Cricket fans spotted something unusual during Pakistan’s recent clash with Hong Kong in Dubai. Players Nashra Sandhu and Eymaan Fatima were seen sporting footwear from the One8 collection, a brand founded by Indian superstar Virat Kohli. This unexpected cross-border fashion choice quickly became a major talking point across various social media platforms during the tournament.
The shoes in question were the One8 Cover Drive 18X models, which belong to the business venture Kohli launched several years ago. Last December, the brand became part of Agilitas Sports, a company where the former Indian captain reportedly invested approximately $4.4 million. It is a rare sight to see athletes from these two rival nations sharing apparel, yet the performance on the pitch soon took centre stage over the gear.
Sandhu Delivers a Record-Breaking Performance
Despite the buzz surrounding her choice of cleats, Nashra Sandhu remained focused on the task at hand. The left-arm spinner produced a masterclass in bowling, finishing with incredible figures of six wickets for just seven runs. This effort was officially recognized by the ICC as the first six-wicket haul ever achieved by a Pakistani woman in the T20I format.
Her clinical efficiency completely dismantled the Hong Kong batting lineup, which eventually crumbled for a total of 71 runs in the 19th over. Sandhu’s historic spell eclipsed the previous national record held by Omaima Sohail, who once took five wickets for 13 runs. It was a dominant display that reinforced Pakistan’s defensive capabilities ahead of the knockout rounds.
Building Momentum for the Semi-Final Matches
Pakistan’s batting unit also showed signs of improvement during the match at the Dubai International Stadium. Shawaal Zulfiqar led the way with a composed 47 runs off 35 deliveries, while captain Fatima Sana contributed a useful 24. Ayesha Zafar added a solid 26 runs to the total before chipping in with a wicket of her own to help secure the 72-run victory.
This result was a necessary morale booster following a difficult loss to India just a few days prior. In that earlier encounter, the Pakistani side was dismissed for a meagre 55 runs, a target that India chased down with ease. Bowlers like Shree Charani and Prema Rawat did most of the damage for the Indian squad, leaving Pakistan to settle for the second spot in Group A with four points.
With their place in the next round secured, Pakistan is now preparing for a high-stakes semi-final showdown against Sri Lanka this Friday. Meanwhile, India will face Bangladesh in the other half of the bracket to determine who reaches the final. While the footwear choice might have raised eyebrows, the focus remains firmly on the pursuit of a championship title in Dubai.