WATCH: Shaheen Afridi looks clueless as Pakistan's routine fielding blunder denies him a wicket in Champions One-Day Cup

Pakistan's fielding blunders came under the spotlight again as a hilarious fielding effort denied elite pacer Shaheen Afridi a first-over wicket in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024. Lions had an opportunity to get an early breakthrough but their slip fielders decided to give Panthers' opener Saim Ayub a lifeline. 

Panthers won the toss and elected to bat under tricky conditions in Faisalabad on Monday (September 16). Captain Shaheen opened the bowling attack for Lions and used his pace and seam to put pressure on Ayub straightaway. The left-arm pacer bowled a full-length delivery that pitched around the fifth stump.  

The left-handed batter played a risky shot away from his body but ended up getting a thick outside edge. The ball travelled straight between the first slip and the second slip, but instead of catching the ball, the fielders waited for each other's efforts.

The sloppy fielding effort resulted in Ayub getting four runs instead of returning to the pavilion for a duck. Shaheen was seen with no reaction on his face as he put his right hand over his mouth and looked clueless.

Here’s the viral video:

pic.twitter.com/sRJNmn3DBw

— Cricket Cricket (@cricket543210) September 16, 2024

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Middle-order helps Panthers bounce back after a disastrous start

Although Lions were denied a wicket in the very first over due to a ‘self-goal’, Sirajuddin got rid of Azan Awais in the following over to give an early lead. Shaheen in his second over, claimed his first wicket by removing Umar Siddiq. Sirajuddin got his second wicket in the form of Usman Khan and reduced Panthers to 3-31 in 3.3 overs.

Also Watch: Usama Mir and Haider Ali’s comedy of errors nearly ends in disaster during Champions One Day Cup 2024

Ayub failed to capitalize as he fell prey to Aamer Yamin in the ninth over for just 10 runs in 20 balls. However, Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali brought them back into the game by forming a partnership of more than 100 runs. Both have completed their half-centuries and will be looking to take the team to a respectable total after a top-order collapse.