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Cricket fans around the world tuned in to witness the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023, taking place at the iconic R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. As expected, emotions ran high in this intense Super 4 encounter, but it was Pakistan’s fielding woes that took center stage and caught the attention of netizens worldwide.
Notably, the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the most fiercely contested and followed battles in the world of sports. The two cricketing giants were facing off for the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, and the stakes are high as both teams are aiming to secure a crucial victory in this Super 4 clash.
Winning the toss, Pakistan’s captain opted to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on favourable conditions early on. However, things did not go according to plan for the Pakistani side. India’s opening duo, skipper Rohit Sharma and young sensation Shubman Gill, came out with guns blazing.
Rohit and Gill, displaying exquisite timing and aggressive intent, launched an all-out assault on Pakistan’s pace attack right from the start. Their partnership flourished, amassing an impressive 60 runs within the first 10 overs, setting the tone for India’s innings.
Missed opportunities plague Pakistan
While Pakistan’s bowlers managed to create opportunities to break the partnership, it was their fielding that let them down. The first instance of Pakistan’s fielding woes occurred on the very first ball of the second over, bowled by Naseem Shah. Gill, attempting an aggressive shot, got a thick edge, but Shaheen Afridi at third-man reacted slowly, failing to reach the ball in time, and Gill was given a lifeline.
Naseem found himself unlucky again in the eighth over when Gill attempted another forceful shot. This time, the edge flew rapidly towards the slip cordon, placing the onus on the slip fielders. Unfortunately, confusion reigned supreme as Iftikhar Ahmed at first slip made no attempt to react, while Mohammad Rizwan hesitated before moving to his right. The hesitation and miscommunication between the slip fielders allowed the ball to sneak through, leaving Naseem utterly disheartened.As the fielding lapses continued to pile up, cricket enthusiasts and netizens took to social media platforms to voice their opinions.
Also READ: Asia Cup 2023 – Here’s why India batter Shreyas Iyer not playing today’s match against Pakistan
Here is how netizens reacted to Pakistan player’s sloppy fielding:
This is just Vintage Pakistan fielding
They didn't even try for the catch 🤣 #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/Caj71oCbFV— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) September 10, 2023
Follow the plan!
Plan: Gill ka catch choro …. 3 chokay khao …. Repeat!#indvsPak pic.twitter.com/AXHuew1pdj— Arsalan Naseer – CBA (@ArslanNaseerCBA) September 10, 2023
It's always been that one catch pic.twitter.com/1BcKoLyvBr
— فیضان (@faizanriaz7_) September 10, 2023
Can't blame the bowler when the slip-fielders don't go for a catch #PAKvIND #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/IeZ0Rrqxdn
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) September 10, 2023
catch flights not fieldings pic.twitter.com/JhmYh9gMzf
— Xavier Uncle (@xavierunclelite) September 10, 2023
Naseem Shah after every edge is missed and catch is droppedpic.twitter.com/jFkBNfeC7r
— S A A D (@SaadSays22) September 10, 2023
Both were waiting for Rizwan to catch this one too🤡 pic.twitter.com/PfhnQmZbg2
— Mirza Wasiq (@wasiqhasandps) September 10, 2023
Kuch cheeje kabhi nahi badalati.
This is just Vintage Pakistan fielding They didn't even try for the catch 🤣#IndvsPak 🏏 #IndiavsPak#IndiavsPak #AsiaCup #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/3kSr7Qh1vR
— Tripti / तृप्ति (@xTripti) September 10, 2023
Chacha please catch the ball not 🐓
#AsiaCup2023
#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/SAcLDIfPLT— Bilal Khan (@yousafzi_001) September 10, 2023
gill after his catch got dropped pic.twitter.com/TR0rCfAEjN
— ꜱʜᴢ (@umerrooo) September 10, 2023
Everything is temporary but Naseem Shah being unlucky is permanent
A simple catch missed 😭 #PAKvIND #IndiavsPak #INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/eJ53259SJx— SAAD 🇵🇰 (@SaadIrfan258) September 10, 2023
THIS IS HERITAGE pic.twitter.com/oaq7U22Lpa
— c (@gayomarlic) September 10, 2023
Catch in the Slips.
Le Paki Fielders: pic.twitter.com/KQ7WuPvfY6— ZAMAN (@zamannx) September 10, 2023
Yes that’s how I catch hints pic.twitter.com/XfXIcjBDer
— Bateman (@baldaati) September 10, 2023
Saeed Ajmal everytime Pakistani fielder drops a catch https://t.co/mQUuIlwSSC pic.twitter.com/sGYKeBvC5i
— Hass (@GokboruWolf) September 10, 2023
This is just Vintage Pakistan fielding
They didn't even try for the catch 🤣Nothing Change 😂😭#INDvsPAK #ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/ZN24gpVjjB
— 𝘈 (@ItsAayan_69) September 10, 2023
PAK fielding😭😭😂😂
It was a regulation Slip catch
Why did Rishwan even go for the catch and then duck?😂😂 pic.twitter.com/fxJ0GiS83T
— msd_stan (@bdrijalab) September 10, 2023
What nonsense!!! How can they miss this catch????
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) September 10, 2023
Kuch cheeje kabhi nahi badalati.
This is just Vintage Pakistan fielding They didn't even try for the catch 🤣#IndvsPak 🏏 #IndiavsPak#IndiavsPak #AsiaCup #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/3kSr7Qh1vR
— Tripti / तृप्ति (@xTripti) September 10, 2023