Oliver Davies and Tanveer Sangha recreate Saeed Ajmal and Shoaib Malik’s missed catch moment in BBL

Sydney Thunder players Oliver Davies and Tanveer Sangha reminded fans of Saeed Ajmal and Shoaib Malik’s embarrassing missed catch in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25. Davies and Sangha waited for each other and did not attempt an easy catch off Nikhil Chaudhary, allowing the ball to land between them.

Sydney Thunder began their campaign with a clash against the Hobart Hurricanes in Hobart on Tuesday, December 16. Regular captain David Warner missed the match but is expected to return for the Sydney Smash against the Sixers. The Thunder posted a total of 181, leaving the Hurricanes with a challenging chase.

Watch: Oliver Davies and Tanveer Sangha Recreate Saeed Ajmal and Shoaib Malik’s Missed Catch

Sydney Thunder let a clear chance slip early in the innings after a mix-up in the deep. On the second ball of the second over, Nikhil Chaudhary top-edged a shot off Daniel Sams, sending the ball high into the air toward the leg-side boundary.

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Both Tanveer Sangha and Ollie Davies moved toward the ball but hesitated, each expecting the other to take the catch. With no clear call, the ball dropped safely between them, allowing Chaudhary to survive and take a single. The mistake left Sams visibly frustrated as Thunder missed an early wicket.

The blunder brought back memories for fans of a famous fielding mix-up involving Shoaib Malik and Saeed Ajmal. That incident came during a 2008 ODI, when Chris Gayle lofted a high catch, and both Pakistan players hesitated, resulting in a missed chance.

Wait for it... 🫣 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/QqMktlyf0d

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 16, 2025

Sydney Thunder Recover From Early Setbacks to Post 180/6

Sydney Thunder were asked to bat first, and Matthew Gilkes scored 20 runs off seven balls before being dismissed at the end of the second over. With Sam Konstas and Cameron Bancroft at the crease, Thunder reached 46/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Hobart Hurricanes tightened the screws once the field spread. Konstas struggled to break free and was dismissed for 28, while Chris Jordan struck twice in one over to remove Sam Billings (3) and Oliver Davies (2), leaving Thunder in trouble at 79/4 after 10 overs.

Cameron Bancroft then steadied the innings alongside Shadab Khan. Bancroft anchored the recovery with a composed knock, reaching a fifty from 37 balls, and the pair added 59 runs. Billy Stanlake ended the stand by dismissing Bancroft for 61 off 44 balls in the 17th over.

Shadab perished for 34 in the final over, but Daniel Sams remained unbeaten on 23, guiding Thunder to 180/6. For the Hurricanes, Stanlake was the pick of the bowlers with 3/34, while Jordan took 2/36 and Nathan Ellis claimed 1/39.

Playing XI of Sydney Thunder and Hobart Hurricanes

Sydney Thunder: Sam Konstas, Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, Oliver Davies, Sam Billings(w), Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green(c), Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley

Hobart Hurricanes: Mitchell Owen, Nikhil Chaudhary, Rehan Ahmed, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis(c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake

Also read: “Don’t want to be another Nasser Hussain”: Ben Stokes reveals England’s toss decision for Adelaide Test