After securing two consecutive wins, Afghanistan made the strategic choice to field first in their match against Sri Lanka in Pune. They made an early breakthrough in the sixth over, but Sri Lankan batsmen then built important partnerships, placing them at a strong position with a score of 131/2 after 27 overs.
However, the Afghan team made a remarkable comeback, ultimately dismissing the Sri Lankan side for a total of 241. While the bowlers delivered a brilliant performance, it was Nabi’s incredible catch that created a sensation on the internet.
As the match approached its conclusion, Angelo Mathews attempted to launch an assault on the Afghan bowlers to push the Sri Lankan total higher. On the third delivery of the 49th over, the former Sri Lankan captain aimed to send Fazalhaq Farooqi’s slower ball for a maximum but couldn’t connect as cleanly as he had hoped.
Despite being outwitted, the sheer power behind the shot sent the ball high into the night sky, seemingly headed for a boundary. However, Nabi, stationed at long-on, positioned himself perfectly under the Kookaburra ball and displayed remarkable judgment as he caught the ball, maintaining his balance just millimeters away from the boundary.
This sensational catch by the legendary Afghan cricketer garnered widespread attention on social media, with numerous fans taking to Twitter to shower praise on the 38-year-old.