Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya PC-AP

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was thrilled with the outcome of the India vs Pakistan match on Sunday.

On Sunday, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Hardik Pandya stands tall in India’s five-wicket win against Pakistan

While chasing 148, Hardik was unbeaten on 33 off 17 balls and forged a crucial partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (35 off 29 balls), the duo added 52 runs for the fifth wicket, a massive factor for the Rohit Sharma-led side in the victory.

IND vs PAK: Hardik Pandya Made His Presence Felt In Both Innings - Shahid Afridi
Hardik Pandya. PC- Getty

Jadeja was promoted up the order in the absence of Rishabh Pant. He and Pandya carefully navigated the scoring rate after India were reeling at 89/4 inside 15 overs. It was because of the tight bowling from Naseem Shah (2/27) and Mohammad Nawaz (3/33) that kept India at bay in one stage. 

Hardik Pandya made his presence felt in both innings: Shahid Afridi

Hardik smashed three boundaries off Harris Rauf in the penultimate over to get India closer to the margin. With seven runs needed in the last over, Nawaz castled Jadeja on the very first ball.

Nawaz bowled a dot ball to Hardik on the third delivery to mount the pressure, but the Indian all-rounder, nonchalantly, launched him for a six over long-on to snatch the game with two balls to spare.

Read More  Shubman Gill punished heavily by BCCI after glaring error by the Gujarat captain vs CSK

“When 2 strong teams play a big match and take it down to the last ball, then you know the fans have won as well because that’s what we want to see, a battle that is worth watching. @hardikpandya7 made his presence felt in both innings. Good display of skills by naseem and nawaz,” Afridi wrote on his official Twitter handle.

Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi (Image Credit: Twitter)

Hardik also supported senior bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/26) during India’s bowling. Hardik used the bouncer precisely to get his wickets in the middle order.

He finished 3/25 and dismissed Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah as Pakistan were shot down to 147 in 19.5 overs.

India will play their next match of the Asia Cup 2022 on August 31 against Hong Kong at the same venue.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: “I Try To Keep Things Simple”- Hardik Pandya After India Beats Pakistan By 5 Wickets In Asia Cup 2022