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Pakistan's fielding woes continued in their ODI World Cup 2023 warm-up match against Australia at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday, October 3. Their on-field slip-ups was once again on display and became the focal point of fans' discussions and chuckles.
Having won the toss, Australia opted to bat first. While Pakistan managed to maintain a stringent bowling regime, their lackluster fielding resulted in unwanted extras. One such instance highlighting their fielding woes was when Iftikhar Ahmed, in an attempt to intercept the ball, ended up on the ground, allowing the ball to swiftly reach the boundary.
The fielding goof up occurred during the 32nd over's fourth ball when Glenn Maxwell, capitalising on Mohammad Nawaz's delivery, tried a switch hit which led to a bottom edge. Despite Iftikhar's early anticipation and movement to the right, his endeavor to halt the ball ended in a tumble.
Adding to the tally of fielding errors, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Mohammad Nawaz, in their bid to prevent a boundary, collided with each other earlier in the game.
This isn't the first time Pakistan's fielding performance has come under scrutiny. Their track record is marred with similar on-field blunders, often leading to social media trolling and humorous commentary. Their recent subpar fielding display in the Asia Cup 2023 only adds to the narrative.
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Talking about the match, Australia's decision to bat first was met with resilience from Pakistan's bowlers. Key players like David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne were dismissed early on. Yet, Glenn Maxwell emerged as the Australian team's beacon of hope. Having found themselves at a precarious 172/5, Maxwell's aggressive stance, culminating in a crucial half-century, shifted the match's momentum.
For Pakistan, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan took a backseat, with Shadab Khan stepping up as the captain for the day. Though their bowling remained the silver lining, their fielding debacles would undoubtedly be a focal point of introspection. With the main tournament on the horizon, refining their fielding tactics will be paramount for the Pakistani team.
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