PSL 2024

Watch: Is his foot on the ground? Crucial Dan Mousley PSL boundary catch divides opinion

by Wisden Staff February 24, 2024 - 4:49am 3 minute read

Watch: Dan Mousley took a boundary catch off David Willey in the PSL 2024 match between Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans on February 23, dividing opinions as to whether or not it was taken legitimately.

With 50 required off the last four overs, Arif Yaqoob came to bowl for the Sultans. It was an eventful over. Yaqoob conceded two off the first ball, followed by two sixes off the bat of Usama Mir. On the fourth ball, the spinner struck as Mir holed out to deep midwicket. The dismissal brought David Willey to the crease, with Sultans needing 36 to win from 20 balls.

Yakoob bowled a googly off the fifth ball around off and middle. Willey made room and played a big heave to long off, where Mousley was stationed as a substitute fielder. Mousley made a brilliant attempt as he leapt in the air and returned inside the rope to seemingly complete the catch. The umpires wanted to ensure the catch was taken cleanly and referred for a zoom-in angle. However, at first glance from the replay, it seemed Mousley’s feet were on the ground as he made first contact with the ball. But, Willey was adjudged out for a first-ball duck, splitting opinions.

Benefit of doubt for Fielding Side ? Doubtful Decision pic.twitter.com/86dfniLD9N

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) February 23, 2024

On the Dan Mousley catch: the burden of proof is on the replay to show that a fair catch wasn’t taken. If it can’t conclusively prove that then they stay with the default decision. The replay was unclear, though in my opinion, the shadow beneath the foot and ground is misleading pic.twitter.com/cBGUqpZ3VJ

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) February 23, 2024

If there was a contest for greatest ever PSL catches, Dan Mousley’s effort would be amongst the top 3.

Easily.

— Behram Qazi 🇵🇰 🇨🇦 (@DeafMango) February 23, 2024

One might argue whether the result of the match would have changed had the umpire ruled the close call in the batting team’s favour as the Sultans fell short of their target by five runs.