In a dramatic encounter in Dallas on Thursday, Team USA created a remarkable upset to topple Pakistan in a nail-biting Super Over in the 11th match of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Invited to bat first, Pakistan posted 159/7 with Babar Azam leading the charge with 44 off 33 balls, supported by Shadab Khan’s quick-fire 40 off 25. Nosthush Kenjige’s three wickets and Saurabh Netravalkar’s two helped keep their total up.
USA started the chase strongly and reached 104/1 after 13 overs. Pakistan fought back with decisive wickets, but heroics from Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar, including a last four from Kumar, took the match into a Super Over.
USA scored a challenging 18 runs in the super over and restricted Pakistan to 13 runs for an impressive and historic victory.
Captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan steadied the ship and mended the fractures of the first innings. Finding his rhythm, Shadab unleashed a flurry of stunning shots, swinging the momentum back to Pakistan.
Babar continued to anchor the innings, scoring 44 runs off 43 balls before being dismissed in the 16th over. Shaheen Afridi provided the final flourish, smashing 23 not out from 16 balls to lift Pakistan to a fighting total of 159/7.
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USA’s innings started with a hiccup when Steven Taylor departed early on 12 during the powerplay. Patel played sensibly and kept the score with some wonderful shots.
Gous played a steady innings and contributed a brisk 35 off 26 balls while Patel scored a fifty which helped steady the innings and set the stage for a competitive total.
In the ensuing Super Over, erratic bowling by Mohammad Amir and sloppy fielding by Pakistan allowed the USA to pile up 18 runs.
Former captain Saurabh Netravalkar got the ball to defend this unit. Despite a mixed start, he managed to dismiss Iftikhar Ahmed with a fantastic catch from substitute Milind Kumar as Pakistan managed only 13.
