While the T20 World Cup 2024 is generating a lot of excitement, the Vitality Blast 2024, which started on May 30, might not be receiving as much attention. However, the June 7th gameāa North Group contest between Worcestershire and Northamptonshireāuncovered an especially noteworthy event.
This incident concerned Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza, whose team, having fallen behind Namibia and Uganda in the Africa Regional Qualifier round, just missed qualifying for the ICC event.
After 12 overs, Worcestershire was at 94/4 and appeared to be getting more at ease with the 170-run mark. But Adam Hose, who was well on his way to 30 after hitting a few fours and as many maximums earlier, saw a lofted ball over the bowler’s head that went for yet another six on the first delivery of the 13th over, delivered by Zaib. Raza’s next move was absolutely unbelievable. He ran a considerable distance from a wide distance to his right and made a full-stretched attempt that saw him hang on to a fantastic catch, leaving everyone in complete amazement.
Watch Raza’s stunning boundary running catch here:
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In particular, Raza and Zaib contributed significantly to an unbroken 79 off 37 deliveries for the fifth wicket, with the former hammering three sixes and two fours in his 42* off 21 deliveries. Zaib, however, was ultimately six runs shy of achieving his sixth half-century in Twenty20.
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Zaib showed up for his team, taking three significant wickets while only allowing up twenty, despite the 38-year-old’s inability to fully match that level of performance with the ball. The 26-year-old all-rounder was named Player of the Match following Northamptonshire’s third victory in their previous four games.
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