USA registered the first upset of the 2024 T20 World Cup, as they beat Pakistan in a Super Over at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Thursday, June 6.
USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pakistan got off to a disastrous start as they lost Mohammad Rizwan in the second over after Steven Taylor took a one-handed stunner at first slip off Saurabh Netravalkar. The former champions lost the wickets of Usman Khan and Fakhar Zaman inside the powerplay as the USA were on the prowl.
Shadab Khan came out to bat at No. 5 and stitched a crucial 72-run standoff over 48 balls with skipper Babar Azam to resurrect the Pakistan innings. However, after the all-rounder departed for a 25-ball 40, Usman Khan perished for a golden duck as Pakistan lost half their side for 98 runs. Babar was dismissed for a 43-ball 44 before cameos from Iftikhar Ahmed and Shaheen Afridi helped the Asian giants finish on 159/7 in their 20 overs.
In reply, the USA got off to a sedate start with Taylor and Monank Patel adding 35 runs in 31 balls before the former was dismissed by Naseem Shah. Andries Gous and Patel added 68 runs off 48 balls and Pakistan’s body language dropped off considerably. However, both of them were dismissed in consecutive overs as the tourists brought back life into the game. The USA captain played a handy knock of 50 off 38 balls but would have wanted to take his team home.
Hero of USA’s last game, Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar joined forces and they took their team to 145/3, with 15 to get off the last over. Babar entrusted Haris Rauf to bowl the 20th over. The first three balls yielded just three runs. Pakistan could have got the wicket of Jones but Shaheen Afridi dropped a regulation chance at mid-off. The fourth ball went for a six as Jones got one off the middle. The fifth ball yielded a single as five runs were needed off the last ball. Nitish, who had struggled during his knock, got just enough on the last ball to get his team a much-needed boundary to level the scores.
Also Read: T20 World Cup Schedule
Super Over madness ensues
The USA batted first in the Super Over and Jones and Harmeet Singh came out to the middle. The first ball bowled by Mohammad Amir went for a boundary to set things up nicely for the debutants. Amir was erratic with the ball and his teammates were sloppy on the field. The USA scored 18 runs in the over and only 10 came off the bat.
Netravalkar was given the responsibility of bowling the Super Over for the USA. He picked up the wicket of Iftikhar Ahmed off his third ball. Shadab came out to bat and a stroke of good fortune yielded Pakistan a boundary. Eventually, seven runs were needed off the last ball and Shadab could only get a single. The USA players were understandably cock-a-hoop after the result, while things were very gloomy in the Pakistan camp.
Below are some more highlights from the game:
On a fairly decent batting condition as a captain if you are playing 40+ ball inning with 100 strike rate. You aren’t helping your team cause. #babarazam
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 6, 2024
USA have to face 4 high quality pacers on this pitch which has some zip, but this so far with the ball and on the field has been super impressive. #PAKvUSA #T20WordCup
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 6, 2024
A super over! Irrespective of the result, Pakistan need to be very concerned by the quality of their bowling today
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 6, 2024
Another Super Over. Wow. 😮
This World Cup is already on steroids 🤩
USA must feel that it shouldn’t have come to this though…— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 6, 2024
USA🇺🇸 beat Pakistan🇵🇰 today!!
Won the series against Bangladesh.
Now started with 2 out of 2 wins in their inaugural WC. pic.twitter.com/YYIWSokn0b— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 6, 2024
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