Watch: "One of the best dropped catches" - Wahab Riaz faces heat for dropping easy catch in Pakistan's WCL 2024 match vs India

Wahab Riaz, former Pakistan fast bowler and current national chief selector, found himself under fire following a crucial fielding lapse during the World Championship of Legends 2024 (WCL 2024) match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions on Saturday, July 6, in Birmingham.

Pakistan Champions’ pacer Riaz faced severe criticism for dropping an easy and upfront catch in the dying moments of the WCL 2024 match against India Champions at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham.

Wahab Riaz criticized for dropping an easy catch in WCL 2024 match

With the India Champions struggling at 169/9 while chasing a daunting target of 243, Riaz missed an opportunity to dismiss Anureet Singh off Aamer Yamin's bowling. The incident took place during the final over of the India Champions' innings when Aamer Yamin delivered the third ball to Anureet Singh.

The Indian bowler attempted a big shot but mistimed it, sending the ball high into the air. Riaz, who was stationed in a good position, had a clear chance to take the catch, but he ended up embarrassed by his missed opportunity. The former Pakistan pacer failed to grab the easy catch during the WCL 2024 on Saturday.

The Pakistan chief selector has been receiving a lot of flak for dropping the easy catch, as the fans took to social media to express their disappointment over Riaz's fielding blunder in the WCL 2024 match against India.

The Pakistani fans have been also highlighting Riaz's role as the Pakistan chief selector while mocking him for his poor fielding efforts and team selection, as the Men in Green failed to qualify for the Super-8 round of the recent ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.

Here are the few reactions on Wahab Riaz's poor fielding:

Chief selector of current Pakistan 🇵🇰 Cricket Team ! 👏 #<!---->W<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->b #<!---->P<!---->a<!---->k<!---->v<!---->s<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->o<!---->v<!---->Y<!---->j<!---->q<!---->f<!---->X<!---->S<!---->R<!---->e

— Fahad (@fad08) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Chief Selector Pakistan Cricket Board Dropped an Easy Catch. 🤗@<!---->W<!---->a<!---->h<!---->a<!---->b<!---->V<!---->i<!---->k<!---->i p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->B<!---->2<!---->C<!---->k<!---->N<!---->e<!---->5<!---->r<!---->H<!---->7

— Izhar (@Izharmhk32) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Pakistan cricket team chief selector and senior team manager for you. 🫡 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->E<!---->C<!---->O<!---->s<!---->V<!---->0<!---->1<!---->o<!---->f<!---->o

— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

This guy has the tremendous ability to drop anything that is under the sun, be it a simple catch or a talented player.

— Babar Buster (@DealzBazar) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

When you know you hands aren't safe to hold on to a simple catch 🤷‍♂️🤣 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->G<!---->i<!---->a<!---->h<!---->m<!---->F<!---->y<!---->g<!---->T<!---->w

— Blue Prick (@TheBluePrick) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Wow Fantastic drop 😷

— Ayesha Ahmad (@1Ayshh) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

One of the best dropped catches of all times

— SS (@sepulcher) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->7<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Notably, Riaz was appointed as the head of Pakistan's selection committee in November last year, replacing Inzamam-ul-Haq in charge. However, Riaz has faced scrutiny over team selection decisions that led to Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup.

India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2024 Match Highlights

However, the Pakistan Champions managed to record a convincing 68-run victory against their arch-rivals, the India Champions, in Birmingham. Notably, in a high-stakes match at the WCL 2024, Kamran Akmal and Sharjeel Khan's explosive opening stand of 145 runs set the stage for Pakistan's dominant performance against the India Champions in Birmingham.

Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, India's decision backfired as Pakistan posted a formidable total of 243/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Apart from Akmal and Sharjeel, Sohaib Maqsood contributed significantly with a quick fifty to help Pakistan put up a strong total on the board against India.

In reply, the Indian Champions struggled to chase down the target, managing only 175/9 in their 200 runs. Key contributions from Suresh Raina (52) and useful knocks by Robin Uthappa (22), Ambati Rayudu (39), and Anureet Singh (20*) weren't enough, as they fell short by 68 runs.

Wahab Riaz and Shoaib Malik starred with the ball for the Pakistan Champions, both claiming three wickets each against India, supported by Sohail Khan and Sohail Tanveer with one wicket apiece, sealing a convincing victory over their archrivals in the WCL 2024 game.