![Pakistan discard Salman Agha holds on to a stunner [Source: screengrab/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787850448183_Salman_Agha.jpg?type=hq)
Pakistan discard Salman Agha holds on to a stunner [Source: screengrab/x]
Salman Agha was dropped from the Pakistan playing XI in the second Test of their three-match away series against England. Despite being dropped from the playing XI, the star all-rounder held on to one of the greatest catches by any Pakistani fielder in recent memory.
Fielding at second slip, Agha flew to his right when he was called in as a substitute fielder. His flying effort helped Khurram Shahzad get rid of a well-set Jordan Cox as England slipped to 187-6 in 47.1 overs.
Salman Agha grabs a stunner to get rid of Jordan Cox
The remarkable moment occurred in the 48th over of the first England innings on Day 1 of the second Test at Lord’s in London on Thursday, August 27.
With Khurram Shahzad bowling the over, well-set half-centurion Jordan Cox attempted a back-foot drive. However, the cricketer merely ended up edging the ball wide of second slip.
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Fortunately for the Pakistan team, an agile Salman Agha flew to his right and held on to the ball to send Cox packing back to the sheds as England lost its sixth wicket for 187 on the board in 47.1 overs.
Salman Agha indirectly makes Babar Azam realize his worth
With the catch, Salman Agha helped his side get rid of England’s number three Jordan Cox after the latter reached 55* off 104 balls.
It is worth noting that the seasoned all-rounder led the Pakistan cricket team just last week at Leeds in the series-opener. The cricketer was appointed as interim Pakistan skipper in the absence of regular captain Babar Azam.
However, the 32-year-old was dropped from the England playing XI for the second Test at Lord’s in London upon the return of the skipper.
Despite not finding himself in the playing group, Salman managed to make his presence felt by pulling off a stunning catch as a substitute fielder. Agha’s stunning effort as a substitute served as a timely reminder of his value to Pakistan, even with Babar Azam back in the side.
Why did Pakistan drop Salman Agha?
After suffering a heavy innings defeat at Headingley in Leeds last week, the Pakistan cricket team made just one change in the playing XI. At the toss, comeback captain Babar Azam explained that with his return, the team management was forced to drop Salman Agha at Lord’s.
Notably, the all-rounder led the Pakistan team in the first Test, but managed to aggregate just 25 runs combined across both innings of the series-opener.
Salman’s exclusion prompted many Pakistan fans to question the team management, with several believing why the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq escaped similar scrutiny despite not being in the best of form of late.
In any case, Pakistan bowlers put up a much-improved performance on the opening day of the second Test, limiting the hosts to 243-9 by the end of the first 55 overs.
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