Hardik Pandya and Pakistan batter Usman Khan were involved in a dramatic moment during the India vs Pakistan clash in New York. The incident happened during the 9th over of Pakistan’s innings when Mohammad Rizwan defended a short delivery from Hardik Pandya. The ball was a bit far from the fielders and it was an opportunity for the batters for a quick single.
However, Mohammad Rizwan’s hesitation made the non-striker, Usman Khan, panic. The ball was in the path of Usman, and Hardik quickly reached out to collect it. As a result, the two batters collided, causing Usman to lose his balance. Pandya swiftly grabbed the ball and hurled it towards the stumps, but missed the target
Usman Khan had no chance to return to the crease, and if the ball had hit the stumps, he would have been out. However, the dismissal would have raised questions over Hardik Pandya’s sportsmanship, as many Pakistan fans on social media criticized Pandya for attempting a run-out after nearly making Usman Khan trip.
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However, despite the lifeline, Usman’s innings didn’t last long as he was dismissed in the 11th over, scoring just 13 runs. It seemed a tough wicket to bat on, and after Usman’s dismissal, Pakistan lost more wickets in the following overs. With Jasprit Bumrah cleaning up the well-set Mohammad Rizwan, the match started slipping from Pakistan’s hands.
Pakistan required 18 runs off the last over, but Arshdeep Singh conceded only 11, securing a 6-run victory for India. With this win, India climbed to the top of the Group A table with 2 wins in 2 games. On the other hand, after losing 2 games, Pakistan will have to go all out in their remaining two matches against Ireland and Canada.