The Pakistani fielding effort turned back the clock in the Asia Cup 2022 final on Sunday against Sri Lanka as they dropped two crucial catches of Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who later made them pay heavily.
Pakistan’s fielding had generally been good in the tournament until the final; they had made a couple of excellent catches in the Super 4 round, and barring some misfielding – which also could be because of the dew – their fielders had done well.
But, in the all-important game of all – the final – they panicked under pressure.
Pakistan give two lives to Bhanuka Rajapaksa
Their bowlers had given them a desired start – Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took three Sri Lankan wickets in the powerplay. Sri Lanka further lost two more wickets, including skipper Dasun Shanaka, and were reeling at 58/5 inside 9 overs, staring down at a low total and a defeat in the final.
However, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, perhaps their best batsman, stepped up and, in support of Wanindu Hasaranga, carried Sri Lanka to 170. The muscular left-hander plundered 71 runs off 45 balls and Hasaranga assisted with 36 runs off 21 balls. Rajapaksa, though, was also given two lives – when he was on 46 and 51.
The first chance went begging in the 18th over when Rajapaksa mistimed his hit to an off-cutter delivery from Haris Rauf and the ball travelled to long-off where Shadab Khan settled himself under the ball, however, spilt the catch.
Again, in the next over, Shadab Khan was involved in the second catch drop of Rajapaksa. The left-hander slogged a delivery from Hasnain towards deep mid-wicket where Shadab and Asif Ali both went in the catch and collided – and, comically, Asif also parried the ball over the boundary; what should have been a wicket turned into a six!
Fans on Twitter trolled Asif Ali mercilessly and he hilariously not only dropped the catch but also parried it for a six.
You can watch the video here:
Just Pakistani things.
Pak back in fielding form.#PAKvsSL #AsiaCupT20 pic.twitter.com/yIT1HBEiUK— Shiva Sanatani (@ShivaHindu_17) September 11, 2022
Rajapaksa made Pakistan pay heavily for these two blunders as he smoked a four and a six in the last over of Naseem Shah to take Sri Lanka’s total to 170.
