Watch: Hardik Pandya gave Babar Azam a cheeky send-off after dismissing him cheaply in the 2025 Champions Trophy Group A match between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday (February 23).
After opting to bat first, Pakistan were off to a decent start, scoring 37 runs without losing any wicket after eight overs. Babar started the ninth over from Pandya with a delectable cover drive. Pandya was searching for some outswing but the full length of the delivery helped Babar to cream it to perfection.
Off the second ball, the India all-rounder dragged the length back while keeping the line the same. The slight away movement was enough to mess up Babar’s attempted cover drive, resulting in the Pakistan batter snicking the ball behind to wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
Having redeemed himself immediately after being hit for four, Pandya gave Babar the "bye bye" send-off as Babar walked back to the pavilion for a 26-ball 23.
Match 5, Pakistan vs India
vs
- Ball by ball Over
Another wicket soon followed in the next over. A needlessly risky single led to the downfall of Imam-ul-Haq as Axar Patel, at mid-on, hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end to dismiss the southpaw opener for 10 off 26, leaving Pakistan at 47-2 in 9.2 overs.
Also read: Babar Azam needs more than just runs – he needs a change of mindset
Watch Hardik Pandya dismiss Babar Azam:
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