Birmingham: Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed had to face a lot of backlash on social media after their defeat to arch-rivals India in the ongoing World Cup. After the defeat, the team went on to become the butt of all jokes with fans criticising the players’ fitness and their training regime.
In fact, one Pakistani fan even called him a ‘fat pig’ while he was taking a stroll in a London mall a few days ago.
However, Wednesday, Sarfaraz took an outstanding catch during their match against New Zealand in Birmingham which Pakistan won by six wickets to remain in contention of the semi-finals.
During the ninth over of the match, Sarfaraz took the brilliant one-handed catch diving to his right to dismiss New Zealand’s premier batsman Ross Taylor.
When Taylor got a thick edge of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s full length delivery, Sarfaraz threw himself full-length to his right and got the hold of the ball with his right hand to give Afridi his second wicket.
As soon as the Pakistani skipper took the catch, the internet was once again flooded with memes, some praising his efforts while others taking a dig at his yawn during India’s match.
One of the fans tweeted that Sarfaraz was able to take the catch because he slept well. “Sarfaraz ne catch nahi match pakra hai… Time pe soney ke faidey,” said the user.
https://twitter.com/pukhtana_tweets/status/1143850800399228928
Another user tweeted the picture of Sarfaraz catching a burger instead of the ball. “Sarfaraz To Shoaib Akhtar: Ab bol na Unfit Sarfu you beauty. What a catch.”
One of the users even used a still from Bollywood movie ‘Lagaan’ and said that’s how he felt after Sarfaraz took the catch.
IS IT A BIRD?? IS IT A PLANE? NOPE!! THIS IS SARFARAZ AHMED TAKING OFF ABSOLUTELY A BLINDER TO DISMISS ROSS TAYLOR!!
"sArFrAz iS unFiT"
Kaha ho haters 😺😺#SarfarazAhmed #CWC19 @SarfarazA_54 you beauty 🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/SzGpydYX18
— Moiz Hussain🇵🇰 (@codewithmoiz) June 27, 2019
For all the girls out there. He is a keeper. @SarfarazA_54 @ZAbbasOfficial. #SarfarazAhmed #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/aRCkrqZOt2
— Legally Brown (@Hasy_ali) June 26, 2019
https://twitter.com/Fze32/status/1143856360808964097
Sarfaraz Ahmed to haters #PAKvNZ #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/ZFucqXGAdZ
— The Indian Citizen (@tic_speaks) June 26, 2019
1 minute of silence to those who trolled him and called him by names this is tight slap and answer to them !! Well done #SarfarazAhmed #CWC2019 pic.twitter.com/EMkrRjcV7n
— Rajesh (@ashraj0607) June 26, 2019
The wicketkeeper-batsman had earlier said that he was deeply hurt by the harsh criticism he and his team had to face following their defeat to India. In an interview to the ICC, he even said his wife cried after he was called a ‘fat pig’.
The win against New Zealand had now put Pakistan on the sixth spot in the points table. While the team currently has seven points from as many matches, they need both luck and wins in their remaining two matches to ensure a path ahead in the knockout stages.
IANS