Hardik Pandya’s Top Bowling Spells Against Pakistan

Hardik Pandya has established himself as one of India’s most crucial assets in T20 Internationals, especially in high-stakes matches. Known for his ability to break crucial partnerships and deliver under pressure, Pandya has consistently performed in some of the most intense cricketing moments. His all-round capabilities, especially his sharp and disciplined bowling, have made him a go-to option for captains in crunch situations.

Hardik Pandya’s Overall T20I Bowling Statistics

Mat	Inns	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wkts	BBF	Avg	Eco	SR	4w
102	91	269.5	3	2205	86	4/16	25.63	8.17	18.8	3

Pandya’s performance against Pakistan, in particular, has been outstanding. His ability to step up in high-voltage India-Pakistan clashes has seen him deliver some of his best spells. Let’s delve into four of his top bowling performances against Pakistan.

Hardik Pandya’s Top Bowling Spells against Pakistan

1) 3/8 in Asia Cup 2016

In the Asia Cup 2016 match against Pakistan on February 27 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Hardik Pandya played a pivotal role in India’s five-wicket victory. His spell of 3.3 overs, where he conceded just 8 runs and took 3 wickets, was instrumental in dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Pandya’s first breakthrough came with the dismissal of Shoaib Malik, who was caught by MS Dhoni for just 4 runs. This was a key moment in the game, as Malik was one of Pakistan’s most experienced players and was expected to anchor the innings. Following this, Pandya dismissed Mohammad Sami and Mohammad Amir in quick succession, both clean-bowled. His efforts restricted Pakistan to a paltry total of 83 runs, which India chased down, albeit with some initial struggles.

The turning point of the match was Malik’s dismissal, which triggered a collapse from which Pakistan could not recover. Hardik Pandya’s disciplined bowling ensured India’s dominance, setting the tone for their successful campaign in the tournament.

2) 3/25 in Asia Cup 2022

In the Asia Cup 2022 match against Pakistan on August 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Hardik Pandya delivered a match-winning performance that helped India secure a 5-wicket victory. His spell of 4 overs yielded 25 runs and 3 crucial wickets, which played a significant role in restricting Pakistan to 147 runs.

Pandya’s first wicket was Iftikhar Ahmed, caught by Dinesh Karthik after scoring 28 runs. This dismissal broke a developing partnership that was threatening to propel Pakistan to a big score. The turning point came when Pandya dismissed Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s top scorer with 43 runs, caught by Avesh Khan. Rizwan’s wicket significantly reduced Pakistan’s chances of posting a competitive total. Pandya then removed Khushdil Shah, caught by Ravindra Jadeja for just 2 runs, further denting Pakistan’s innings.

Pandya’s all-round performance, which included an unbeaten 33 during India’s chase, earned him the Player of the Match award, solidifying his reputation as a clutch performer in crucial games.

3) 3/30 in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022

In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 clash between India and Pakistan on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Hardik Pandya delivered another crucial bowling spell, contributing to India’s thrilling 4-wicket victory.

Pandya’s 4-over spell, conceding 30 runs while taking 3 wickets, was instrumental in halting Pakistan’s momentum. His first wicket was Shadab Khan, caught by Suryakumar Yadav after scoring just 5 runs. This wicket came at a critical time when Pakistan was attempting to rebuild after losing their top order. Pandya then dismissed Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz in quick succession, both caught by Suryakumar Yadav and Dinesh Karthik, respectively. These wickets prevented Pakistan from posting a more challenging total.

The turning point was Shadab Khan’s dismissal, which triggered a middle-order collapse, limiting Pakistan’s ability to push for a higher score. Pandya’s all-round contribution, including 40 runs off 37 balls during India’s chase, was crucial in securing the victory.

4) 2/24 in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 during the 19th match of Group A between India and Pakistan at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, Hardik Pandya’s spell of 4 overs, conceding 24 runs and taking 2 wickets, played a key role in India’s narrow 6-run victory.

Defending a modest total of 119, Pandya’s first wicket was Fakhar Zaman, who had been building momentum with 13 runs off 8 balls. Fakhar’s dismissal, caught behind by Rishabh Pant, was crucial in breaking Pakistan’s rhythm. Pandya then removed Shadab Khan, who was caught behind for 4 runs, further derailing Pakistan’s chase.

The turning point was Fakhar Zaman’s wicket, which swung the momentum back to India. Pakistan, who were 73-3 at the time, struggled to recover as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Pandya’s ability to deliver under pressure ensured India’s victory in this high-stakes encounter.

Hardik Pandya’s Bowling Statistics Against Pakistan

Mat	Inn	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBF	Avg	Eco	SR	4w
7	6	21.3	156	13	3/8	12.00	7.25	9.9	0

Hardik Pandya’s ability to perform under pressure and deliver match-winning performances makes him an invaluable asset for India in T20 Internationals, especially against arch-rivals Pakistan. His top bowling spells, particularly against Pakistan, have often turned the tide in India’s favor, showcasing his importance as a bowler in high-stakes games. His overall T20I and Pakistan-specific bowling stats further underline his effectiveness and consistency as a bowler who thrives in big moments.