Picture Credit: Twitter
Cricket has become a fast-paced game with T20 cricket dominating globally. With so much action happening in the middle, every player needs to stay alert all the time. Even a monetary lapse can cost the game for a team. With the game moving at a fast pace, the fielding standards have also gone up drastically. Fielders put in all the effort to get a hold of the ball and when those extra efforts bring results, it becomes even better.
Pakistan’s Shadab Khan did feel that happiness when he grabbed a one-handed stunner in the 1st ODI between Pakistan and West Indies on Wednesday. The Pakistan fielder standing at short third man took perhaps one of the best catches in the history of ODI cricket. Khan ran, made a full-stretch dive and then pouched the ball with one hand to send the batsman packing into the pavilion.
In the 31st over of the West Indies innings, Shamarh Brooks edged a slog sweep off the bowling of Mohammad Nawaz. The ball ballooned up and went up inside the circle. Shadab Khan, who was standing a bit wide of the short third man ran quickly. However, the ball was coming down quickly and thus Khan made a full-stretch dive to his left. He put his left hand out and pouched the ball pretty safely to end Brook’s innings of 70 off 83.
Watch the video here:
This catch from Shadab Khan helped Pakistan break a 154-run partnership between Brooks and Shai Hope for the second wicket.
Pakistan need to score 306 to win!
On the back of a brilliant century from Shai Hope, West Indies put on 305/8 in their 50 overs. Hope socred 127 off just 134 deliveries to provide a solid foundation for a big total. He got good support from Brooks. However, some ordinary batting at the fag end of the innings restricted West Indies to 305. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf impressed with the ball as the pacer bagged four wickets including Hope’s.