After narrowly losing to India in their opening match of the Asia Cup 2022, Pakistan responded admirably to begin the Super Four stage with a victory over the Men in Blue on Sunday, September 4.

After a 73-run third-wicket stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali used a couple powerful hits to end the game for the Men in Green and move them closer to the victory.

When Asif hadn’t even opened his account, Arshdeep Singh granted him a pardon before to busting an 8-ball 16. After Asif ended the game with a few powerful hits, several people attacked Arshdeep online as they believed he not dropped the catch but the match.

Arshdeep erred in his handling of the ball at short third man when Asif Ali’s top edge deflected a failed slog sweep attempt off Ravi Bishnoi. With Pakistan still needed 32 runs from 15 balls, when the catch was dropped.

The men in  then scored 19 runs off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s next over, cutting the total to 7 runs off the last over. Arshdeep, though, came back with a solid last over that included the dismissal of Asif Ali, who was trapped lbw. But Pakistan ultimately prevailed after needing two off the final two balls.

Unsurprisingly, some targeted him on social media for dropping the catch and it led former cricketers to tweet in support of the young pacer.

“Stop criticising young @arshdeepsinghh No one drops the catch purposely.. We are proud of our boys .. Pakistan played better.. Shame on such people who are putting our own guys down by saying cheap things on this platform about Arsh and team.. Arsh is GOLD [Sic],” Harbhajan said.

Cricketers Support Arshdeep Singh

 

“After dropping steve smith in the pune test, i was absolutely inconsolable for hours alone in my room. I really hope @arshdeepsinghh doesnt feel that way. He will be more gutted than anyone else in our country tonight. Lets cut him some slack!” Mukund wrote.

Arsh’s IPL team also came in his support and tweeted: “We are with you Arsh”.

India will play their next match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday at the Dubai International Stadium.