The United States of America has pulled off one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history, defeating Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over contest in Dallas on Friday morning AEST.
The host nation, playing its first T20 World Cup, successfully defended a 19-run target during a tense Super Over at Grand Prairie Stadium to secure its second victory of the tournament, having defeated Canada at the same venue earlier in the week.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir conceded 18 runs during his sloppy Super Over, including seven wides, with Aaron Jones again proving America’s saviour with the bat.
India-born paceman Saurabh Netravalkar, who earlier claimed 2-18 during the regulation innings, sealed the historic victory by conceding 13 runs and dismissing rival captain Babar Azam, caught at long-off by Nitish Kumar.
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Earlier, Pakistan posted 7-159 from its 20 overs after USA captain Monank Patel won the toss and chose to bowl first, with spinner Nosthush Kenjige taking 3-30. Azam top-scored with a cautious 44 (43), while all-rounder Shadab Khan provided some late fireworks by clobbering 40 (25).
Patel blasted a 34-ball fifty to get America’s run chase off to a flying start, but some superb death bowling from Pakistan’s seamers sent the contest down to the wire.
Needing 12 runs from the final three deliveries, Jones (36* from 26 balls) and Kumar (14* from 14 balls) struck six, one and four off Pakistan quick Haris Rauf to force the one-over decider.
The USA, ranked 18th in the world, had previously only defeated Ireland and Bangladesh among Test-playing nations in the T20 format.
“It’s a huge achievement. For us to beat Pakistan, we are playing them for the first time, I am just so proud of how we played,” Patel said.
“It was a proper team effort from first ball until the last. Winning the toss, we knew we had to make sure we utilised conditions and credit to our bowlers for doing that.
“We knew that 160 was chaseable on this pitch. I am pleased with my innings, happy to contribute but mostly happy to win as a team.
“As a player you want to show up for the big occasions and I am delighted to contribute to a winning cause.”
Pakistan, who has an infamous reputation for poor starts in ICC tournaments, will next face rivals India at New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Monday morning, with the first ball scheduled for 12.30am AEST.
“We weren’t up to it in the first six overs with the ball as usual, not taking wickets again,” Azam said after the defeat.
“And then our spinners are not taking wickets in the middle either. But it’s early in the tournament, we will come back from this.
“Yes, our task ahead is hard. But credit to USA, they performed so well today. They were better than us in all aspects of the game.”
