Saurabh Netravalkar was the star as the USA beat Pakistan via a Super Over by five runs. After cruising to victory against Canada, the co-hosts were looking to upset the 2009 winners on their ground.
It was the hosts who won the toss and elected to field first.
They got off to the perfect start when Netravalkar dismissed Mohammed Rizwan at 9-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesUsman Khan followed soon after at 14-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesThings did not improve for Pakistan, as Fakhar Zaman fell at 26-3.
a id=’G7q9bFULRHlkVXE8QhZF5w’ class=’gie-single’ href=’http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2155699260′ target=’_blank’ style=’color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;’>Embed from Getty ImagesThe 2009 winners needed their captain to get them out of a sticky situation, and he began his innings in a confident mood.
Embed from Getty ImagesShadab Khan was also in attacking mode.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut his cameo of 40 from 25 balls was ended by Nosthush Kenjige at 98-4.
Embed from Getty ImagesUSA was all over Pakistan, and the captain stood at the crease pondering what had happened to his side.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd it got worse when he lost Azam Khan at 98-5.
Embed from Getty ImagesPakistan’s captain attempted to steady the ship.
a id=’iCl0DtA9Sf5_1KGTjz5w_Q’ class=’gie-single’ href=’http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2154611827′ target=’_blank’ style=’color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;’>Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as he and Iftikhar Ahmed were steading the ship, the number four ranked batsman was on his way for a valiant 40 at 126-5.
Embed from Getty ImagesrIftikhar played some lovely shots.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as Pakistan was inching closer to a competitive score, Netravalkar claimed the right-hander as his second scalp at 139-7.
Embed from Getty ImagesShaheen Shah Afridi’s cameo of 23 from 16 took Pakistan to a competitive score of 159-7.
a id=’HCF1g1vtTVNRUm4ffGi05Q’ class=’gie-single’ href=’http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/1931888699′ target=’_blank’ style=’color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;’>Embed from Getty ImagesWas this enough, or were the USA about to chase down history?
USA Innings
The American Captain got the hosts off to a good start at 36-0 in 5 Overs.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Naseem Shah gave Pakistan the breakthrough at 36-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesMonank Patel was the star of the USA”s innings with 50 off 38.
Embed from Getty ImagesAndries Gous chipped in with some lovely shots.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as they took the match away from Pakistan, Haris Rauf got the breakthrough at 104-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesMohammed Aamir boosted Pakistan by dismissing the US Captain at 111-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Aaron Jones kept the hosts in the hunt with some lusty blows.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd he took the game into a Super Over with a cracking four straight down the ground.
Embed from Getty ImagesJoens cut the first ball of the Super-Over for four.
Embed from Getty ImagesAmir felt the pressure, conceding 19 runs of USA’s Super Over.
a id=’wSDkfr2SREhifLUYls19-A’ class=’gie-single’ href=’http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2155693465′ target=’_blank’ style=’color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;’>Embed from Getty ImagesIftikhar started of Pakistan’s Super Over with a boundary.
a id=’2rF6qPRvSx9Wo-28892BRA’ class=’gie-single’ href=’http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2155696388′ target=’_blank’ style=’color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;’>Embed from Getty ImagesBut he was out next ball to a great catch by Nitish Kumar at Long Off.
Netravalkar bowled out the Over smoothly, as Pakistan could only manage 14 runs, which meant the US won the Super Over by five runs.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a sensational all-round performance from a team that had experienced a lot in its short cricket history.
Reaction
“Beating Pakistan in the World Cup is going to open many doors for us,” “Hosting the World Cup in the USA and performing here as a team, it helps us to grow the cricket in the USA.”
Patel: BBC Sport
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Captain was critical of his side’s performance, especially with the bat.
“We failed to capitalise in the first six overs. Back-to-back wickets always put you on the back foot, as a batter you need to step up and build partnerships.”
Babar: GEO TV
This was the USA’s first win in T20 cricket after its debut in 2019.
The Americans are in 20th place in the T20 rankings.
Should they pull off a few more upsets and make it to the next stage, this will boost their ranking.
It may be the early stages of the tournament, but this win will surely inspire more cricket in the USA.
Is this the start of a resurgence for USA cricket?