Pakistan Falters in Super Over as USA Secures Victory
The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup game between USA and Pakistan ended in a dramatic tie at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, with both teams scoring 159 runs in their respective 20 overs. The match proceeded to a super over, where Mohammad Amir bowled for Pakistan. USA scored 18 runs in the super over, with Aaron Jones contributing 11 runs. For the USA, Saurabh Netravalkar bowled their over and conceded only 13 runs, giving USA the win in the game.
The match began with Pakistan batting first after the USA won the toss and chose to bowl. Pakistan’s innings had a rocky start as Mohammad Rizwan, the opener, was caught by Steven Taylor off the bowling of Saurabh Netravalkar for 9 runs from 8 balls, including one six. The next batsman, Usman Khan, didn’t last long either, scoring just 3 runs from 3 balls before being caught by Nitish Kumar off Nosthusha Kenjige. This left Pakistan at a precarious 14/2 in the 3rd over.
Fakhar Zaman attempted to steady the innings with an aggressive approach but was caught by Steven Taylor off Ali Khan after scoring 11 runs from 7 balls, which included one six. Babar Azam, meanwhile, anchored the innings with a solid 44 runs off 43 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes. However, the wickets kept tumbling around him.
Shadab Khan provided a much-needed boost to the score with a brisk 40 runs from 25 balls, featuring one four and three sixes. Unfortunately, Babar Azam was dismissed LBW by Jessy Singh in the 16th over, leaving Pakistan at 125/6. Azam Khan’s innings was short-lived as he was dismissed LBW by Nosthusha Kenjige for a golden duck immediately after Shadab’s departure, causing Pakistan to stumble at 98/5.
Iftikhar Ahmed chipped in with 18 runs off 14 balls, hitting three fours before being dismissed LBW by Saurabh Netravalkar. Shaheen Afridi added a vital 23 runs off 16 balls with one four and two sixes, while Haris Rauf remained unbeaten on 3 runs from 3 balls. Pakistan ended their innings at 159/7 in their allotted 20 overs, setting a competitive target of 160 runs.
Nosthusha Kenjige was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 30 runs in his 4 overs. Saurabh Netravalkar was exceptionally economical and effective, taking 2 wickets for 18 runs in his full quota of 4 overs. Ali Khan and Jessy Singh chipped in with one wicket each, with Ali conceding 30 runs in 4 overs and Jessy being a bit expensive, conceding 37 runs in 3 overs. Harmeet Singh bowled 4 overs for 34 runs without any success, while Corey Anderson bowled a single over for 6 runs.
Chasing a target of 160, USA’s innings started with Steven Taylor and Monank Patel opening the batting. Steven Taylor was dismissed for 12 runs off 16 balls, caught by Mohammad Rizwan off Naseem Shah’s bowling in the 6th over with the score at 36/1. Monank Patel played a crucial role in the chase, scoring a fluent 50 runs off 38 balls, including seven fours and one six, before being caught by Rizwan off Mohammad Amir in the 15th over, leaving the score at 111/3.
Andries Gous provided strong support with a quick 35 runs off 26 balls, hitting five fours and one six before being bowled by Haris Rauf in the 14th over. Aaron Jones took charge after Gous’s departure, playing a vital unbeaten inning of 36 runs off 26 balls with two fours and two sixes. Nitish Kumar also contributed with an unbeaten 14 runs off 14 balls, including one four. The USA managed to equal Pakistan’s score of 159 runs by the end of their 20 overs, resulting in a thrilling tie.
For Pakistan, the bowlers put in a valiant effort. Mohammad Amir was economical, taking 1 wicket for 25 runs in his 4 overs. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each claimed a wicket, conceding 26 and 37 runs respectively in their 4 overs. Shaheen Afridi, although wicketless, was economical with figures of 4-0-33-0. Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed bowled 3 and 1 over respectively, giving away 27 and 10 runs.
