The United States of America, one of the co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2024, accomplished a historic upset on Thursday, June 6, stunning Pakistan in a breathtaking match that went down to the wire at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The showdown ended in an exhilarating Super Over after both teams were deadlocked at 159 runs apiece in their respective 20-over innings. The victory ensures that the USA remains undefeated in the tournament, propelling them to the top of Group A.
During the initial 40-over contest, tension reached a crescendo as the USA needed 11 runs from the last three balls of their innings to tie the game. Demonstrating nerves of steel, the American batsmen delivered under pressure, bringing the match to an exhilarating Super Over, much to the delight of the home crowd.
In the Super Over, the USA batted first, sending in Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh to face Pakistan’s veteran bowler, Mohammad Amir. The pair skillfully amassed 18 runs, with only 10 coming off the bat, as Amir struggled with his line and length, conceding crucial wides. This set a challenging target for Pakistan, laying the groundwork for the USA’s bowlers.
Pakistan’s response in the Super Over saw Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman stepping up to face Saurabh Netravalkar, a former India U19 World Cup pacer. Netravalkar displayed remarkable composure and discipline, restricting the Pakistani batsmen to just 13 runs and claiming the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed. Consequently, the USA clinched the match by a narrow margin of five runs, solidifying their stature in the cricketing world.
This momentous win propels the USA to the top of the points table in Group A, displacing cricketing giants India with a perfect record of two wins in as many matches. The American team, making their debut in an ICC World Cup event, demonstrated their prowess by outperforming a formidable Pakistani side across all aspects of the game.
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In the earlier stages of the match, Pakistan’s top order wilted under the relentless pressure from the USA’s pace attack. Captain Babar Azam and all-rounder Shadab Khan were the exceptions, compiling a vital 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket after a perilous start at 66 for 3 in 10 overs. Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with a restrained 44 runs off 43 balls, anchoring the innings that eventually culminated in a total of 159 for 7 in 20 overs.
Key figures in the USA’s bowling arsenal included Nosthush Kenjige, who marked his return to the starting eleven by taking three wickets for 30 runs, and Netravalkar, who bagged two wickets for merely 18 runs, providing crucial breakthroughs at pivotal moments.
As the USA began their challenging chase, they faced an early setback with the dismissal of opener Steven Taylor during the powerplay. However, captain Monank Patel and number three batsman Andries Gous steered the innings with a resolute 68-run stand for the second wicket. Patel, who later earned the Player of the Match award for his stellar knock of 50 runs off 38 balls, was instrumental in setting the foundation for the chase.
Despite the solid platform laid by Patel and Gous, Pakistan staged a spectacular comeback in the death overs, with adept spells from their pace trio of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Amir. These bowlers tightened the screws, limiting the USA to 159 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs and forcing the match into a Super Over.
Nevertheless, the ensuing Super Over highlighted Pakistan’s lapses, particularly in fielding, which leaked crucial runs and ultimately tilted the balance in favor of the hosts. The victory cements the USA’s position as serious contenders in the tournament and leaves a significant dent in Pakistan’s campaign.
This victory is a landmark moment for American cricket, proving that the hosts are not just participating but are here to compete and excel on the global stage. With their undefeated streak intact and the top spot in Group A secured, the USA has set a precedent, making their presence felt in this T20 World Cup.
