The first Test between Sri Lanka and Pakistan ended in a dramatic fashion. Pakistan successfully chased down a monumental target of 344 runs in the fourth innings and took a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series. The Sri Lankan bowlers brought their team back into the game with some quick wickets in the second session but Pakistan ended up chasing the target successfully and won the match by four wickets.
After the game ended, Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha was seen trending on social media as fans began comparing him to Hasan Ali for dropping a simple catch at a crucial stage of the match. The Pakistan batters were in complete control of the match and it wasn’t until the second session of the day that the Sri Lankan bowlers managed to come back in the game after picking up some quick wickets. With just 19 more runs required to win, Pakistan’s set batter Abdullah Shafique decided to go for a big hit over deep mid-wicket but ended up mistiming it as the ball went high up in the air.
Sri Lankan pacer Rajitha got underneath the ball as he attempted a catch but ended up dropping a ‘sitter’. Pakistan team didn’t give any other chance after that and got home easily. As the match ended, people on social media platforms were after Rajitha as they drew a parallel with Pakistani bowler Hasan Ali who also has a habit of dropping important catches in a match.
Hasan Ali has been the butt of the jokes ever since he dropped Matthew Wade in the 20-20 World Cup 2022 last year, who went on to smash three consecutive sixes post the drop catch to seal a place in the final for Australia. The fast bowler has worked hard on his fielding since that crucial drop but still hasn’t improved much as he dropped two catches and also missed a run-out chance in the first Test.
Here’s how the fans reacted to the drop catch by Rajitha:
First hassan ali was a undercover spy but now he has started fielding from the opponent side without any fear ?? pic.twitter.com/S3cRyyeFTz
— ??? (@WD9nW7lcXK0GtFk) July 20, 2022
We found hassan ali in Srilankan team.inspired by Real Hassan Ali?#PAKvSL #SLvPAK#PAKvsSL #SLvsPAK pic.twitter.com/5a5i3sbxNr
— ?Q ? ?? | ? l?? (@PML_N_love) July 20, 2022
Welcome to 'Hassan Ali' academy#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/7rsznXDpOI
— Juniii… @searchingsukoon (@searchingsukoon) July 20, 2022
Real id se aa Hassan Ali#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/JLTLOajEe7
— Muhammad Bilal (@bi__red) July 20, 2022
#WTC23 Inspired by Hassan Ali?#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/QqA4KSfWOZ
— Mohammad Asad (@MohammadAsad77) July 20, 2022
Game over now for host???
Kasun Rajitha has dropped Abdullah Shafique on 152 with 19 runs left to win!!#PAKvsSL #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/IgBqGxVrTb— Arsalan Shahzad (@ArsalanShahzed) July 20, 2022
Poor Kasun Rajitha dropped Shafique at Mid wicket on 151 #SLvPAK
— Abhijeet ? (@TheYorkerBall) July 20, 2022
Oh WOW. Kasun Rajitha dropped a sitter off Abdullah Shafique with 19 to win. A catch would have made things very interesting.#SLvPAK #Cricket
— CricBlog ? (@cric_blog) July 20, 2022
Kasun Rajitha dropped Abdullah Shafique rather the match at Gallie. #PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/TwEKrSQNIG
— Younus Basheer (@Younus__Bashir) July 20, 2022
#WTC23 Inspired by Hassan Ali?#PAKvSL pic.twitter.com/QqA4KSfWOZ
— Mohammad Asad (@MohammadAsad77) July 20, 2022
