‘A crocodile jaw trying to catch the ball’ - Mark Waugh slams Abdullah Shafique for dropping another sitter

On Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test against Australia, Pakistan batter Abdullah Shafique once again dropped a regulation catch, this time giving Mitchell Marsh a lifeline. The home team were in a dire situation reeling at 46/4 and the wicket of Marsh could have given Pakistan the ticket to win the Melbourne Test. Following the catch drop, bowler Aamer Jamal was in disbelief along with skipper Shan Masood as he immediately covered his face with his hands.

Speaking about Shafique’s poor technique while catching the ball, legendary Australia all-rounder Mark Waugh stated that the cricketer opened his hands a bit too much than required and it felt like ‘a crocodile jaw trying to catch the ball’. Meanwhile, Marsh went on to score 96 runs, which changed the dynamics of the game. Pakistan were on top with the ball at the beginning of the innings but Steve Smith and Marsh’s partnership of 153 runs brought Australia back into the hunt for a win. 

“I think you have to get Shafique out of there. He has not looked like catching one all series. He found a one, only just and at some stage, you got a hook out and say, ‘out of there son’. It’s just like a crocodile jaw trying to catch a ball,” Waugh said.

No fielder wants to drop a catch: Shafique

Speaking about dropping David Warner’s catch in the first innings, Shafique stated that no fielder wants to drop as it was a massive wicket and added that he understands that the team could have been in a better position had he taken the catch of Warner.

“No fielder wants to drop a catch but it's a part of the game. If I'd caught that we'd of course be in a better position,” the 24-year-old said.

Meanwhile, Shafique’s half-century kept Pakistan alive in the competition. He built a crucial 90-run partnership alongside skipper Shan Masood as Pakistan went on to post 264 runs in the first innings. On Day 3, the returning Mohammad Rizwan scored 42 runs while Aamer Jamal hit 33 runs, which boosted Pakistan’s chances of securing a win in Melbourne.