Pakistan’s fielding has been typical in World Cup 2023. They have failed to hold on to catches, misfielded on the boundary, and have often thrown wide off the stumps to cause overthrows and comedy of errors. The clash against Afghanistan was not different. At MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Pakistan needed their fielders to support the bowlers as Afghanistan openers took the attacking approach in the run chase. But Pakistan fielders let their team down as their ground fielding was below par.
The trend was set in the third over when the throw was not accurate and Mohammad Rizwan could not stop it. It led to Ibrahim Zadran scoring three runs. Pakistan fielders did not commit themselves in the field and at times even avoided diving.
Even skipper Babar Azam allowed easy singles. In the 12th over, Hasan Ali overran and the ball bounced over the ropes. In the 16th over, Shadab Khan did not get support from Shaheen Afridi as he overran and the ball raced towards the boundary.
Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur was livid with the poor fielding display as he was animated outside the dressing room. Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan was left embarrassed too as he tried to hide his face with the glove. In Shadab's next over, Zadran got another boundary as Ali put in a dive but could push the ball back into play while sliding. By this time, Arthur was frustrated and he went inside in the dressing room.
However, Usama Mir had his chance at redemption and he took it with both hands. Mir took Rahmanullah Gurbaz's catch running from the third man. Afridi broke the opening partnership that lasted 21.1 overs and put 130 runs on the board. Gurbaz scored 65 runs from 53 balls including nine fours and a six.
Earlier, Babar won the toss and opted to bat first. Half-centuries from opener Abdullah Shafique, Babar, and 40-run knocks from Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed helped them post 282/7. In the middle overs, they could not score freely. 18-year-old Noor Ahmad was exceptional on his World Cup debut as he took three wickets from full quota of 10 overs.
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