United States of America (USA) created history as they defeated Pakistan in the super over of their T20 World Cup 2024 match on June 6. This was the first T20I between these two teams ever.
USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first. Mohammad Rizwan (9), Usman Khan (3), Fakhar Zaman (11), and Azam Khan (0) battled against American spinners and pacers.
Babar Azam anchored one end and, along with Shadab Khan (40 off 25 balls), helped Pakistan come back into the game. They scored 72 runs for the fourth wicket before Shadab went. Babar Azam persisted, but Jasdeep Singh dismissed him after 43 balls and 44 runs, including three fours and two sixes.
Pakistan eventually concluded with 159/7 after 20 overs. For the USA, Nosthush Kenjige picked 3/30.
In reply, captain Monank Patel made a brilliant 50 runs and formed crucial partnerships with Andries Gous (35) and then Aaron Jones (36*). Though the USA lost the plot somewhat in the middle overs, Jones and Nitish Kumar ensured they had minimal to chase in the final over.
But with 15 needed off 6 balls, bowled by Haris Rauf, Jones managed to hit Amir for a six, and then with 5 needed off the final ball, Nitish Kumar hit a four to tie the match.
The super over was bowled by Mohammad Amir and he bowled very poorly to concede 18 runs. Aaron Jones had hit him for a four first-ball, but then Amir sprayed the balls conceding wides at an alarming rate.
Needing 19 to win the super over and save face, Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman strolled out to face Saurabh Netravalkar. Iftikhar hit Netravalkar for a four-second ball but was dismissed on the next delivery. Pakistan then got a bonus of 4 runs when the ball grazed Shadab Khan’s pads and went for four.
However, Netravalkar kept his cool and Pakistan could only manage 13/1 in super over with 19 needed. The USA players went bonkers as they won the super over and defeated their second full-member Test nation in T20Is, after Bangladesh.
Captain Monank Patel received Player of the Match for his brilliant 50. USA will next face India on June 12 in New York, while Pakistan will take on India on June 9, also in New York.
The cricket fraternity was exhausted thanks to this thrilling encounter but didn’t leave any stone unturned when it came to lauding the USA team for their spirited victory over Pakistan.
Here are the posts:
