“Lost Focus, Lost Wicket”: Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz Caught Napping by Suryakumar
Dubai: For the past eight days, Pakistan have faced one humiliation after another against India in the Asia Cup — blunders, dramas, and embarrassments that have gone viral worldwide. On Sunday, one particular incident exposed sheer carelessness by Pakistan’s Mohammed Nawaz.
Nawaz fell into a trap of his own making, brilliantly exploited by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.
The drama unfolded in the 19th over, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. Aiming for a yorker to dismiss Pakistan skipper Salman Agha, Bumrah ended up delivering a full toss, which Salman flicked towards mid-wicket. Both batsmen set off for a single. Salman sprinted safely to the non-striker’s end, but Nawaz ambled lazily towards the striker’s crease — almost as if strolling in a park — completely unaware of Suryakumar’s alert presence.
Bumrah assumed Nawaz had made it to his ground and began his run-up for the next ball. But Nawaz still hadn’t reached the crease. Spotting this, Suryakumar fired in a direct throw from a distance that smashed into the stumps — catching Nawaz well short.
Nawaz, who was batting fluently, had to walk back for 21 runs, undone by his own lapse. Pakistani fans in the stands were left stunned and disappointed, while Indian supporters erupted in laughter, applauding Suryakumar’s sharp awareness with thunderous cheers.
India went on to defeat Pakistan by six wickets with seven balls to spare.