4th T20I: Hardik, Dube power India to big total after Saqib Mahmood's historic feat

Team India stars hit half-centuries to lead the hosts' comeback after pacer's triple wicket maiden

- AGENCIES

Hardik Pandya (53) and Shivam Dube (53) produced a counter-attacking partnership to rescue India from a precarious position and push them to a competitive 181/9 in 20 overs after Saqib Mahmood's (3 for 35) against England in the fourth T20I at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

The final 10 overs saw a remarkable turnaround, with the duo stitching together a crucial stand, launching a blistering attack on England's pace battery before late wickets halted the momentum.

Jofra Archer began the proceedings with a lively first over, conceding a six and a four to Abhishek Sharma. However, it was Saqib Mahmood who stole the show, registering a historic triple-wicket maiden, the first-ever in men's T20 internationals.

Sanju Samson (1), Tilak Varma (0), and Suryakumar Yadav (0) all fell in quick succession, leaving India reeling at 12/3 in two overs. Samson guided a rising delivery straight to deep square leg, Varma sliced his first ball to Archer to deep-third man, and Suryakumar chipped a catch to short mid-on, playing right into England's well-set trap.