Follow UsIndia arguably boast the most destructive top-order in T20Is, piling up ridiculous numbers in the powerplay since the 2024 T20 World Cup. That’s why what Oman’s Shah Faisal pulled off against them in the Asia Cup 2025 in Abu Dhabi on September 19 (Friday) feels nothing short of extraordinary.
The tall left-arm seamer became the first Associate bowler ever to bowl a maiden over in the powerplay against India in T20Is. And if that wasn’t enough, the 28-year-old also knocked over Shubman Gill’s off stump with a peach of an inswinger.
After India chose to bat, left-arm spinner Shakeel Ahmed kept things tight with just six runs in the opening over. Faisal was then handed the ball for the second over and he made it count.
He started with two dot balls to Gill before going full, swinging it back late and sneaking through the right-hander’s lazy drive. Gill walked back for just 5, extending his comeback struggles in the ongoing Asia Cup. He has managed 50 runs in three innings so far in the tournament.
Sanju Samson was promoted to No.3 but looked just as clueless. Faisal’s movement off the deck had him beaten on the inside edge twice, and struck on the pad once, to close out a maiden.
For someone playing only his third T20I, Faisal pulled off what even many world-class bowlers have failed to do - shut out India’s ruthless top-order with a maiden over in the powerplay.