Top 5 bowling performances in international cricket by Lakshmipathy Balaji

#4 3/22 vs Pakistan at Colombo, 2012

Balaji got 3 wickets against arch rivals Pakistan in the 2012 World T20

After winning all their group games at the 2012 ICC World T20, India were on the backfoot after losing to Australia in their opening Super Eight match and needed to win their next match against Pakistan to keep their hopes in the tournament alive.

Indian pacer, Balaji was recalled to the playing eleven. Pakistan skipper Mohammad Hafeez opted to bat first and India were off to a good start after getting rid of the hard-hitting Imran Nazir in the second over.

However, Shahid Afridi promoted himself up the order and was beginning to settle down on the pitch before Balaji got the better of him.

Balaji prevented Pakistan from scoring too many runs on the board and eventually helped India bowl out Pakistan for a paltry 128.

He came to bowl in the death overs and took the key wicket of Umar Gul, who had helped Pakistan snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in their previous match against South Africa, before getting the final wicket of Saeed Ajmal.

India comfortably chased down 129 thanks to Virat Kohli’s 78 off 61 balls to keep their hopes in the tournament alive.