DALLAS: The 2024 T20 World Cup recorded its first upset when the inexperienced United States (USA) cricket team beat the previous World Cup finalist Pakistan in a Super Over on Thursday at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
The thrilling game, filled with twists and turns, went down to the Super Over, where the co-hosts triumphed to secure the top position on the points table in Group A. Despite their vast experience, Pakistan failed to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the USA.
Pakistan, asked to bat first, had a disastrous start, managing only 30 runs in the powerplay and losing key wickets: Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Usman Khan. Skipper Babar Azam, anchoring the innings, started cautiously under pressure. Babar and Shadab Khan then forged a crucial 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 8 overs.
Shadab played aggressively, scoring 40 runs off 25 balls with a four and three sixes. Babar accelerated his scoring rate, ending with 44 off 23 deliveries. However, just as the pair looked set to push on, Nosthush Kenjige turned the game in USA’s favor. The left-arm spinner dismissed Shadab and followed it up by sending the out-of-form Azam Khan back for a golden duck.
Kenjige emerged as the standout bowler for the USA with impressive figures of 4-0-30-3. In the end, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s late hitting helped Pakistan reach 159 for 7. Saurabh Netravalkar, a former India U19 cricketer, also troubled Pakistan with a spell of 4-0-18-2, while Ali Khan and Jasdeep Singh took a wicket each.
USA began their chase strongly with Steven Taylor and Monank Patel putting together a 36-run partnership for the first wicket in 5.1 overs. Naseem Shah provided Pakistan with a much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Taylor for 12 off 16 balls.
Skipper Monank then took control, reaching his half-century off 34 balls. His 68-run partnership with Andries Gous put the USA in a strong position. Gous scored 35 off 26 balls with 5 fours and a six before Haris Rauf bowled him. The pair ensured the USA stayed on track with the required run rate.
Mohammad Amir dealt the USA a blow by dismissing Monank, who made 50 off 38. With the required run-rate hovering around 10, Aaron Jones, the hero of the match against Canada, stepped up to guide the USA.
Needing 12 runs off the last over, Jones hit Rauf for a six over mid-wicket followed by a four, pushing the match into a Super Over. Jones remained unbeaten on 36 off 26, demonstrating his composure once again.
Supper Over:
In the Super Over, Amir conceded 12 runs. Jones began with a boundary over third man, followed by a couple, a single, and a wide ball which allowed a bye. The USA set Pakistan a target of 19.
Netravalkar started with a dot ball and conceded a four on the second. Despite nerves, marked by a wide ball, he struck back by dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed. With seven needed off the last ball, Shadab could only manage a single.
Pakistan now needs to reassess and regroup before their next game against Rohit Sharma’s India on June 9.
