Pakistan women’s national cricket team all-rounder Aliya Riaz came under criticism after a costly fielding mistake during the <a href="https://cricket.international/will-asia-cup-trophy-fiasco-repeat-at-2026-asian-games-latest-update-on-mohsin-naqvi/" title="Will Asia Cup trophy fiasco repeat at 2026 Asian Games? Latest update on Mohsin Naqvi”>Asian Games 2026 semi-final against the Sri Lanka women’s national cricket team on Sunday, September 20, at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
The all-rounder failed to hold on to a straightforward catch in the deep, giving Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu a big reprieve at a crucial moment in the do-or-die clash. Earlier, Match fixing? Wanindu Hasaranga’s bizarre hit-wicket dismissal in ENG vs SL clash sparks speculation.
Aliya Riaz trolled after costly catch drop in Pakistan’s Asian Games 2026 Semi-Final
The incident happened when Ayesha Zafar bowled a tossed-up delivery outside. Chamari Athapaththu tried to clear long-off but did not get the timing right. The ball went towards Aliya Riaz in the deep, but she spilled a simple chance during the Asian Games 2026 semi-final.
Athapaththu, one of Sri Lanka’s most dangerous batters, was handed a lifeline after Aliya dropped a catch. She immediately raised her bat after completing the run, showing the importance of the reprieve. This dropped catch proved too costly for Pakistani women.
Riaz’s mistake quickly made meme material among fans on social media, with the all-rounder facing trolling over her fielding effort. Following his poor efforts, many even called out Wahab Riaz for picking a player like the all-rounder who can’t do even the basic job during the pressure moments.
Here’s how fans mock Aliya Riaz on social media:
https://x.com/Usman_56Offical/status/2101597576881451159
https://x.com/Usman_56Offical/status/2101589567832813794
https://x.com/Usman_56Offical/status/2101527245802360900
https://x.com/hashtag/PakistanCricket
https://x.com/rishushukla1991/status/2101557334124511616
https://x.com/Gade1603/status/2101578460787609944
https://x.com/Gade1603/status/2101579645959475296
https://x.com/fatiqmir/status/2101558110360133645
https://x.com/Harrykamad264/status/2069113019750306183
Chamari Athapaththu destroys Pakistan attack
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka produced a stunning performance to beat Pakistan in the Women’s Asian Games 2026 semi-final by eight wickets and book their place in the final. They reached the 178-run target with more than two overs to spare.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu was the biggest star of the match. She started carefully and took time to settle, but once she found her rhythm, she launched a brutal attack on Pakistan’s bowlers. Athapaththu smashed 7 fours and 6 sixes for 83 runs off just 50 balls.
Hasini Perera (42) was a brilliant support to Athapaththu as she rotated the strike and kept the required run rate in check. Their 95-run partnership made the chase look almost effortless. Amid this,”Should not have taken the captaincy”: Wasim Akram slams Babar Azam after England debacle.
Pakistan’s poor show ends their Gold dreams
Pakistan struggled with both the ball and in the field. Poor bowling and missed fielding chances allowed Sri Lanka to chase the tough target easily in the Asian Games 2026 semi-final.
Sri Lanka are now one step away from Asian Games gold and will look to make up for their recent Asia Cup disappointment against India. Pakistan will now play the third-place match, with a bronze medal at stake.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
