In a stunning turn of events during the IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was dismissed for a golden duck, marking the first time he has ever fallen first ball in T20 internationals. The early setback came as a surprise to fans, considering Pandya’s reputation for delivering crucial performances in high-pressure matches. His dismissal immediately became one of the talking points of the game.

The match, highly anticipated due to the historic rivalry between India and Pakistan, saw both teams vying for dominance from the first over. Pandya, who has often been a game-changer with both bat and ball, was expected to provide India with a strong start. However, his early exit put additional pressure on the Indian batting lineup, giving Pakistan a momentary edge and setting the tone for a tense contest.

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हार्दिक पांड्या आए और गए पहली बॉल पर ही कैच दे बैठे!#HardikPandya #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/LluMyWCCjV

— Ashutosh shukla (@Ashu9621101476) February 15, 2026

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Saim Ayub Strikes at the Perfect Moment

Saim Ayub has been the bonus bowler for Pakistan in this high-stakes clash. He stemmed the flow of runs by taking the crucial wicket of Ishan Kishan, and then came back to dismiss Tilak Varma, just as India looked ready to mount their final assault. Varma was beaten on the sweep and departed for 25 off 24 balls, putting pressure back on the Indian lineup.

Hardik Pandya’s Golden Duck – A Shocking Blow

With the innings at 126 for 4 in 14.3 overs, Hardik Pandya walked in aiming to take control, as he has done in recent matches. But Ayub delivered a brilliant carrom ball, inducing a thick outside edge from Pandya’s attempted six. The ball flew to long-off, and Pandya was dismissed for a golden duck, leaving India reeling at a critical juncture.

Ayub almost pulled off a sensational hat-trick, producing a perfect delivery that looped, dipped, pitched, and turned past Shivam Dube’s defensive bat before bouncing over the stumps. The extra bounce and sharp execution had fans holding their breath, but the chance went begging. Pakistan’s review on a catch at the wicket revealed that the edge was missed by a significant margin, keeping the hat-trick elusive.

Ishan Kishan’s Brave Knock Comes to an End

Earlier, Ishan Kishan played a great innings on a difficult pitch, scoring 77 off 40 balls. He tried to play a risky shot and got out. The strategy of holding back Usman Tariq worked well for Pakistan. Just after hitting Saim Ayub for four with a reverse pull, Kishan stepped back to play a normal shot, but the ball was slightly too full and hit the top of leg stump.

Still, Kishan’s innings helped India reach about 20 runs above par for these pitch conditions. At the time of his dismissal, India were 88 for 2 in 8.4 overs.