Haider Ali Played Against India In T20 World Cup: How Did He Perform?

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Rape-accused Pakistan cricketer Haider Ali, who recently made headlines for off-field controversy during the Pakistan Shaheens' UK tour, was also part of one of the most memorable matches in India-Pakistan cricket history - the T20 World Cup 2022 clash at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The high-voltage encounter took place on October 23, 2022, and lived up to the hype surrounding the iconic rivalry. Pakistan, batting first, managed to put up 159 runs on the board. The innings was anchored by Shan Masood and Iftikhar Ahmed, who steadied the ship after early jolts.

Haider Ali, then 21 years old, came in to bat at No. 6. The match was delicately poised when he walked to the crease, but the right-hander could not make an impact. Facing just four deliveries, he managed to score only two runs before falling to Hardik Pandya. His brief stay at the crease added to the pressure on Pakistan, who were looking to finish strongly in the death overs.

India's chase started disastrously, with the scoreboard reading a worrying 31 for 4 in 6.1 overs. Pakistan's pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, had put the Men in Blue on the back foot. But the night belonged to Virat Kohli. In what has been hailed as one of the greatest T20 innings ever, Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 off just 53 balls, rescuing India from a seemingly hopeless position.

The defining moments came in the penultimate over bowled by Haris Rauf, where Kohli smashed two breathtaking sixes to bring the equation within reach. India eventually pulled off a last-ball victory in front of a packed MCG crowd, leaving Pakistan stunned despite a spirited performance.

For Haider, the match remains a missed opportunity to shine on the biggest stage. While his contribution with the bat was minimal, the game itself became an instant classic in T20 cricket history.

Now, with his name embroiled in legal controversy, Haider's on-field moments - including that night against India - are being revisited under an entirely different light.