Team India cricketer Hardik Pandya’s all-rounder brilliance powered the team to victory in a thrilling encounter against Pakistan on Sunday, August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He showed great composure in the crunch situation in the final over to take India home. His video of a confident nod to Dinesh Karthik went viral on social media following India’s win.
Chasing 148 runs, India was in a spot of bother, after losing four wickets for 89 runs. Hardik Pandya walked out to bat to partner Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. The duo looked in good touch taking on the Pakistan bowlers. Hardik slammed three boundaries in the 19th over to take India to 141 runs, needing seven runs off the final over. In a severe blow, India lost Ravindra Jadeja on the first delivery of the over to Mohammad Nawaz.
Dinesh Karthik, who came out to bat at number seven, took a quick single off the next delivery. India needed six runs off the final four deliveries with Hardik Pandya on strike. Hardik tried to make room on the third delivery and hit the ball over off-side, but couldn’t find the gap. With pressure mounting, Hardik Pandya looked composed at the crease. He confidently nodded to Dinesh Karthik, indicating that the situation was under his control.
Watch the video here:
https://twitter.com/swatic12/status/1563958263645110272?s=20&t=39lajLcdOYjHJRY3Bg5fmQ
Hardik Pandya earns ‘Player of The Match’
The all-rounder smacked a six on the next delivery to finish off the match for India. He remained unbeaten on 33 runs off 17 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six at a strike rate of 194.12. India won the match by five wickets to open their account on the 2022 Asia Cup points table.
Hardik Pandya also put up a great show with the ball in the first innings against Pakistan on Sunday. He dismissed the well-set Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Khushdil Shah in the innings. The pacer finished the match with bowling figures of 3/25 in four overs at an economy rate of 6.2. He earned the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.