Watch: Imam-ul-Haq dropped a sitter of a catch off Kusal Mendis in Pakistan’s second 2023 World Cup match against Sri Lanka today (October 10), costing vital runs as Mendis went on to make a half-century.
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Pakistan struggled first up against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad after being asked to field first. Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled an untypically wayward first spell, with Hassan Ali finding the only breakthrough of the powerplay. At 34-1 after six, Shaheen had conceded 22 of those runs of his first three overs.
Coming on to bowl his fourth, his early work was made more frustrating by Imam’s mistake. He sent a full ball down to Mendis, who was on 18 at the time, which the No.3 looked to flay away into the off side. However, he sliced it straight to Imam at point, at around chest height.
The ball went quickly and was at an awkward height but should have been taken by Imam. He got both hands to it but the ball burst through his fingers and looped behind him, allowing the batters to pick up a single.
To make matters worse, Mendis went on to make an imperious half-century off 40 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. Mendis has now registered back-to-back fifties in the tournament, after reaching the milestone off just 25 balls against South Africa in Sri Lanka’s tournament opener.
Sri Lanka went on to reach 127-2 after the first 20 overs of their innings, looking set to make a big total.
Watch: Imam-ul-haq drops Kusal Mendis
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