Hardik Pandya gave team India a much-needed breakthrough to dismiss well-set Imam Ul Haq during India’s third match in World Cup 2023 against Pakistan. The Pakistani opening batters laid the foundation for the team by scoring quickly until Mohammed Siraj claimed the wicket of Abdullah Shafique who scored 20 runs while partnering with Imam. Hardik Pandya added cherry to the cake by Imam-ul-Haq on 36 runs.

Hardik Pandya’s celebration after claiming the wicket of Imam quickly went viral on social media. Hardik Pandya waved a “bye-bye” to Imam, which caught social media attention.

https://twitter.com/balltamperrerrr/status/1713131254026252757?s=20

Twitter quickly stormed with trolls and reactions to Hardik’s gesture. The fans seemingly enjoyed the non-verbal gesture by Hardik to Imam, igniting the rivalry between the two cricketing nations.