Shoaib Akhtar, Furious at Fielders, Chopra Launches 'Dil Dil Pakistan' Dig
Fielding has long been the weakness of the Pakistan cricket team, and that same was again exposed against the legendary Australian fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who slammed the Babar Azam-led team Pakistan, while farmer cricketer Aakash Chopra launched a sly dig using the ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ remarks made by Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur earlier.
Pakistan players dropped multiple catches. Usama Mir was the first guilty party as he dropped a dolly to give a massive lifeline to David Warner when the opener was batting at 10. He would go on to smash 163 runs to haunt the bowling attack of Pakistan.
However, Mir redeemed himself by taking a catch on Mitchell Marsh, but not before the latter had scored his maiden World Cup century. The spinner also nearly trapped Steven Smith, but skipper Babar dropped a catch while fielding at first slip.
While Smith was later dismissed on 7 and the dropped catch by Babar didn’t prove too costly, Akhtar was not at all pleased by the fielding display. Akhtar lamented the missed opportunities by Pakistan’s fielders on social media.
Akhtar wrote on X, “As it is, you’re not able to create opportunities. At least grab the ones that batters are giving. Come on guys, you can't drop so many catches!
Chopra meanwhile urged the DJ at Chinnaswamy Stadium to play ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ following the slack effort from Babar’s side.