IND vs PAK: Fans Salute Hardik Pandya's Match-Saving Innings Of 87 Against Pakistan In Asia Cup 2023

Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan resurrected the Indian innings after they were tottering at 66/4 with India losing their top four wickets with literally nothing on the board against Pakistan. India won the toss and opted to bat first in this much-hyped encounter.

Their innings derailed after the first rain break as Pakistan came back to take four wickets. Shaheen Afridi picked up Rohit Sharma (11) and Virat Kohli (4) in quick succession. Haris Rauf then dismissed Shreyas Iyer (14) and Shubman Gill (10) to push India back further.

From 66/4 Hardik Pandya and Kishan joined hands and added a 138-run stand to bring India back in the game. The partnership was broken finally by Haris Rauf who dismissed Kishan for 82. Hardik Pandya scored his 11th ODI fifty while Kishan scored his seventh and perhaps his most crucial one.

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Hardik Pandya continued on his merry way to reach 87. Just when he was looking at his ominous best, Shaheen Afridi came back into the innings. He dismissed Pandya with a slower delivery which was an intelligent changeup.

X Praises Hardik Pandya’s Crucial Innings Against Pakistan

What a comeback by India….!!!!

66 for 4 to 266 for 10 – all thanks to Hardik & Ishan – game on, after an off day from the top order batters. pic.twitter.com/IT70FTaxSP

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) September 2, 2023

TAKE A BOW, HARDIK PANDYA…!!!

87 in just 90 balls with 7 fours and a six. Under pressure against arch rivals, Hardik has stepped up massively under pressure. What a player, take a bow! pic.twitter.com/TteqQAn1jz

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 2, 2023

In India vs Pakistan matches

• Batting average
Hardik Pandya – 41.85
Babar Azam – 31.25

• Bowling average
Hardik Pandya – 18.5
Shaheen Afridi – 19

IT'S OKAY TO BE UNIQUE pic.twitter.com/C5TVKghhEt

— B` (@Bishh04) September 2, 2023

India will accept any total from here on with open arms. At one point, even crossing 200-run target was a monumental task. These innings from Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya will be remembered for long. ?? #INDvsPAK #AsiaCup2023

— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) September 2, 2023

me apologizing to hardik pandya for all the previous trolling pic.twitter.com/FnEZpppx18

— Neeche Se Topper (@NeecheSeTopper) September 2, 2023

Nothing, just Hardik Pandya entering the dressing room. ????#HardikPandya #INDvPAK #AsiaCup23 pic.twitter.com/ilsZJjJgBO

— X (@Prisha_33) September 2, 2023

Hardik Pandya, those boundaries are crunchier than a papad. Eat that 7-run per over run machine.

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) September 2, 2023

Some 80s are Better and Greater than 100….#INDvPAK #SachinTendulkar #HardikPandya #IshanKishan pic.twitter.com/LbdB4Swco6

— ʜᴏᴛ ? ᴘᴏᴛᴀᴛᴏ (@Hot_x_Pot) September 2, 2023

Surely worst of the characters but best of the players, Hardik Pandya. pic.twitter.com/NZFPgvXfUQ

— David. (@CricketFreakD3) September 2, 2023

Why always Hardik Pandya ?

Hardik Pandya deserved Century here!
Well Played, Hardik!#INDvPAK | #AsiaCup23 pic.twitter.com/6ltLE9iimh

— ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) September 2, 2023

India was 66 for 4 ,

Then Ishan Kishan & Hardik Pandya Showed their Real Talent & did a partnership of 137 runs.

ISHAN Score 82 & Hardik score 87.

India Set the Target of 267

Finishing by Bumrah #IndvPak #AsiaCup23 #AsiaCup2023 #IshanKishan #HardikPandya #INDvsPAK #Bumrah pic.twitter.com/APBEykd6wz

— KAPIL DEV TAMRAKAR ????? (@kapildevtamkr) September 2, 2023

Pandya chipped the ball straight to Shadab Khan failing to read the slower delivery. India lost the wickets of Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur quickly after Pandya’s dismissal thus losing the momentum in the end overs. Interestingly, India lost all their wickets to seam as they dominated the Pakistan spinners and took them around the park. India were finally bowled out for 266.

India and Pakistan have faced each other 13 times, with India leading the race with 7 wins, while Pakistan have 5 wins next to their name. The last time Pakistan won in ODIs against India was in the 2017 ICC Championship Trophy final.

Pakistan have already won their first game against Nepal and need one more win to advance to the Super 4s. Meanwhile, this is India’s first game of the campaign and a must-win one.