UAE’s rising cricket talent, Zohair Iqbal, recently took to Instagram to share a lighthearted moment with Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, capturing a fun and engaging exchange between the two. The reel, posted just 12 hours ago, has already garnered over 7,500 likes and is making waves across social media, largely due to Pandya’s immense popularity and the entertaining nature of their interaction.
The Indian cricket team has arrived in Dubai, gearing up for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025. With their opening fixture against Bangladesh scheduled for February 20, preparations have been in full swing.
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The players have been undergoing intense training sessions, with local cricketers like Iqbal assisting them in the nets. It was during one such session that the young UAE cricketer had the chance to bowl to Pandya, leading to a fun and memorable interaction.
Iqbal later shared a video of the moment, in which Pandya, in his trademark witty style, jokingly remarks, “Foreigner hai. Lekin abhi to Australia se aaye hai na? (He is a foreigner. But he has just come from Australia, right?)” before playfully adding, “Dhyaan rakhna (Take care).” The exchange left both players momentarily puzzled, adding to the charm of the clip, which has since gone viral.
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In addition to this fun snippet, Iqbal also posted another video showcasing Hardik’s powerful shot in the nets off his bowling. The young UAE cricketer has been steadily making a name for himself in domestic circuits, participating in various tournaments across Australia, South Africa, and Swaziland, as stated in his Instagram bio. His growing presence in the UAE cricket scene raises speculation about whether he could soon break into the national team.
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Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who also captains the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, will be back in action on February 20 as India takes on Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener. With excitement building up for the tournament, fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing Pandya’s explosive all-round skills on display once again.
