Shoaib Akhtar has lashed out at Pakistan’s poor fielding performances in their 2023 World Cup game against Australia, which saw them drop three crucial chances in Bengaluru on Friday (October 20).

World Cup debutant Usama Mir was guilty of dropping David Warner on ten in the fifth over of the innings, letting go of a sitter off Shaheen Afridi’s bowling. The opener was yet to find his rhythm till then, but maximised his second life, going on to make 153 more runs, off 124 deliveries.

The dropped catch was criticised by the on-air commentators, with Matthew Hayden, Simon Doull and Waqar Younis questioning Mir’s technique. Warner was given another lifeline in the 33rd over, with Mir being at the receiving end the second time.

Mir bowled a short ball to Warner, who miscued a pull towards mid-wicket. A running Abdullah Shafique got both hands but failed to hold on, with the ball also going for a four. Warner was on 105 at the point.

Two overs later, Steve Smith was dropped, with Mir involved in this incident again. He was the bowler when Smith drew forward to play the leg-break delivery. He managed an outside edge to Babar Azam at slip, but the Pakistan skipper was not able to successfully complete the catch.

Unlike Warner’s drop, which proved costly for Pakistan, Smith’s did not. Smith, on one at that point, was out for seven, caught and bowled by Mir. By the time Smith was dismissed, Australia had made 284 in 38 overs, with only Iktikhar Ahmed managing to stall the run flow.

Akhtar lashed out at the poor fielding efforts, saying the fielders should hold on to the catches given by the batters if the bowlers are having a bad bad. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “As it is, you’re not able to create opportunities. Atleast grab the ones which batters are giving.
Come on guys, you cant drop so many catches!!!!!!”

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