Just IN: Hardik Pandya Taken For Scans After Injuring Shoulder vs Pakistan In T20 World Cup 2021

Problems pile up for star India cricketer Hardik Pandya as he has been taken for scans after being hit on his right shoulder while batting against Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai.

Hardik Pandya didn’t take the field during Pakistan’s batting innings and Ishan Kishan substituted for him on the field. Later, the BCCI revealed that the right-hander had left the ground and was taken for scans.

“India all-rounder Hardik Pandya was hit on his right shoulder while batting. He has now gone for scans,” said BCCI, as quoted by ANI.

Hardik Pandya hit by Shaheen Afridi’s bouncer

It was soon made clear by commentator Ian Bishop that Hardik Pandya was down with a shoulder blow, which he had sustained from a short ball by Shaheen Afridi when he was batting during India’s innings.

The video then showed Hardik Pandya clasping his shoulder in pain. In his innings, he scored 11 runs off 8 balls, wherein he stroked a couple of boundaries.

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Already out of form and battling back injury issues – which has rendered him unable to bowl yet – this would be morale-shattering news for Hardik Pandya if his injury is anything serious.

India set a target of 152 for Pakistan

After electing to bowl first, Pakistan were given a scintillating start by ace pacer Shaheen Afridi as he dismissed both Indian openers early on. The left-arm speedster trapped Rohit Sharma lbw in the first over and then castled the in-form KL Rahul in the third over, giving India a nightmarish start.

Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli both smashed a six off Afridi to release some pressure but Yadav edged Hasan Ali to the wicket-keeper. India were left reeling at 36/3 at the end of the powerplay.

The partnership between Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant trickled for the next five overs, before Pant broke his shackles with two one-handed sixes off Hasan Ali. However, Shadab Khan ended Pant’s innings before the left-hander could do further damage.

Kohli then upped the ante a bit, finding boundaries at will across the field, and would bring up his fifty. However, he lost the support of Ravindra Jadeja, who fell to Hasan Ali. Afridi returned to dismiss Kohli (57 off 49) with a short ball in the 19^th over. Haris Rauf accounted for Hardik Pandya as India just managed to cross 150.

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Watch – Shaheen Afridi Castles KL Rahul With A Pearler