A comical moment ensued off the pitch which was even funnier a few moments after the remarks were made during the second ODI between Australia and Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval. Wasim Akram, who had Brad Haddin as a co-commentator on an Australian radio broadcasting network, was rhetorically asked by another co-commentator, James Brayshaw, as to the reason behind there being a majority of dismissals during Akram and Waqar Younis’ time being LBWs and bowled-outs.
This question was raised during the break between the third and fourth overs of the first innings. With a straight face, which made the response even more comical, Akram replied that the duo were sceptical of the fielders with the slip-cordon providing the same old reason of the ball not being visible whenever they shelled a chance.
However, three deliveries later Shaheen Afridi dropped an absolute sitter at deep backward square-leg off a hook which was middled by Matthew Short. Attempting to hold on to the ball with the reverse-cup technique, the ball burst through his hands leaving Naseem Shah on his haunches.
Wasim Akram told us he couldn’t trust his fielders, and the very next ball… 🫣 pic.twitter.com/iZpa4rvhRx
— Triple M Cricket (@triplemcricket) November 8, 2024
Akram’s take on the dropped catch was that Afridi failed to judge the height of the ball, and that it could have completely altered the complexion of the match had the chance been held on to.
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Rizwan achieves special milestone as Pakistan cruise to nine-wicket triumph
Contrary to Akram’s predictions, the missed opportunity did not really cost Pakistan. Short was dismissed soon after and so did the entire Aussies, courtesy of the potent duo of Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan. Rauf combined with the wicketkeeper-captain to account for four of his five dismissals. Rizwan equalled former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed’s record of the most number of catches (6) taken by a wicket-keeper for Pakistan in an ODI.
The Pakistani openers kickstarted proceedings in blazing fashion as Australia had no answers to their dynamic batting. Despite Saim Ayub missing out on a well-deserved ton, it was Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam who guided their team across the line with 23.3 overs in the bank.
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