The USA achieved perhaps the biggest shock in cricket history by defeating Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Dallas.
The Americans sealed their victory in dramatic fashion, with the match going to a super over after both sides finished their innings at 159 runs at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium. Batting first in the super over, the USA scored 18-1, with Aaron Jones contributing 11 before being run out, and seven runs coming from extras.
Iftikhar Ahmed then took Pakistan to 5-0 off three balls in their super over before he was brilliantly caught by Nitish Kumar near the boundary. USA bowler Saurabh Netravalkar restricted Pakistan to 13-1, securing the win.
During their regular innings, Pakistan started slowly, recovering from 26-3 in the fifth over to reach 159-7. Captain Babar Azam hit two sixes in his 43-ball 44, Shadab Khan added 40 off 25 deliveries, and Shaheen Afridi scored an unbeaten 23 off 16 balls.
The USA, who previously beat Canada by seven wickets, seemed to be cruising in their reply, reaching 104 for one in the 14th over. Skipper Monank Patel’s 38-ball 50 and Andries Gous’ 35 off 26 deliveries left them needing 56 runs to win off 44 balls.
After Monank was dismissed in the 15th over, it required a six from Jones off the penultimate ball and a four from Kumar off the final delivery to tie the match and force the super over.
Both teams will play India in New York next, with Pakistan facing them on Sunday and the USA on Wednesday. The USA camp’s celebrations are underway, with cricket fans around the world left astounded by the result.
One fan remarked, “USA have just beaten Pakistan in a game of T20 Cricket at the World Cup. Genuinely never thought I’d ever see that fixture, never mind that result. One of the biggest upsets, if not the biggest upset, in cricket history. Wow.”
Another fan added, “TAKE A BOW, USA…!!!! Playing their first match against Pakistan and hammered them, this will go down as one of the greatest performances by an associate team in T20 World Cup history.”
A thrilled supporter declared, “USA DEFEATED PAKISTAN IN T20I WORLD CUP 2024. One of the biggest days in USA cricket…!!!!!” Meanwhile, another fan proclaimed, “USA STUNS PAKISTAN AT THE MEN’S T20 CRICKET WORLD CUP. Biggest upset in the sport’s history.”
Credit: TalkSport
