Team India all-rounder Hardik Pandya set the stage on fire with his terrific bowling performance against Pakistan in 2022 Asia Cup on Sunday, August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He broke the back of the Pakistan batting attack by striking at continuous junctures in the match. The all-rounder finished the innings with bowling figures of 3/25 in four overs at an economy rate of 6.2.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first. Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck the first blow for Pakistan as he dismissed Babar Azam early in the innings. Fakhar Azam also walked back to the dressing room with 42 runs on the board in the powerplay. Pakistan managed to put up a small partnership of 45 runs between Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammed Rizwan.
However, the partnership was broken by Hardik Pandya, by dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed. He bowled a 142kmph bouncer, which took a faint edge of Iftikhar’s bat, and flew to the wicket-keeper, who jumped to complete a brilliant catch. After Iftikhar Ahmed’s dismissal, the Indian all-rounder struck blows at regular intervals.
An excellent spell from Hardik Pandya 🙌#INDvPAK | #AsiaCup2022 | 📝 Scorecard: https://t.co/mKkZ2s5RKA pic.twitter.com/OIKpMvqEls
— ICC (@ICC) August 28, 2022
In his next over, Hardik Pandya sent back well-set Mohammed Rizwan to the pavilion for 43 runs. The short ball ploy worked again for Hardik, who hit the deck hard and the ball took the edge of Rizwan’s bat and scooped towards Avesh Khan. Hardik also dismissed Khushdil Shah in the same over for 2 runs, to push Pakistan on the back foot in the innings.
Let’s take a look at how fans reacted to Hardik Pandya’s bowling performance:
A fit Hardik Pandya is 24 carat Gold. Key to India’s fortunes in this format. #IndvPak
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 28, 2022
Hardik Pandya backs himself. When he is fit, he changes the balance of any team he is in! Magnificent today
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 28, 2022
Hardik Pandya tonight – 3/25 in 4 overs. What an outstanding spell by Hardik. He's proving again and again why he's such an important member of the team. A world class cricketer currently in the world!
– Take a bow, Hardik! pic.twitter.com/r4wH2I6z3r
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 28, 2022
King Hardik Pandya Supremacy!
🔥🔥 4 – 0 – 25 – 3 🔥🔥
— Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) August 28, 2022
Now playing ▶️ Chin Music Ft. Hardik Pandya 🔥
📸: BCCI | #INDvPAK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/wTSYJUwyCr
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) August 28, 2022
Hardik Pandya's bowling turning out to be too tough to handle for the Pakistan batters. He is troubling them with his pace and bounce.
The future Indian captain leading from the front!#INDvPAK | #AsiaCup2022
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) August 28, 2022
In Asia Cup, 4 years apart. Hardik Pandya – THE MAN of the MOMENT.#INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/XH632KtEng
— Neelabh (@CricNeelabh) August 28, 2022
#hardikpandya you beauty 🫡💪🏼💪🏼
— Aly Goni (@AlyGoni) August 28, 2022
Pandyaaaaaaaaa…!!! 🔥🔥🔥
How zippy is he off the pitch today!
Top man#INDvsPAK @hardikpandya7— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) August 28, 2022
I don’t think South Africa depended on Jacques Kallis for their team balance as much as India depend on Hardik Pandya. He’s a national treasure. #AsiaCup2022
— Rahul Fernandes (@newspaperwallah) August 28, 2022
THREE! WHAT A CRICKETER. @hardikpandya7
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) August 28, 2022
Bhuvneshwar Kumar shines as India bowls Pakistan out for 147 runs
Team India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the bowling unit from the front against Pakistan on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He took four wickets in four overs, conceding just 26 runs at an economy rate of 6.5. The pacer dismissed the big fish Babar Azam early in the innings. He also sent back Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, and Naseem Shah to the pavilion.
Pakistan was eventually bowled out for 147 runs, with Shahnawaz Dahani playing a nice cameo of 16 runs. Arshdeep Singh also took a couple of wickets, while Avesh Khan dismissed Fakhar Zaman in the innings.
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