AUS vs PAK: 'Can't Drop So Many Catches..' - Akhtar Furious at Fielders, Chopra Launches 'Dil Dil Pakistan' Dig

After a massive 7-wicket defeat at the hands of India, Babar Azam-led Pakistan returned to action on Friday, October 20 as they locked horns with Australia in ICC ODI World Cup 2023 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Babar won the toss and elected to bowl first at the venue where big totals are often chased, and the Green Army will need to come up with a special batting performance following their slump while bowling.

Pakistan’s fielding has long been their weakness and that same was again exposed against Australia. Legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar slammed Babar Azam and Co. while former India opener 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 PAK bowling attack.

ODI World Cup Live Score, Australia vs Pakistan

Mir redeemed himself by taking a catch of 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 but Akhtar was not at all pleased by the fielding display. Akhtar lamented the missed opportunities by Pakistan’s fielders on social media.

“As it is, you’re not able to create opportunities. Atleast grab the ones which batters are giving. Come on guys, you cant drop so many catches!!!!!!,” wrote Akhtar on X.

Chopra meanwhile urged the DJ at Chinnaswamy Stadium to play ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ following the slack effort from Babar’s side. Earlier, PAK team director Arthur had claimed that the ODI World Cup 2023 clash against India felt like a ‘BCCI event’ and not a World Cup event since ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ wasn’t played at the venue in Ahmedabad.

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“Koi DJ ko keh kar ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ bajwa do at The Chinnaswamy. Pakistan desperately needs a wicket. It’s a flat track alright but this is fast moving towards 375+ score,” wrote the cricketer turned commentator.

Pakistan failed to break the opening partnership as Mitchell Marsh & David Warner scored the second-highest opening partnership in World Cup history. Shaheen Shah Afridi eventually dismissed Marsh and got Glenn Maxwell on a golden duck to bring his side back into the contest.