Leeds: Normally, fielders do not use their feet to stop the ball during a cricket match. Apart from being considered contrary to the basic principles of fielding, attempting to stop a fast-moving ball with the foot can also result in injury. However, during the first Test against England at Headingley on Thursday, a Pakistan fielder became the subject of widespread ridicule on social media after an unusual attempt to stop the ball.
Pakistan’s fielding has been poor for several days, and this incident has once again put the team in the firing line of critics. Netizens quickly began making humorous comments about the Pakistan side following the bizarre moment.
The incident occurred when an England batsman played a shot towards the boundary. A fielder positioned near the boundary line rushed towards the fast-moving ball and attempted to stop it with his foot. He failed to control the ball with his foot on two occasions, and his movements looked more like a footballer trying to kick a ball on a football pitch. Eventually, the ball reached the boundary line. The fielder’s bizarre attempt left the entire Pakistan team embarrassed in the media.
Pakistani players making fielding look harder than batting and bowling pic.twitter.com/GeMHTyzpXe
— Abid Hasan (@Abid_kw22) August 20, 2026
What Funny Comments Were Made About Pakistan?
Social media users were quick to seize the opportunity to poke fun at Pakistan. Some of the humorous comments about the Pakistani player included:
- Pakistan is the only team that can play football during a cricket match.
- The fielder may have been confused about whether it was a cricket match or a football match.
- Pakistan have invented a new fielding technique.
- It looks like Pakistan came to England to practise football instead of playing Test cricket.
- Wow! Players make tackles like that in football matches, but this cricketer could not even stop the ball and ended up conceding a boundary to England.
Pakistan in Trouble in the Match
Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in the first innings of the opening Test of the series, with Ollie Robinson and Josh Tongue taking five wickets apiece. In reply, England reached 366 for eight in their first innings on Thursday. Captain Joe Root scored 66, while former skipper Harry Brook missed out on a century after being dismissed for 91. Pakistan spinner Ali Usman took five wickets.