Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub triggered a dramatic shift in momentum during the 15th over of India’s innings in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Ayub struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce India from a strong position to 125 for 4. On 14.2, Tilak Varma was trapped leg before wicket for 25, missing his sweep as the ball straightened from around the wicket. The on-field decision was upheld, and Varma departed after facing 24 balls.
Two deliveries later, Hardik Pandya fell for a golden duck. Attempting to attack the spinner, Pandya miscued a lofted shot off a wide delivery outside off. The ball ballooned towards long-off, where Babar Azam completed the catch cleanly. The dismissal left Ayub on a hat-trick.
Shivam Dube walked in to face the hat-trick delivery and survived. Ayub bowled a probing ball that turned sharply, beating Dube’s outside edge. Pakistan reviewed for a possible edge, but UltraEdge showed no contact, and the decision remained not out.
The sequence halted India’s acceleration and briefly shifted pressure back onto the batting side after a dominant start earlier in the innings.