USA opening batter Steven Taylor made headlines with a spectacular catch, an early contender for the catch of the tournament, to dismiss Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan in their ongoing Group A clash. The 2024 T20 World Cup match, held at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas, saw Pakistan put into bat first.
Nosthush Kenjige kicked off the match with a tight first over. From the other end, left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar took the new ball and struck with his second delivery. Netravalkar delivered a regulation-length ball that slightly came back in, cramping Rizwan for room. The batter tried to defend but only managed to produce a thick outside edge.
Stationed at slip, Steven Taylor faced a challenging task as the ball was low and far to his right. Yet, with a perfectly timed dive, he managed to get his fingers underneath the ball, completing a remarkable catch. Wild celebrations erupted as Taylor’s teammates surrounded him, celebrating the early breakthrough.
Taylor’s catch drew comparisons to the iconic catch by Bermuda’s Dwayne Leverock in the 2007 ODI World Cup against India in Port of Spain, where Leverock also had to dive full length to his right to make the catch.
This stunning effort by Taylor not only boosted the USA team’s morale but also set the tone for an exciting match, showcasing the growing talent and competitiveness in American cricket.
