IND vs PAK: – Hardik Pandya’s mocks Haider Ali after dismissal during high-voltage T20 World Cup encounter

eam India is playing its first match of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan in Melbourne on Sunday (October 23). The match at Melbourne Cricket Ground is taking place exactly a year after the Men in Green secured their first-ever win over India in World Cup history last year in Dubai. And in a complete turnaround from that game, this time the Men in Blue are all over Pakistan.

India had a dream start to the game when Arshdeep Singh, in his first two overs, got rid of both Pakistani opening batters, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. They were both on fire against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup match, but on Sunday, they were a complete disappointment

he 22-year-old youngster is one of the most talented batters in the Pakistani team and was impressive in the side’s last game against New Zealand during the recently concluded tri-series. But in the high-voltage match against India, he was unable to do much and was sent back for just two runs from four balls.

He attempted to play a big shot against Hardik Pandya but was unable to clear the ropes and was caught by Suryakumar Yadav. After Surya completed the catch, Hardik was seen passing a cheeky smile to Haider, and this reaction went viral on the internet.

The India-Pakistan clash is always a game that involves a lot of enthusiasm, and players express their emotions on the field. Hardik Pandya produced an amusing moment in the World Cup game against arch-rivals mocking Haider Ali while taking a walk back to the pavilion with a sarcastic smile.

Taking on arch-rivals Pakistan in their tournament opener, India have done a decent job while bowling first thus far. Pakistan reached at 106/5 after 15 overs, and the pacers were turning out to be impressive for the Indian team. Arshdeep Singh has made a mark with his impressive World Cup debut, while Hardik Pandya also chipped in with a couple of wickets. However, Hardik’s actions after the dismissal were more noteworthy than the actual dismissal. 

Hardik came to bowl in the 14th over for his second of the innings. Haider Ali was facing the last delivery of the over to bulldoze the Indian bowlers with some power hitting. Hardik pitched the ball on a good length spot, and the batter attempted to whack it over mid-wicket. It was a miscued shot, and Suryakumar Yadav caught an easy catch in the deep to send the batter back to the pavilion. 

Haider was walking back to the pavilion and then Hardik Pandya came up with a cheeky response. While the batter was returning, Hardik mocked him with a sarcastic smile. Hardik’s reaction was due to an identical dismissal of Shadab Khan, whom he got in the same manner earlier in the over. Fans expressed their joy at the amusing exchange between the two and flooded it with their reactions. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli will form the top order
• Kohli seems in form, and Rohit Sharma would want to make his experience count
• Rahul and Rohit’s responsibility at the top would be to see off the new ball bowlers

The incident happened in the 14th over of the match when Ali (2 runs), who just came into bat following the departure of dangerman Iftikhar Ahmed (51), miscued the last ball of Pandya’s over high but not far enough to Surkyakumar Yadav standing at long on for a regulation catch.