T20 World Cup: Hardik Pandya cheekily smiles at Haider Ali after dismissing him at the MCG

Hardik Pandya had the last laugh when he dismissed youngster Haider Ali in the blockbuster ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Super 12 clash at the MCG on Sunday, October 23. Haider looked to play a cameo and help the Men in Green in posting a challenging total but that was not to be. 

On the final delivery of the 14th over, Hardik bowled a length ball around the middle and Ali attempted to go for a big slog across the line. There was no proper connection whatsoever as the ball went a long way up in the air and Suryakumar Yadav did not make any mistake in completing a good catch at deep mid-wicket.

Meanwhile, Pandya stood at the bowlers' end with both arms around his waist and smiled at the youngster who was running to the non-strikers' end as if to signal that his plan to dismiss him has worked successfully. As soon as he knew that he was gone, Haider put his head up in dismay, turned behind and walked back to the dugout. 

With only Shan Masood out in the middle, no other batter could give him much support barring Iftikhar Ahmed as Pakistan struggled in the first innings.

Watch the video here.

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— Vaishnavi Iyer (@Vaishnaviiyer14) October 23, 2022

Coming back to the contest, only the number three batter Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed showed a fighting spirit after Pakistan lost skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan early on. Both scored vital half-centuries and were involved in a crucial 76-run stand for the third wicket. Their knocks combined with a solid cameo from tail-ender Shaheen Afridi helped Pakistan in surpassing the 150-run mark and Pakistan posted the target of 160 runs for India. India, with some of the best in business, would be looking up to finish the game with ease at MCG.