The Asia Cup 2025 has delivered top-quality cricket, thrilling finishes, and some outstanding performances. India has already booked its spot in the final, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are battling it out in a do-or-die clash for the other place. As with any high-pressure tournament, fielding has played a huge role, both in turning matches and, at times, letting opportunities slip.
While brilliant catches have often grabbed headlines, dropped chances have proven equally decisive. On that note, let
us take a look at five dropped catches that turned out to be costly in this year’s Asia Cup.
Asia Cup 2025: Dropped catches that proved costly
Yasim Murtaza drops Sediqullah Atal
Afghanistan opener Sediqullah Atal was dropped multiple times in the Asia Cup 2025 opener and went on to score a crucial 73 runs off 52 balls. In the first over, bowled by Ayush Shukla, a back-of-a-length delivery in the channel induced an outside edge from Atal that flew around knee height to slip. Hong Kong skipper Yasim Murtaza dived but failed to hold the catch. Atal was given another lifeline in the 14th over off Murtaza’s bowling. Taking advantage of the reprieves, he played a match-defining innings that helped Afghanistan secure a strong position and ultimately open their points tally in the tournament.
Jaker Ali drops Abhishek Sharma
Bangladesh wicketkeeper Jaker Ali dropped Indian opener Abhishek Sharma when he was on just one run in the Super Fours clash between India and Bangladesh, a miss that proved costly as Sharma went on to score a blistering 75 off 37 balls, steering the Men in Blue toward victory. In the third over, the third delivery from Tanzim Hasan Sakib, a back-of-a-length ball that angled away, induced a tentative poke from Sharma. The outside edge flew to the left of the keeper, and Jaker dived to his right, getting both hands on the ball but failing to hold it. With no fielder stationed at first slip, the chance went begging, allowing Sharma to capitalise and launch a match-defining innings.
Abhishek Sharma drops Sahibzada Farhan
Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan enjoyed some luck in the Super Four clash against India. On just the third ball of the match, Hardik Pandya delivered a fuller outswinger outside off. Farhan attempted an ambitious loft but mistimed it, sending the ball towards third man. Abhishek Sharma positioned there and reacted late. Though he dived forward and got his hands to the ball, it slipped through as he hit the ground. That early drop gave Farhan the breathing space to settle in.
Mohammad Nawaz drops Abhishek Sharma
The tables turned when India’s Abhishek Sharma got away with one against Pakistan. He was facing Shaheen Afridi in the third over, and attempted to pull a short delivery but was cramped for room. The ball went high towards mid-wicket, where Mohammad Nawaz sprinted back to his right. Though it was a difficult chance, Nawaz managed to get close but failed to latch on. Abhishek survived and went on to guide India to victory, making that drop especially costly.
