Sikandar Raza. (Photo Source: Vitality Blast)
Amidst the fervour of the T20 World Cup 2024, the Vitality Blast 2024, which commenced on May 30, may not be garnering significantly lesser amount of attention. Nonetheless, the match on June 07, a North Group encounter between Northamptonshire and Worcestershire, unveiled a particularly notable moment. This incident involved Zimbabwean all-rounder, Sikandar Raza, whose team narrowly missed qualification for the ICC event after trailing behind Namibia and Uganda in the Africa Regional Qualifier round.
Placed at 94/4 after 12 overs, Worcestershire were looking increasingly comfortable chasing the 170-run target. However, the first delivery of the 13th over, bowled by Zaib to Adam Hose who was well set on 30, having already struck a couple of fours and as many maximums before, saw a lofted shot over the head of the bowler on its way for yet another six. What followed was completely out-of-the-world from Raza, who sprinted a long way from wide long-off to his right to make a full-stretched attempt which saw him holding on to a wonderful catch, which quite palpably left everyone in absolute awe of the take.
Watch Raza’s stunning boundary running catch here:
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Notably, Raza along with Zaib were instrumental in stringing together a vital fifth wicket stand of an unbeaten 79 off 37 deliveries, with the former blasting three sixes and two fours in his 42* off 21. Zaib, on the other hand, ended up six runs short of what could have been his sixth T20 half-century.
While the 38-year-old couldn’t quite emulate the same level of performance with the ball, Zaib turned up for his side, picking up three crucial scalps, giving away only 20. Northamptonshire’s third win out of four so far also saw the 26-year-old all-rounder bag the Player of the Match award.