India all-rounder Hardik Pandya set the tone with the ball, removing Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan for a duck in the high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo on February 15. Defending a competitive 175 for 7, India needed early breakthroughs — and Hardik delivered within the first over.
On the fourth ball of the innings, Hardik banged in a short-of-length delivery, tempting Farhan into the pull. The opener failed to control the shot, top-edging it towards mid-on, where Rinku Singh completed a simple catch. It was a clinical start from India, immediately pushing Pakistan onto the back foot in a pressure chase.
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Hardik capped off the over in style, finishing with a wicket-maiden — a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket, especially in an India vs Pakistan encounter. That early burst not only dented Pakistan’s momentum but also energised the Indian fielding unit under Colombo lights.
No sixes, no documentary? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai 🤐
Hardik Pandya 🤝 Rinku Singh
ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK | LIVE NOW 👉https://t.co/SpqYo6n3dL pic.twitter.com/2YlRIY60pv
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 15, 2026
While Hardik is widely celebrated for his explosive batting, this performance underlined his value as a big-match bowler. With Farhan’s wicket, he achieved a notable milestone — becoming the leading wicket-taker in India-Pakistan T20 World Cup clashes. He moved past former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan and Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, both of whom had six wickets each in these marquee contests. Hardik now sits alone at the top with seven scalps.
Zooming out further, Hardik’s dominance extends across T20Is against Pakistan, where he remains India’s highest wicket-taker in the rivalry with 16 wickets — a testament to his knack for stepping up in high-pressure fixtures.
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Earlier in the evening, Hardik had endured disappointment with the bat, falling for a first-ball duck. But as seasoned observers know, elite all-rounders find ways to influence the game. On this stage, Hardik responded with the ball, once again proving why he remains one of India’s most reliable match-winners in global tournaments.
