• Abdullah Shafique dropped Mitchell Marsh's catch on Day 3 of the MCG Test.

  • Mark Waugh passed scathing comments on Shafique's sloppy fielding.

Mark Waugh takes a sarcastic jibe on Abdullah Shafique for his dropped catch of Mitchell Marsh – AUS vs PAK, 2nd Test
Mark Waugh on Abdullah Shafique (Image CC - Twitter)

Table of Contents

Pakistan cricketer Abdullah Shafique found himself under intense scrutiny following a lackluster fielding performance in the ongoing second Test of their tour to Australia. The 24-year-old’s blunder particularly glared as he dropped a crucial catch of Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh during the second innings. Shafique’s mishap occurred in the first slip, further magnifying the impact of the missed opportunity. Adding to the moment’s weight, Aussie cricket legend Mark Waugh, who was in the commentary box, couldn’t resist himself from delivering a sarcastic jibe aimed at Shafique.

Abdullah Shafique drops a sitter

Although Pakistan initially asserted control, claiming four Australian wickets for a mere 16 runs in the second innings, the momentum took a pivotal turn as Marsh, renowned for his counter-attacking approach, sought to relieve the pressure imposed by the pacers. In an attempt to execute a cover drive against a fuller delivery from Aamer Jamal, the right-handed batter’s shot produced an outside edge.

While the catch opportunity appeared routine, Shafique’s unexpected fumble left his teammates and bowler Jamal in disbelief, resulting in the missed chance to secure a crucial wicket for Pakistan.

Also WATCH: David Warner bids farewell to MCG; gifts his batting gloves to a young fan – AUS vs PAK, 2nd Test

Mark Waugh’s remarks

Present at the commentary box during the incident, Waugh candidly critiqued Shafique’s slip-catching technique. The former expressed his lack of confidence, stating that he wouldn’t be at ease relying on the right-handed batter and humorously likened the situation to being a seagull on a hot chip. He playfully suggested that, at that moment, Shafique seemed more like a backstop than a reliable slip fielder.

“Like a crocodile jaw trying to take a catch. Get him out of there. I wouldn’t be relaxed if I was relying on Shafique! I would be like a seagull on a hot chip! There is one bloke, you wouldn’t be relaxing standing next to. Sorry Shafique! At this moment he is a back-stop,” Waugh said.

Also READ: Australia dressing room picture surfaces; R Ashwin and two other India players feature as best spin all-rounders

TAGS:

CATEGORY: Abdullah Shafique Featured Mark Waugh

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
AVIRAL SHUKLA
Aviral is a passionate cricket writer with an unbridled love for sports. Armed with a Master's degree in Journalism, Aviral possesses a unique blend of expertise in the realm of cricket and exceptional writing and communication skills.With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the game, Aviral has crafted insightful articles, match analyses, and opinion pieces that resonate with cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His ability to encapsulate the drama, strategy, and emotions of cricket matches in his writing sets him apart in the world of sports journalism.Aviral's dedication to cricket extends beyond his writing; he's always eager to engage with fellow cricket lovers. You can reach out to Aviral at aviral.shukla@crickettimes.com for collaborations, queries, or just to share your thoughts on the game. Additionally, you can connect with him on Twitter via his handle, @aviralcric, where he actively shares his insights, opinions, and the latest updates from the cricketing world.