Few batsmen carry enough confidence from the team management to keep playing after three consecutive ducks, especially in Pakistan. Yet, the Men in Green stuck with Saim Ayub for the India clash in Dubai on Sunday, but had to pay for it by losing the services of Fakhar Zaman early on.
Pakistan got off to the ideal start against India in their first Super Four encounter as an Abhishek Sharma dropped catch on the third ball of the innings was followed by Fakhar Zaman banishing Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries in the marquee pacer’s first over. The veteran batter was promoted back to opening the innings, despite garnering success at number four, after his predecessor Saim Ayub failed to score a single run in the first three matches of the tournament. However, just when the experiment seemed to have paid off, Pandya executed a sly plan to perfection to once again leave his rivals downs in the dumps.
Pandya was greeted by Fakhar in the third over with a stout defence followed by a clearing off the front leg for an audacious slap through the covers for a boundary. With momentum on his side, the opener tried to raise the tempo further on the following delivery by charging down the tracks. But Pandya was more than wary and cleverly ran his fingers across the ball during release to take some pace off the delivery, resulting in a 128ks off-cutter. Fakhar was completely bamboozled by the variation, but a tight fourth stump line meant he had to play at it. All that culminated in a timid late push reeking confusion, leading to a thick edge that was collected nearly off the ground by Sanju Samson. Nevertheless, replays showed that his fingers were well underneath the ball and Fakhar was given the signal to walk, even though he seemed to vehemently disagree with the verdict.
Twitter was all over the incident.
Why sanju?!
First Wicket!
Hard+Hit Pandya 🇮🇳
Fakhar Zaman returns after Sanju Samson holds on to a difficult catch behind the wickets off Hardik Pandya.#IndiaVsPakistan #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/GIPfw73CyN
— Asia Voice 🎤 (@Asianewss) September 21, 2025
What a catch by Sanju Samson, absolute stunner 💪🥶 #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/DcWVEHV56p
— VIKAS (@Vikas662005) September 21, 2025
Brilliant!
Superb!
Wicket keepering wicket by Sanju Samson.
What a catch even the best wicket keeper cannot catch that.
All credits goes to Sanju Samson. pic.twitter.com/H035c4K373
— Abhishek Kumar (@Abhishek060722) September 21, 2025
Sanju samson >>>> ❤#INDvPAK #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/VR2uD4OGvZ
— Devendra (@Devendra786s) September 21, 2025
Superb one!
Yeah!
That was definitely a clean catch by Sanju Samson. The 2nd angle clearly showed it but let Pakistani players and fans cry as usual.💗🧤 pic.twitter.com/taqQGT8Gie
— . (@kadaipaneer_) September 21, 2025
That was a Clear Out Catch by Sanju Samson ✅️
Not sure why some fans are Questioning the Umpire’s decision 🥱#AsiaCup #Indvpak
— irrelevant (@xdpqd) September 21, 2025
Hardik pandya!
HARDIK STRIKES EARLY! 🇮🇳🔥
◾ Sharp take by Sanju Samson after a long TV umpire check ✅
◾ Fakhar departs for 15(9) – Pakistan lose an opener in the Powerplay again!
◾ Perfect start for India in Dubai 🌟#INDvPAK #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/fzYVjf3sQE
— Yogesh Goswami (@yogeshgoswami_) September 21, 2025
Clear out!
How was that out! The ball is hiting the ground and juming into the hand of sanju samson! It’s not out! I was shocked😳😳😳 there is no way #PakVsInd #roberry pic.twitter.com/8FOuYnWsWA
— pedro (@shawaiz_cheeema) September 21, 2025