Srinagar: New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has come out in support of Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan after his mistake of dropped catch during T20I series decided cost Pakistan match.
Centurion Mark Chapan and Jimmy Nessham led New Zealand to brilliant win in the T20I to tie the series.
Chapman tried to go downtown against Shaheen in the 14th over but spliced it and it carried all the way to Shadab, who droped an easy catch running across from wide long-on. Chapman was batting on 67 at that point and finished with 104 not out innings from 57 balls.
In a post match press conference Neesham said that everyone drops catches and Shadab is one of the leading fielders in the World.
“Obviously in hindsight, a guy gets a hundred ans ia dropped, it is important,” Jimmy Neesham said.
“I have played with Shadab Khan on multiple teams around the world. You put him at point and boundary hotspots because he is one of the Worlds leading fielders. Everyone drops catches every now and then.Yeah it was quite important in the end but nothing to take away from chap the way he played,” Neesham added.
Meanwhile Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, believes Shadab Khan dropping the catch of Mark Chapman at a crucial point proved to be turning point of the match, as the left-hander went onto score an unbeaten ton and win the fifth T20I for New Zealand, thus levelling the series 2-2.
“The dropped catch obviously cost us the game,” said Babar at post-match press conference.
However, the Pakistan captain was quick to defend his all-rounder and said that he will continue to support him.
“Shadab has given a lot of performances in the past. If his performance isn’t good in one series, that doesn’t make any difference to us. We will back him and he will perform again,” he added.
