Once again, Pakistan's fielding has become a laughing stock in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. Usually, one of the best fielders is stationed at point or backward point position as the ball travels fast often as the batters throw the kitchen sink at the ball. However, this time Kusal Mendis had not hit the ball well and Imam-ul-Haq had to take an easy catch down his throat but he made a mess of it. He dropped the catch and looked comical while doing it as he tried to get hold of it on the rebound.
Fans’ reaction to the dropped catch
The fans did not hold back as they commented below the video of the dropped catch posted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on their Instagram page. A fan wrote,” Parampara pratishta anushaasan!” It is a dialogue from Amitabh Bachchan from the Bollywood movie Mohabattein. Another user commented, “It would have been more shocking..if caught”. Another user was not surprised by the dropped catch as he wrote, "It's just a normal day for Pakistan".
It took place in the seventh over of Sri Lanka's innings after Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat first. Shaheen Afridi was bowling from around the wicket to Mendis. He bowled it full and outside off stump. Mendis went for the square drive but ended up slicing to Imam. Usually, the Pakistan opener is not the fielding in that area and Shadab Khan can be seen charging. Skipper Babar Azam was furious as the opportunity was missed.
The dropped chance turned out to be costly. Mendis was batting on 18 when his catch was dropped. After the early wicket of Kusal Perera, Mendis shared a crucial 102-run partnership for the second wicket with Pathum Nissanka.
Later, Babar rectified his mistake as Abdullah Shafique replaced Imam. Shafique repaid the skipper's faith by taking a catch of Nissanka in the same position. The in-form Mendis completed his half-century from just 40 balls. He accelerated and reached his century from just 65 balls. He attacked Pakistan's bowling attack in the middle overs as the ball did not do much in Hyderabad.
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