Iftikhar Ahmed shifted the momentum in Pakistan’s favour as the team’s advantage against spinners led to a subtly higher run rate and rewarded the batsman with a superb half-century finish. After a sluggish start by the openers tonight, Axar Patel was hammered for 21 runs in his first over.
Skipper Rohit Sharma doubted spinner’s potential on this pitch and he decided to bring back the pacer duo of Shami and Hardik Pandya who were able to take 4 wickets all together.
Shami struck down the significant wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed in the very next over after Axar Patel was smashed for 21 runs.
Hardik Pandya followed Shami’s fierce planning and was able to Shadab Khan, and Haider Ali in the same over as both the catches were taken by Suryakumar Yadav.
Coming back for the 16th over, Hardik Pandya took his third quick wicket, sending back Mohammad Nawaz after Dinesh Karthik completed the formalities behind the wickets.
