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The USA shocked the cricket world with a famous, Super Over, victory over the 2022 finalists, Pakistan in a Group A T20 World Cup match in Dallas on Thursday.
The Eagles, needing 15 runs off the final over of regulation play, managed 14 runs from the final six deliveries, 11 of which came off the final three balls to send the match into “overtime”.
Mohammad Amir was entrusted with the ball for the losing finalists from 2022 but Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh managed to score 18 runs from six balls with Jones being run out off the final ball going for a second run.
In reply, Pakistan required 19 runs to win the match, however, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan were unable to get their side over the line, falling five runs short as the US secured a memorable victory in the Texas capital.
The USA won the toss and decided to bowl first with Pakistan reaching 159 for seven with captain Babar Azam (44) and Khan (40) top-scoring. Azam’s innings was pedestrian with three fours and two sixes from 43 deliveries while Khan gave some impetus to the innings, striking three maximums along with one four from 25 balls.
Shaheen Afridi managed two sixes and a four from 16 balls for an unbeaten 23 at the backend. Noshtush Kenjige was good value for money as the slow left-arm orthodox bowler claimed the wickets of Usman Khan (3), Azam Khan (0) and Shadab to end with 3-30 from his four overs.
Saurab Netravalkar provided excellent support with 2-18 in four overs dismissing opener Mohammad Rizwan (9) and Ahmed (18) along the way while Ali Khan (1-30) and Jasdeep Singh (1-37) picked up a wicket apiece.
In reply, Monank Patel struck seven boundaries and a six from 38 balls for a well-played 50 while South African-born Andries Gouws struck 35 from 26 balls as he and Patel added 68 runs for the second wicket from 48 balls.
Jones and Kumar forced the Super Over with an unbeaten stand of 48 from 35 balls to put the co-hosts in line for their second consecutive victory of the tournament.
The USA, who still have India and Ireland to play, have given themselves an excellent chance of making the Super Eight’s and will certainly target a victory over the Irish to progress.
The US have already beaten Ireland in a T20 match back in 2021 while also securing a wonderful series victory over Bangladesh in the leadup to the T20 World Cup.
For Pakistan, this must count as their worst defeat to a minnow side since they went down by three wickets to Ireland in a One Day International back in March 2007.
Gary Kirsten’s charges will have to win all their remaining games, including their crunch cross-border clash against India in three day’s time if they are to have any hope of progressing without counting on Ireland having to beat the USA in their final game.
