The USA pulled off a monumental upset in the T20 World Cup with a thrilling Super Over victory against Pakistan in Texas.
The match extended to a Super Over after both teams scored 159 runs in their allotted 20 overs at Grand Prairie Stadium. Co-hosts and debutants USA managed to tie Pakistan’s score by scoring 14 runs in the final over.
In the Super Over, the USA batted first and set a tough target by scoring 18 for one. Aaron Jones added 11 runs before getting run out, with an additional seven runs from extras. Pakistan’s Iftikhar Ahmed managed five runs off three balls before being caught near the boundary by Nitish Kumar. USA bowler Saurabh Netravalkar then restricted Pakistan to 13 for one.
Having already defeated Canada by seven wickets in their opener, Group A leaders USA are now in a strong position to advance to the Super 8s round. The two leading teams from each of the four groups progressed to the tournament’s final eight.
USA captain Monank Patel, who earned the player of the match award, described the victory as a significant achievement. He expressed pride in his team’s complete effort from start to finish, highlighting the bowlers’ role in keeping Pakistan under 160, which he knew was a chaseable target.
On the other hand, Pakistan captain Babar Azam criticized his team’s batting performance, noting their failure to capitalize and create partnerships. He acknowledged the USA’s superior performance in all aspects of the game.
During their regular innings, Pakistan recovered from a slow start to reach 159 for seven, with Babar Azam scoring 44 off 43 balls, Shadab Khan adding 40 off 25, and Shaheen Afridi contributing an unbeaten 23 off 16 balls.
The USA appeared to dominate as they reached a score of 104 for one by the 14th over. However, after Monank Patel was dismissed in the 15th over, it required a six from Jones and a four from Kumar in the final moments to tie the match and force the Super Over.
This win marks a historic moment for cricket in the United States, the first time the ICC has held a major tournament in the country, which is co-hosting with the West Indies. Patel believes that the victory over Pakistan will open many doors for cricket in the USA and raise awareness within the cricket community.
Before the tournament, the USA had already made headlines by defeating Bangladesh 2-1 in a warm-up series. Patel emphasized their focus on their capabilities and preparation, disregarding external opinions about their performance.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will face India in Group A of the Men’s T20 World Cup on Sunday, with the match taking place in New York. The USA’s next match is also against India at the same New York venue on Wednesday, June 12.
Both matches will be played at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium on Long Island. The ICC has promised to address pitch issues following earlier matches at the venue, ensuring the best possible surfaces for the remaining games.
