‘Kitna jhoot bologe Dabar bhai’ – Fans react as Babar Azam backs Shadab Khan after he drops crucial catch against New Zealand

New Zealand’s Mark Chapman smashed an unbeaten hundred as the Blackcaps chased down a 194-run target against Pakistan in 19.2 overs to win the 5th T20I match by six wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Monday, April 24. The win ensured that the series ended in a 2-2 draw. 

One of the main reasons behind Pakistan’s defeat was Shadab Khan’s dropped catch of Chapman in the 14th over of the 2nd innings. Shadab is one the most athletic fielder in the world and it should have been taken by him. Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam talked about the match and the dropped catch in the post-match conference, he backed Shadab and said it happens in the game.

“Sometimes it happens. Shadab has been going through a lean patch. But it is a quality of a good cricketer to rise from the lowest ebb. This happened before. Hopefully, Shadab will rise to the occasion and will make the best of the coming series,” the captain said after the fifth T20I.

Brilliant batting by Mark Chapman

Talking about the match, the Blackcaps won the toss and asked Pakistan to put runs on the scoreboard. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan missed a century by two runs but still guided Pakistan to a solid 193-5. The 30-year-old batter struck a 62-ball unbeaten 98 as he missed the last delivery of the innings and his second hundred. Rizwan, who struck four sixes and seven fours, added 71 for the fourth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed (36) and another 68 for the fifth with Imad Wasim who made 31. 

In response, the Kiwis had a horrific start as they lost their 3 wickets inside the powerplay. But then Chapman entered the scene and ran a rampaging show. He was on a mission and was pure carnage from the southpaw. James Neesham gave him good company and together they added 121 in less than 10 overs to win it for NZ. 

Here’s how fans reacted: