Comedy of errors in Karachi as Pakistan fielders goof up big time against Sri Lanka

Pakistan made extensive changes to their coaching set-up following their dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2019. Along with head coach Mickey Arthur, batting coach Grant Flower, bowling coach Azhar Mahmood and trainer Grant Luden were also removed. Another Grant, the team’s fielding coach, however, got saved since he has his contract till September 2021.

However, going by the Men in Green’s fielding performance in a recent ODI against Sri Lanka, Bradburn might not be feeling too comfortable. It is not new for Pakistan players to face mocking for their fielding efforts on the turf. But the recent instance, the players threw up a comedy of errors while trying to prevent the opponent batsman from stealing a quick run.

A simple pick and throw from the fielder placed close to the 22 yards on the leg side could have stopped the batsmen from stealing a single. But the fielder not only failed to throw it at the stump, it was so wild that it beat two back-up fielders to go for four overthrow runs, leaving the home side frustrated. Even the fielder at the boundary came up with a shabby show to allow the ball cross the rope.

Here’s the video

pic.twitter.com/uEI9PyvdkJ

— Out of Context Cricket (@ooccricket) October 3, 2019

In the crunch game against India at Old Trafford in the World Cup, too, Sarfaraz Ahmed’s boys made a mess of the fielding that saw Fakhar Zaman throwing the ball at the wrong end even as Rohit Sharma was halfway into the middle. The misjudgment gave Rohit all the time to get back to safety and eventually slam a hundred to win the game for India.

Pakistan though won the ODI series 2-0

The Men in Green, however, didn’t lose at the end in the Sri Lanka game. They won both the matches against a second-string Lankan side that has reached Pakistan to play two series – in ODIs and T20Is. The ODIs were played in Karachi out of which the first was washed out. Pakistan won the two games by 67 runs and five wickets, respectively, to pocket the series 2-0.

The three-T20I series will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore between October 5 and 9. The hosts’ fielders need to be on their toes as a number of games in the past have been decided by the odd run.