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Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique‘s poor performance in the field continued as he missed yet another straightforward catch during the ongoing Boxing Day Test. Abdullah Shafique dropped a simple chance offered by Mitchell Marsh during Australia’s second innings.
The Pakistan cricket team scored 264 runs in their first innings at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), conceding a marginal lead of 54 runs to the opposition team. Abdullah Shafique emerged as the top scorer for his team, accumulating 62 runs off 109 deliveries.
Pakistan maintained a firm grip on the proceedings as Australia faltered at 16-4. Shaheen Afridi took the wickets of Usman Khawaja (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (4) before the lunch break. Mir Hamza dismissed David Warner (6) and Travis Head (0) on consecutive balls.
Watch – Abdullah Shafique Drops Mitchell Marsh’s Catch On Day 3
In the second session of Day 3, Abdullah Shafique missed an opportunity to dismiss Mitchell Marsh, limiting the hosts to 46-5. Aamer Jamal induced an edge from Marsh in the 16th over. Although Marsh attempted an expansive drive, he failed to make a solid connection.
The ball flew towards the slips, but Shafique missed the straightforward chance. Salman Agha, at second slip, failed to react promptly, letting the ball slip through his hands after Shafique’s error. The dropped catch turned out to be a costly mistake for Pakistan.
“It’s like a crocodile jaw trying to catch a ball.”
Abdullah Shafique hands Mitch Marsh a life on 20 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/NMlTKHn3t5
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2023
The partnership between Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh has flourished, with Australia’s lead approaching the 200-run mark. Marsh, awarded Player of the Match in Perth, completed his third consecutive half-century in the ongoing series.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (w), Agha Salman, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza
Abdullah Shafique Had Dropped David Warner’s Catch In the First Innings
In the first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, Abdullah Shafique missed a straightforward opportunity, providing Australia’s opener, Usman Khawaja, with a lifeline. The Pakistan fielder failed to judge a simple running catch and faced criticism for his ordinary efforts.
He went on to miss an opportunity to dismiss David Warner in the first innings of the second Test match. Shaheen Afridi created a golden chance against the left-handed batter. Shafique, who retained his position at first slip, failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
That Was Regulation, Under-10s – Mark Waugh
Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh expressed surprise at Abdullah Shafique’s dropped catch during the opening Test. Waugh emphasized that such mistakes should not happen against any team, particularly not against Australia.
“That was regulation, on any level of cricket, park cricket, under-10s. It looked like the first catch he’s ever tried to take. You can’t do that. Not against any team, let alone Australia,” Waugh said on-air, as quoted by Fox Sports.
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