AFG vs PAK: Watch: Leaping Shadab Khan Takes One Of The Best Catches Of The Year To Dismiss Hashmatullah Shahidi

Pakistan allrounder Shadab Khan, on Tuesday (August 22), took a stunning diving catch to dismiss Hashmatullah Shahidi during the first ODI against Afghanistan in Hambantota.

Ahead of the Asia Cup and the World Cup, the Men in Green fired warning to the other teams by coming up with a stunning effort to thrash Afghanistan by 142 runs. Pakistan started the game on a disastrous note as Afghanistan had them reeling at 40 for 3 with the likes of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan back in the hut.

Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually all out for 201 runs. Opener Imam-ul-Haq was the top-scorer for them, scoring 61 off 94 balls. Iftikhar Ahmed (30) and Shadab Khan (39) also played crucial knocks. For Afghanistan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman picked up three wickets.

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Unlike the batsmen, Pakistan’s bowlers were in stunning form. Their pace bowlers ran riot and bowled out Afghanistan for a paltry 59. Haris Rauf was the star with the ball, taking 5 for 18 while fellow pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah picked up 2 and 1 wicket respectively.

Shadab Khan’s stunning catch:

One of the highlights of the match was Shadab Khan’s brilliant catch to dismiss Shahidi. Afghanistan were firmly on the backfoot after losing Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah on consecutive deliveries in the third over. Both the batsmen were dismissed by Shaheen Afridi for a duck.

Afghanistan were reeling at 3-2 in the third over when skipper Shahid walked out to bat. The onus was on the skipper to steady the ship for his side. But even before he could open his account, a brilliant catch from Shadab Khan ended his brief stay at the crease in the fourth over. Shahidi also departed without opening his account.

Naseem Shah bowled a back of length delivery to the Afghan captain and the latter went for a pull shot. He, however, could not time the ball well and was late in playing the shot. But the ball was still looking set to land safely beyond the fielder at square leg. However, Shadab Khan had other ideas.

One of the best if not the best fielder in the Pakistan side, Shadab Khan made a timely leap to his left and tried to catch the ball with both hands but fumbled. He, however, was not done yet. Before the ball could land on the field, he dived again to complete a stunning catch.

Watch:

Unbelievable moves! ✨⚡️

? @76Shadabkhan's fielding brilliance to send the Afghanistan skipper packing ?#AFGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/b9nX8kZbw2

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 22, 2023