It’s interesting that Rashid Khan, a bowler who can change the game in any format and in any situation, went wicketless in T20Is against India before their Super Eight match. But in his third Twenty20 International match against India, he not only got rid of the dangerous Rishabh Pant, who had hit four fours, but he also claimed his first-ever T20I wicket against the explosive Indian side.
This happened in the seventh over of the game, which was Rashid Khan’s first over after the powerplay. India managed to amass 47/1 from the first six overs, which was comparatively productive. In the last over, which produced 13 runs, Pant hit three of his four boundaries off Nabi, looking like he was going to have a big knock.
Rashid charged into the attack and showed off his incredible strength right away, bursting through the crease with all of his fervour. In his first five deliveries, he let up just three runs, even after a leg-bye that ended up on the boundary by accident. Pant was dismissed after a dubious shot decision. He attempted a reverse-sweep but misread the length of the delivery and was caught lbw. This proved to be the crucial ball in his over.
Seemingly desperate, Pant chose to contest the ruling upstairs, but when the third umpire verified his dismissal, he returned disappointed to the pavilion. The delivery was predicted by the ball-tracking system to hit the off-stump.
This was the leg-spinning all-rounder’s maiden wicket against India, who ultimately ended up completing his quota despite being his team’s best bowler with outstanding numbers of 3/26.
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