Image Credits: AP
Hardik Pandya delivered a crucial breakthrough for India, dismissing the well-set Saud Shakeel for 62, as Pakistan suffered a major setback in their innings. Shakeel, who had been anchoring the innings, fell victim to Pandya’s tactical brilliance, mistiming a pull shot and offering a straightforward catch to Axar Patel at deep square leg.
The dismissal unfolded in the 35th over, as Pandya cleverly adjusted his length, pulling back slightly while maintaining an outside-off line. Shakeel, looking to capitalize on his form, attempted to take on the delivery but was a fraction too early in execution, causing the ball to balloon into the deep. Moments after Captain Rizwan’s wicket Saud Shakeel was also dropped by Kuldepp Yadav, but Hardik Pandya made up for the loss as he took his second wicket in the form of Saud Shakeel.