Video Courtesy: PTV Sports and MaxVision Youtube
Trust Kieron Pollard to pull off unbelievable catches by utilizing his long levers and swift presence of mind to great effect. The burly West Indies batsman added another one to his ever expanding collection of sensational takes during the first ODI against Pakistan at Sharjah.
Babar Azam was the batsman who found himself at the receiving end of Pollard’s brilliance. Upon reaching his maiden international century, the 21-year old smashed a fuller delivery from Carlos Brathwaite towards the mid wicket fence and expected it to sail past the ropes quite easily. But, unbeknownst to him, a massive figure was silently patrolling the boundary in fervent anticipation.
Pollard stuck out his right hand in a hope that somehow the ball would make its way there. After managing to latch on to it, he acknowledged that the ensuing inertia would take him past the boundary. However, in the split second that was available to him, the all-rounder threw it in the air and returned back just in time to complete the sensational catch and send the already raucous crowd into delirium.
Azam could barely believe what transpired near the boundary and slowly trudged back the pavilion after a remarkable 131-ball 120. Pollard must have had his heart in his mouth for a brief period of time when the on-field umpires sent it upstairs to check the no-ball and the accompanying grab. Fortunately for him, Brathwaite kept his feet well behind the crease while the catch was cleared to be legitimate as well.
Pollard’s countryman and commentator Fazeer Mohammed could not control his excitement by raving, “Well taken, brilliantly taken. You can’t be surprised because he has done this so often. The showman (is) putting on a performance.”
Co-commentator Waqar Younis also joined in and gushed, “He has enjoyed it. What a catch, What a catch. We’ve seen him do this again and again. Only Pollard could have done that as they needed a tall man. He’s timed the jump at the right time, beautifully done.”
Not surprisingly, this was not the first time that he had pulled off a blinder as evidenced by his spectacular catch during the 2013 IPL fixture for Mumbai Indians against Kings XI Punjab at Wankhede.
Pollard’s celebration was equally fascinating as well. Upon skipping a few steps, he mockingly rolled his arm over and over. With four overs from him going for 34 runs earlier in the game, the astonishing catch more than made up for his efforts in the bowling department.
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