Pakistan’s long-standing struggles in the field were once again laid bare as they fell 18 runs short against Afghanistan in the ongoing tri-series in Sharjah. Chasing a modest target, Pakistan collapsed to 82/6, with Afghanistan’s spinners tightening their grip through the middle overs.
The 18-run loss not only handed Afghanistan a memorable win but also reignited scrutiny of Pakistan’s fielding standards, which have come under increasing criticism in recent years.
Sloppy Fielding Highlights
Two moments summed up Pakistan’s performance in the field: a straightforward catch dropped by Mohammad Nawaz and a series of misfields, including five costly overthrows early in the game. These incidents were not isolated but part of a broader trend that has dogged the men in green.
Startling Fielding Statistics
The numbers reveal how deep-rooted the problem has become:
- Dropped catches since 2024: 48
- Misfields: 89
- Missed run-out chances: 98
Among 41 international teams analyzed, Pakistan rank in the bottom three for each of these categories. Their catching efficiency stands at just 81.4%, placing them joint-eighth out of the 12 ICC Full Member nations. Only West Indies have recorded more misfields in this period.
Rauf Dismisses Criticism
Earlier in the week, pacer Haris Rauf was visibly irritated when a journalist questioned Pakistan’s fielding. Rauf defended his team, saying:
“I think you might not have watched the match properly. We didn’t make such mistakes in our fielding. Maybe if you review it again, you will see that the match actually looked good.”
Afghanistan’s Spin Seals the Win
While Pakistan’s fielding woes dominated headlines, Afghanistan deserved credit for a clinical performance. Sediqullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran built a strong platform with the bat, before Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad each claimed two wickets to seal victory.
The win not only boosted Afghanistan’s tri-series campaign but also highlighted how far Pakistan need to go to fix their recurring fielding lapses.
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