[WATCH]- Hardik Pandya Removes Saud Shakeel To Restore India’s Control

India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya dismissed Pakistan’s well-set batter Saud Shakeel, securing a crucial breakthrough for the Men in Blue. The arch-rivals are currently battling in their group-stage clash of the 2025 Champions Trophy at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

After removing the openers early, India’s bowlers struggled to make further inroads. Although Pakistan’s batters also found scoring difficult, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel held their ground, building a solid 104-run partnership off 144 balls.

Axar Patel eventually broke the stand by dismissing Rizwan, and Pandya soon added to the momentum by removing Shakeel. In the very next over after Rizwan’s departure, Pandya delivered a short ball outside off, tempting Shakeel into a pull shot.

The Pakistani middle-order batter mistimed his shot and couldn’t clear the fielder, as Axar Patel took a well-judged catch at deep midwicket.  You can watch the video here:

https://x.com/starsportsindia/status/1893631100356100308?s=46

Prior to Shakeel, Hardik Pandya took the crucial wicket of the dangerous Babar Azam

Hardik Pandya made a significant impact in the high-stakes clash against Pakistan, delivering India’s first crucial breakthrough by dismissing star opener Babar Azam for just 23 runs in a tense powerplay phase.

The wicket came at a crucial moment, as Babar was beginning to settle at the crease. However, Pandya sent him back before he could build momentum, putting pressure on the Pakistani batting lineup. As a result, their scoring rate slowed significantly after the first powerplay.

Despite the setbacks, Rizwan and Shakeel teamed up to stabilize Pakistan’s innings. However, both fell in back-to-back overs as Axar and Pandya struck. Ravindra Jadeja soon joined the wicket-taking spree, claiming his first scalp of the day by dismissing Tayyab Tahir with an unplayable delivery.

At the latest update, Pakistan stands at 197/5 after 42 overs.

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