NEW DELHI: It was at an intimate dinner hosted by Irfan Pathan That a young, dynamic Hardik Pandya He was first introduced to an idol – Waseem Jaffer. Years later, the Indian all-rounder’s admiration for the domestic stalwart has grown further, with Pandya once again naming Jaffer as his cricketing idol at the Naman Awards.While Jaffar represented India only 33 times, his legacy was forged in domestic cricket, where he scored nearly 20,000 first-class runs in an illustrious 25-year career.
Recalling his first interaction with Pandya, Jafar went back to 2014-15. Ranji Trophy season, when Mumbai faced Baroda and Pandya was still a budding talent.Speaking on his Instagram profile, Jafar said: “I first met him in the 2014 or 2015 Ranji season. Mumbai was playing Baroda in Baroda. Irfan (Pathan), Yusuf (Pathan), and Manaf (Patel) were playing in the opposing team. I wasn’t playing that match because I was injured, but I traveled with the team.”Jafar said I remember we went to Irfan’s house for dinner and that’s when I met Hardik and Krunal for the first time. “Irrfan told me, ‘Meet Hardik, he is going to play very soon.’ And I think he picked it up. Mumbai Indians That season itself.”At the time, Pandya was just beginning to make a name for himself, but his admiration for Jafar was already clear.“Irfan told me that he is a big fan of mine. Hardik himself said, ‘I watch your batting a lot and I like your style of playing a lot’ (I watch your batting a lot and I like your playing style).’Jaafar said that it is very good of him that he still mentions my name in front of big stars. And that’s why there are so many reports about Wasim Jaffer who he is. “People often hear other names, but they probably don’t remember Wasim Jaffer because I made a name for myself in first-class cricket.”
