By After outplaying Bangladesh in their buildup to the 2024 T20 World Cup, the United States of America showcased their prowess by stunning Pakistan at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas on Thursday (June 6).
In a collective team effort, several players stepped up for the USA. Nosthush Kenjige and Saurabh Netravalkar’s excellent bowling restricted Pakistan to 159/7 after the hosts chose to bowl first. Monank Patel, Aaron Jones, and Andries Gous made valuable contributions, while Nitish Kumar played a crucial role, scoring 14 runs, including a four off the final ball that forced the game into a Super Over.
Pakistan seemed out of sorts and lacked discipline throughout the match, including the Super Over, as the USA defended 18 runs to secure a historic win and move to the top of the Group A table.
USA Achieves Giant-Killing Act with Super Over Win against Pakistan
In the Super Over, Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh batted for the USA. Jones started aggressively, hitting a boundary off the first ball from Mohammad Amir. Despite Amir’s efforts to bowl yorkers and prevent boundaries, he conceded several wides, allowing the USA to score 18 runs. Saurabh Netravalkar bowled for the USA and began with a dot ball to Iftikhar Ahmed. However, Iftikhar hit a four off the next delivery. He attempted to clear long off but was caught brilliantly by Milind Kumar. With Pakistan needing 14 runs off the final three balls, Netravalkar bowled another wide, followed by a boundary via leg-byes. With Pakistan needing 7 runs off the last ball, Shadab Khan failed to score the required runs, and the USA secured a famous victory.
Earlier in the match, Pakistan started poorly, losing wickets in the powerplay. Despite a brief resurgence led by Shadab Khan and Babar Azam in the middle overs, Pakistan struggled to accelerate. Shaheen Afridi’s late cameo helped Pakistan reach 159/7.
In response, the USA got off to a positive start, with Monank Patel scoring boundaries regularly. Despite losing Steven Taylor early, Gous and Monank built a solid partnership. Gous played some elegant shots, while Monank accelerated, scoring a brisk fifty. However, Pakistan fought back, removing both set batsmen. In the final overs, Jones and Nitish Kumar played crucial innings, taking the game to a Super Over with a boundary off the last ball.
The USA will have a five-day break before their next match against India on June 12 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Pakistan will face India on June 9 at the same venue.
