T20 WC, Hardik Pandya takes three-fer against Pakistan: Key stats
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya recorded a three-wicket haul in the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The right-arm pacer bowled with hostility in the middle overs and tightened India's grip over the game. He claimed figures of 3/30 in his four overs as Pakistan lost momentum out of nowhere. Here we decode his stats in T20I cricket.
Why does this story matter?
Hardik Pandya has been in astonishing form since his return to the Indian team earlier this year. He showcased his class against the Men in Green as well. The speedster utilized the bounce on offer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and took three important wickets. As a result, the Babar Azam-led side posted 159/8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Pandya showcases his magic in middle overs
Pandya's spell was indeed important for India as Pakistan were cruising despite losing their openers early. Shadab Khan was the pacer's first victim of the day as he failed to time a big shot. Pandya then dismissed Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz, pushing Pakistan on the back foot even further. He ended up as the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3/30.
Pandya has thrived in Indo-Pak clashes
This is not the first instance of Pandya troubling Pakistan batters. He has so far taken 11 wickets in six T20Is against the Men in Green (Economy rate: 7.54). While Pandya has three three-wicket hauls against the team, his best figures (3/8) were recorded in the 2016 Asia Cup. Pandya has also scored 44 T20I runs against Pakistan at a strike rate of 151.72.
How has Pandya fared in T20Is?
Pandya's tally of 57 wickets in 74 T20Is is the fifth-highest for an Indian bowler (Economy rate: 8.3). He also has a couple of four-fers under his belt. The dasher also has 989 runs in the format at 25.35 and a strike rate of 148.49. In the T20 World Cup, Pandya has claimed eight wickets and 85 runs in 11 outings.
Pandya has been on a roll in 2022
Pandya has been on a roll since his comeback to the national team earlier this year. So far, he has slammed 436 runs in 20 T20Is this year at an average, and strike rate of 36.33, and 151.38 respectively. With the ball, he has taken 15 wickets with his economy rate being 8.56. Hence, he would be critical to India's success in the tournament.
