USA vs PAK T20 World Cup Cup: Pakistan's Heartbreak as USA Secures Dramatic Super Over Victory
Babar Azam expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the team’s overall performance following their surprising defeat to the PAK vs USA in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He pointed to shortcomings in all areas of the game, which led to the dramatic loss in the Super Over.
Pakistan Stunned by USA in T20 World Cup Super Over Thriller
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign faced a severe jolt as the United States clinched a nail-biting victory in a super over during their match in Dallas on Thursday. Despite setting a competitive total and showcasing their bowling prowess, Pakistan fell short in the PAK vs USA T20 World Cup by 6 runs in the super over, ending with 13 against the USA’s 19.
Match Recap: Pak vs USA
The regular 20 overs saw an intense battle with both teams ending tied, forcing the match into a super over. The USA, playing with remarkable spirit and resilience, leveled the scores on the final ball of their innings, showcasing their tenacity.
Pakistan's Innings
Batting first, Pakistan posted 159-7, a total that seemed competitive but not insurmountable. The innings started shakily with Pakistan reduced to 26-3 inside five overs. Nosthush Kenjige’s left-arm spin wreaked havoc, taking 3-30, including two crucial wickets in consecutive balls. Saurabh Netravalkar complemented the attack with a disciplined 2-18.
Captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan steadied the ship with a crucial 72-run partnership. However, successive dismissals of Shadab and Azam Khan to Kenjige left Pakistan reeling again. Tailender Shaheen Afridi’s unbeaten 23 provided a late boost to the total.
USA's Chase
Chasing 160, the USA started cautiously but lost Steven Taylor early to Naseem Shah. Andries Gous and Monank Patel then formed a solid partnership, keeping the scoreboard ticking and ending the powerplay at 44-1. Gous’s aggressive batting put pressure on Pakistan’s bowlers, and despite continuous efforts from Pakistan’s pace attack, the USA managed to keep up with the required run rate.
Aaron Jones’s quick-fire 36 off 26 balls and Patel’s composed 50 off 38 balls were instrumental in taking the game into the super over. Haris Rauf’s expensive last over, yielding 14 runs, was pivotal in the USA leveling the scores.
Super Over Drama PAK vs USA
The super over turned out to be a dramatic conclusion to an already thrilling match. Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir bowled the over but struggled with control, conceding 18 runs, including three wides. The USA set a formidable target of 19 runs for Pakistan to chase.
Despite a valiant effort, Pakistan could only muster 13 runs in their super over, with Netravalkar’s tight bowling sealing a memorable victory for the USA
Post-Match Reactions
The USA captain expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing their focus and resilience. “We are not worried about what people are saying, we know what capability we have and we just focus on the particular game,” he stated. The victory is not only significant for the team but also a testament to the growing interest and competitive spirit of cricket in the United States.
Teams and Umpires
United States: Steven Taylor, Monank Patel (capt/wkt), Andries Gous, Aaron Jones, Nitish Kumar, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Jasdeep Singh, Nosthush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ali Khan.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (wkt), Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf.
Umpires: Allahuddien Paleker (RSA), Michael Gough (ENG). TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS).
Looking Ahead
This defeat serves as a wake-up call for Pakistan, who are renowned for their prowess in T20 cricket. They must regroup quickly as they prepare for their next group matches. Meanwhile, the USA’s victory is a landmark moment, likely to inspire a new generation of cricket enthusiasts in the country.
Stay tuned to Khelo Pakistan for more updates and in-depth analysis of the T20 World Cup 2024.
