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Watch: Faheem Ashraf takes one-handed screamer at slip to stun Steve Smith right before stumps

by Wisden Staff March 12, 2022 - 1:13pm 2 minute read

Watch: Faheem Ashraf pulled off a brilliant catch in the slip cordon to dismiss Steve Smith late on day one of the Karachi Test against Australia to give Pakistan a big breakthrough late in the day.

After his dismissal on 78 in the last Test, Steve Smith had expressed his disappointment at not being able to make a hundred on a flat track that was eventually given a “below average” rating by the ICC. On day one of the second Test at the National Stadium in Karachi, Smith seemed to be making up for that with a flawless half-century, only for him to be denied a century again, this time on 72 by a fabulous take in the slips by Faheem Ashraf late in the day.

Having just finished a three-over burst late in the day, Faheem was at second slip for the penultimate over from Hasan Ali when the chance came his way. Smith went chasing at a back of a length delivery around the fifth stump and the edge flew low to Faheem’s left in the slips. Diving low to his left, Faheem completed a spectacular catch to see the back of Smith for 72.