The Afghanistan team is widely acknowledged for its pool of talent with exceptional cricketing skills within its squad. However, contrary to that opinion, the Afghan fielders had a disappointing day, much to the frustration of Rashid Khan, who had to endure the ordeal of three dropped catches.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first in the clash against New Zealand. In the 16th World Cup clash, the Kiwis lost Devon Convoy in the seventh over giving the Afghans an early breakthrough. Rachin Ravindra and Will Young carried on a 79-run partnership to bring the Kiwis back on track. Skipper Tom Latham, along with Glenn Philips, took up the batting reins with the scoreboard reading 110/4 and that was when the Afghani fielders began to feel the heat and stumbled on fielding.
In the 39th over, Rashid Khan came on to bowl his 9th over, displaying a strong determination to break the formidable partnership between Latham and Phillips. He was unfortunately left red-faced after Mujeeb-ur-Rehman dropped a one-handed catch, resulting in the ball being pushed away from his hands. Rashid raised his hands in disappointment, as he had missed a chance to dismiss Tom Latham. However later in the 41st over, the same thing happened but with Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shahidi jumped high in the air to grab the catch and unfortunately, the ball slipped past his fingers. The renowned spinner was even more annoyed and stood there speechless and frustrated with his team’s fielding performance.
Twitter was quick and started to criticize the poor fielding by Afghanistan against a solid fielding team like New Zealand.
They dropped it!
Another one!
— Young Gopal (@younggopal467) October 18, 2023
Rashid Khan today in the bathroom. pic.twitter.com/RXhwHVUPMZ
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) October 18, 2023
Tremendous
Rashid Khan has shown tremendous restraint. Lost count of the drops off his bowling. Horrible.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) October 18, 2023
Looks like that!
Way AFG is dropping catches..
seems they have some revenge on Rashid Khan#AFGvNZ— Huzi (@Huzi23043545) October 18, 2023
Rashid Khan gave you two catches in his two overs, if you can’t catch it then it’s your problem what more should Rashid Khan do. #AFGvsNZ
— Fazal Afghan (@fhzadran) October 18, 2023
How?
Itne catch choroge tu match kaise jeetoge ???
feeling sorry for Rashid Khan because he bowled really well but couldn’t supported by fielders at all.#AFGvNZ #WorldCup2023— Shahzaib Khurshid (@ShahzaibKhurs15) October 18, 2023
Bang bang
Rashid Khan meeting his teammates after the match #NZvAFG pic.twitter.com/zsDnHfmwzC
— Your Teacher (@yoursteacher) October 18, 2023
One more drop catch and Rashid Khan might expose himself for age fraud to get out of this team. pic.twitter.com/TvQRjiHbhl
— Heisenberg (@internetumpire) October 18, 2023
Cruel
Afg fielding has been always cruel to @rashidkhan_19 bowling. Afg Team should do justice to his bowling skills. His bowlings skills are being wasted in this team. What a shame.#NZvAFG
— Dr.Zadran (@Methamphetamn) October 18, 2023
Big opportunity
Rashid khan has dropped two back to back catches.
Tom Latham have big opportunity to play till end. #CWC23 #Worldcup #CricketWorldCup #cricket #NZvAFG— Randeep (@R_Deep7) October 18, 2023
