Asia Cup 2022 Championship: Hardik Pandya's redemption, top debutants for India and Pakistan
Ten months since Shaheen Shah Afridi's memorable spell dismantled India's top-order in the T20 World Cup, and today India's pace attack bounced back to dismiss Pakistan's line-up. While both the teams gave in their hundred percent, Hardik Pandya found an edge with his redemption as an all-rounder
Arshdeep Singh: top debutants for IndiaIn 2018, it was Dubai International Stadium, India vs Pakistan, when Hardik Pandya was stretched off the field after suffering a back injury, giving birth to fitness issues. And now, on the same ground, against the same team, the all-rounder put behind all the scars to win the Man of the Match award, giving a stunning performance with bat and ball.
With his stunning short-pitch bowling, the star all-rounder dismissed three key players, including Pakistan's leading run-scorer Mohammad Rizwan. Even with the bat, walking in at a tense position, he finished the game for India with a winning six by laying a phenomenal knock of 33 off 71 balls. His redemption will be remembered for a long time, and India hopes his form will prevail until the World cup 2022.
Apart from Hardik's redemption, the two debutants impressed with their spell-bounding performances are Naseem Shah and Arshdeep Singh.
Naseem Shah
Naseem Shah took his first step in actualising his promise on Sunday in Dubai right from his first over. The 19-year-old youngster took his maiden T20I wicket in the form of KL Rahul on his second ball of the first over. He even crafted a stunner to trap Virat Kohli but was missed by Fakhar Zaman at the second slip.
Later he even trapped the big wicket of Suryakumar Yadav by beating him with pace. In the end, he returned with figures of 2/27 but what won the hearts of cricket fans was his spirit of bowling a sensational over despite getting cramps and kept Pakistan's hope alive in the game.
Arshdeep Singh
The left-arm seamer's performance was long-awaited to be seen in the mega-event after his impressive stint in IPL and international debut last month.
Per expectations, he played a crucial role alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar in powerplay and death overs. Though he could control the flow of runs in the powerplay, he was smashed heavily by Shahnawaz Dahani, which took his economy rate to 8.60. His intent and calm composure earned veterans' praise even after being hit for a few runs. He returned with figures of 2/33 in 3.5 overs.
After performing so well in the mega event, team India will have more expectations from him as the leading bowler if in plans for the World Cup.