In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosts the United States pulled off a spectacular upset by defeating defending champions Pakistan by five runs in a Super Over following a draw in their match at Grand Prairie Stadium.
After choosing to field first, the USA held Pakistan to 159/7 before matching the total and launching an outstanding run chase that forced Pakistan into a Super Over. After Haris Rauf’s final delivery, Nitish Kumar hit a boundary, bringing USA’s total to 159/3 in 20 overs and tying the score.
In the Super Over, Mohammed Amir was directionless and bowled three wides as Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh scored 18/1 in six balls. Aaron Jones was run out for 11 off the last ball of the One-Over Eliminator. Saurabh Netravalkar defended that despite being struck for a four off the second ball by Iftikhar. He too bowled two wides. He, however, got Iftikhar out for four with Nitish Kumar picking up a superb catch as Pakistan needed seven runs off the last ball but could manage only two, losing the match by five runs.
After defeating Canada in the tournament’s opening lung-opener on June 1, this is the United States’ second triumph in Group A. Pakistan will play their fiercest rivals, India, in New York on Sunday after losing their opening game. Opening batsman Steven Taylor went for 12 (16) in the last Powerplay over as the USA reached 44/1, needing to reach 160 to win.With a sensational 69-run partnership for the second wicket, captain Monank Patel and fellow tournament co-hosts Andries Gous put Pakistan on the back foot and appeared to be in control of the run chase. In particular, Monank was outstanding, scoring a sophisticated half-century to instill optimism in his team. Gous scored 35 off 26 balls, while he struck seven boundaries and one six in his exact 50 off 38 balls.
But Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack struck back, taking out the two set batsmen to set up an exciting finish at Grand Prairie Stadium. Haris Rauf overcame Gous (35 from 26) to secure the vital advantage. Additionally, Mohammad Amir gave Pakistan hope after he had the outstanding Patel caught behind for 50 from 38 one over later. Thanks to a great exhibition of death bowling, Pakistan had pushed to the verge of victory despite a brilliant innings from Aaron Jones. However, the United States of America amassed 11 runs off the last three deliveries of the innings, with Nitish Kumar hitting the final ball for four to force a Super Over and electrify the Dallas crowd.
Prior to some huge late blows from Shaheen Shah Afridi pushing the first-innings total to 159/7 after 20 overs, Pakistan recovered from the loss of early wickets thanks to a partnership between Babar Azam (44 from 43) and Shadab Khan (40 from 25). The co-hosts of the competition, Nosthush Kenjige (3/30 from 4) and Saurabh Netravalkar (2/18 from 4), led the way with the ball and gave their batters a chance against one of the top two in Group A.
Following the USA’s toss and decision to field, Pakistan found themselves in trouble when Usman Khan (3) holed out after seven balls, Fakhar Zaman went for 11, and Mohammad Rizwan (9) was dismissed by an incredible catch in the second over. Pakistan was getting closer to a competitive total as Babar and Shadab spearheaded the rebuild. However, Nosthush Kenjige’s two-ball dismissal of Azam Khan (0) and Shadab (40 from 25) with a first-baller gave the USA the upper hand once again. Jasdeep Singh trapped Babar leg before wicket for 44, ending his dominant innings and making him the highest run scorer in men’s T20 International history.
However, Iftikhar Ahmed (18 from 14) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (23 from 16) gave Pakistan a late surge, taking their total to 159/7. That wasn’t enough, though, as their bowlers bowled brilliantly in areas, allowing the USA to force a one-over eliminator and tie the game. Brief scores: United States of America 159/3 in 20 overs (Monank Patel 50, Andries Gous 35, Aaron Jones 36 not out; Mohammad Amir 1-25, Haris Rauf 1-37) tied with Pakistan 159/7 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 44, Shadab Khan 40; Nosthush Kenjige 3-30, Saurabh Netravalkar 2-16). USA prevailed by five runs in the One-Over Eliminator.