AUS vs PAK: Agha Salman Blames The 1st Slip Position For Pakistan Dropping Catches vs Australia

Pakistan star Agha Salman has defended debutant Saim Ayub after he dropped David Warner on day two of the ongoing third Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Pakistan have failed to capitalize on all their opportunities in the ongoing three-match Test series, with the fielding at first slip coming under scrutiny.

Abdullah Shafique dropped three catches at first slip in the first two Tests before being replaced by Agha Salman at that position. Agha Salman justified the move by taking a stunning catch in the second Test in Melbourne.

On Thursday (January 1), Saim Ayub was asked to field at first slip when Agha Salman went off the field for just one over and the opener ended up dropping an easy catch. In the 14th over, Aamer Jamal made Warner edge one straight to Ayub at first slip. It was a straightforward catch and Ayub ended up dropping it. Fortunately for Pakistan, it did not prove too costly as Warner could score only 14 more runs before being dismissed for 34.

Agha Salman defends Saim Ayub:

Interacting with the media after the second day’s play, Agha Salman defended Ayub and explained the reason behind the team asking the debutant to field at first slip. The middle-order batsman revealed that Ayub was asked to field at first slip because he was practicing slip-catching.

“Saim has been practicing slip-catching. I think there’s a problem with the 1st slip position (laughs). When I was briefly off the field, Babar thought he’d move to second slip,” said Agha Salman.

People who follow cricket know that more catches go toward second slip. Dropped catches are a part of the game. Australia also dropped catches, and it happens to anyone. There are no easy catches in the slips because you have very little time to react. We’ve also taken so many catches in the slips but no one talks about them,” he added.

Meanwhile, only 46 overs were possible on day two of the Test due to bad light and rain. At stumps, Australia were on 116 for 2, trailing Pakistan’s first innings total by 197 runs. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were unbeaten for the home side. Earlier in the game, Pakistan recovered from 96 for 5 and posted 313 runs in their first innings.