Pakistan Now the Worst Fielding Side as Stats Reveal a Shocking Downfall

Pakistan cricket has been struck with another unwanted news. A shoddy fielding performance in their tri-series encounter against Afghanistan in Sharjah on Tuesday not only left them on the losing side but also brought to light an alarming pattern. Stats on Cricbuzz indicate that Pakistan are now the “worst” fielding team among 41 teams since the beginning of 2024.

Fielding Numbers That Paint A Grim Picture

The figures are telling. Pakistan have dropped 48 catches, missed 98 run outs, and misfielded 89 during this time. These figures place them at the top for dropped catches and missed run outs of all sides. Only West Indies (90) have more misfields.

Though they have played the most games in this period, Pakistan’s 81.4% catching efficiency puts them only joint 8th among the 12 full-member nations, equal with Ireland.

Defeat To Afghanistan Sparks Debate

Latest demonstration of sloppy fielding was in their 18-run loss to Afghanistan. Chasing 169, Pakistan collapsed at 151-9. Before that, Afghanistan’s Ibrahim Zadran (65 off 45) and Sediqullah Atal (64) took their side to 169-5, despite a career-best 4-27 by Faheem Ashraf.

In response, Pakistan momentarily seemed to be in command with Fakhar Zaman hitting 25 in his 100th T20I, but his wicket along with Mohammad Haris against Mohammad Nabi dashed expectations.

Haris Rauf Comes to Fielding Unit’s Defense

Concerns over fielding have been an ongoing theme in Pakistan cricket, and bowler Haris Rauf recently had a disagreement with a journalist regarding this.

“I believe perhaps you have not watched the match correctly. We did not commit such errors in our fielding. Possibly if you watch it again, you will realize that the match really looked good,” Rauf maintained a few days back.

Ironically, the Afghanistan encounter revealed the very same frailties critics have been complaining about. Rauf himself scored a top score of 34 not out in a late flourish but was unable to alter the outcome.

Road Ahead In Tri-Series

Pakistan, who had defeated Afghanistan in the competition previously by 31 runs, will now play the United Arab Emirates in their last round-robin game on Thursday. Under the scanner is fielding, and skipper and team management will expect an improved show before the tournament reaches its business end.