Hardik Pandya gave India an ideal start against arch-rivals Pakistan in their high-intensity Asia Cup 2025 encounter in Dubai on Sunday, September 14. The all-rounder struck with his very first legal delivery, removing opener Saim Ayub for a golden duck after starting the over with a wide.
Pakistan suffered an early setback, losing their first wicket with just one run on the board as Ayub faltered in his maiden outing against India. The dismissal came off a back-of-a-length delivery outside off that moved away slightly. Attempting to punch it on the rise, the left-hander only managed to offer a straightforward catch to Jasprit Bumrah at point.
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That seemed quite easy 😅
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This marked Hardik Pandya’s 14th wicket against Pakistan in just his eighth T20I against them. Overall, it was his 95th wicket in 116 T20I innings. Among Indian players, he now sits third on the list of leading wicket-takers in the format, behind Arshdeep Singh (99) and Yuzvendra Chahal (96).
Pandya has also been highly impactful with the bat in T20Is. The right-hander has scored 1812 runs in 90 innings at a strike rate of 141.67, which includes five half-centuries.
Hardik Pandya And Jasprit Bumrah Put India On Top Early Against Pakistan
Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah provided India with early breakthroughs to put them in control against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 clash. While Pandya struck first, Bumrah dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris for just three runs off five balls.
At the time of reporting, Pakistan, led by Salman Agha, were struggling at 13/2 after 2.3 overs, with Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman at the crease. Suryakumar Yadav’s Team India enter the match riding high on a dominant nine-wicket victory over the UAE in their tournament opener.
The defending champions will look to extend their winning momentum as they eye a place in the Super 4. This clash also marks their first ICC meeting with Pakistan since the 2025 Champions Trophy.
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