During Monday’s clash against Hong Kong, the Pakistani cricket squad caught the attention of fans for reasons beyond their performance on the pitch. Social media was quickly flooded with images of players sporting footwear linked to an Indian icon who has long been a rival on the international stage. This unexpected fashion choice added a layer of intrigue to what was otherwise a standard group-stage match.
Kohli’s Brand Makes an Appearance on Rival Players
Left-arm specialist Nashra Sandhu and batter Eymaan Fatima were spotted wearing Virat Kohli’s One8 Cover Drive 18X shoes during the Women’s Asia Cup game. The match, held at the Dubai International Stadium, saw the footwear go viral before the first innings had even concluded. Supporters from both nations were quick to point out the irony of Pakistani athletes using gear designed by India’s former captain.
Kohli’s involvement with the One8 brand is significant, as he transitioned it into Agilitas Sports late last year. Reports indicate he invested approximately $4.4 million of his personal capital into the venture, serving as both a primary investor and co-founder. The brand has since expanded into diverse markets, including performance footwear and lifestyle apparel, clearly reaching athletes across national borders.
Sandhu Rewrites the Record Books with Career-Best Spell
Despite the chatter regarding her choice of shoes, Nashra Sandhu stayed focused on her primary objective. She delivered a phenomenal performance, taking 6 wickets for just 7 runs over the course of four overs. This feat marks the first six-wicket haul by a Pakistani woman in T20I history, according to official ICC data.
This incredible effort surpassed the previous national record of 5 for 13, which was held by Omaima Sohail. Sandhu’s clinical bowling ensured that Hong Kong’s batting lineup never gained momentum, eventually leading to them being bowled out for a total of 71 after 19 overs.
Pakistan’s Batting Order Delivers a Balanced Performance
Before the bowling unit took over, Pakistan’s batters established a solid foundation by posting 143 for 8. Several key contributors helped build this total:
- Shawaal Zulfiqar led the scoring with a brisk 47 runs off 35 deliveries.
- Captain Fatima Sana provided middle-order stability with a knock of 24.
- Ayesha Zafar contributed 26 runs and later managed to claim a wicket during the defensive effort.
The collective effort from the bowling attack, which saw four other players pick up a wicket each, secured a dominant 72-run victory. This result was a much-needed boost for the team’s morale following a difficult previous match.
Momentum Shifts Toward the Semi-Final Stage
This victory was particularly important given Pakistan’s recent struggles, including a match where India dismissed them for only 55 runs. In that earlier encounter, Indian bowlers Shree Charani and Prema Rawat dominated the Pakistani lineup, leading to a comfortable seven-wicket win for India. Despite that setback, Pakistan finishes the group stage in second place with four points, trailing India’s six.
Looking ahead, Pakistan is scheduled to face Sri Lanka in the semi-finals this Friday at the Dubai International Stadium. Meanwhile, India will take on Bangladesh in the other half of the bracket. With Sandhu in record-breaking form and the batting lineup finding its rhythm, the team appears well-prepared for the high-stakes knockout rounds.
