After winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to bat first on what appeared to be a flat wicket in Hyderabad. However, their early progress was halted when Kusal Perera fell to Hasan Ali after just ten balls.
As Pathum Nissanka and Mendis settled in and began to accelerate, Pakistan had an opportunity to put Sri Lanka under significant pressure.
In the fifth over, with the score at 23/1, Afridi decided to change his angle, coming over the wicket and delivering a full ball on the off stump. Mendis, enticed by the width, attempted a shot but could only manage an edge.
The ball traveled agonizingly slowly towards Imam and seemed destined for his grasp. Yet, in a moment that harked back to Pakistan’s vintage fielding, Imam struggled to secure the catch, with the ball bouncing off his fingertips and falling behind him.
— Ishan Martinez (@IshanMarti66419) October 10, 2023
Not only did this incident leave his teammates astonished, but social media users also quickly chimed in with amusing reactions, playfully reminding him of his cricketing legacy.