In the ongoing three-match Test series between Australia and Pakistan, the latter’s fielding performance has been widely criticized. The deficiencies in their fielding were evident in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, particularly during the pre-lunch session on Day 2.
David Warner, playing his farewell Test, had an opportunity to capitalize on a significant innings. However, in the 14th over of the match, fast bowler Aamer Jamal delivered a ball that caught Warner off guard, resulting in a tentative poke and an outside edge.
The ball flew at a comfortable height to Saim Ayub in the slip cordon, who, despite making his Test debut just a day earlier, failed to capitalize on what seemed like a straightforward catch. Babar Azam, positioned at second slip, could only express his dismay with hands on his head.
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It's happened again! 😲
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2024
David Warner gets a life courtesy of the debutant Saim Ayub #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/VAr7bBis6L
This drop by Ayub allowed Warner to continue his innings, eventually scoring 34 runs off 68 balls with four fours before being dismissed by Agha Salman in the pre-lunch session. Although Ayub missed the chance, Babar Azam did not, ensuring that Warner’s innings was eventually curtailed.
Warner had also received a lifeline in the previous Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when Abdullah Shafique dropped him in the slip cordon. The partnership between Warner and Usman Khawaja yielded 70 runs for the opening wicket off 24.3 overs. The significance of these dropped catches raises concerns about Pakistan’s fielding consistency throughout the series.
In the absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was rested for the Sydney Test, Pakistan’s bowlers have been unlucky with key moments slipping through their fingers due to fielding lapses. The drop by Saim Ayub at the SCG echoes a pattern of missed opportunities, emphasizing the need for improvement in Pakistan’s fielding standards.
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