 "IND vs PAK: Kuldeep Yadav strikes twice in as many balls as Pakistan continue to crumble in Dubai")
For the second time in as many matches in the ICC Champions Trophy, an Indian left-arm spinner found himself on the verge of a hat-trick. After finger spinner Axar Patel missed out on the elusive feat by a whisker against Bangladesh on Wednesday, it was wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav who struck twice in as many deliveries during India's Group A showdown against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday.
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The middle-order pair of Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah were building a steady partnership that was starting to look threatening for the Men in Blue. The two all-rounders were doing a decent job at rebuilding the innings after Pakistan had lost three wickets in quick succession in the middle overs, starting with Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal off Axar’s bowling.
Kuldeep produces another moment of magic, puts India on top
Kuldeep, however, tilted the balance of the game in India’s favour by striking twice in as many deliveries in the 43rd over, shortly after being brought back into the attack. Agha was the first to depart as he got a thick leading edge while attempting to smash the 30-year-old out of the park, with Ravindra Jadeja completing a fine catch near cover point after putting in a slide.
Shaheen Afridi departed the very next ball as he missed a googly by Kuldeep and was rapped on the pad right in front of off as he shaped to defend. The lanky pacer tried reviewing, but ended up burning a review after getting three reds on Hawk-Eye.
Unlike Axar, Kuldeep wasn’t able to generate a chance in the hat-trick delivery as Naseem Shah safely negotiated the final delivery of the 43rd over, at which point Pakistan’s score read 200/7.
Dubai Dispatch | Pakistan need Babar, Rizwan and pacers in top form to surprise India but even that may not be enough
Earlier in the day, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to bat, resulting in India setting a new world record by losing the toss for a 12th consecutive time in ODIs.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsFor the Men in Green, the ongoing match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is a must-win affair as they had lost their opening match against New Zealand by 60 runs . India, on the other hand, had defeated Bangladesh by six wickets with nearly four overs to spare.
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