The United States continued an impressive run in the T20 World Cup on Thursday, securing an improbable upset victory over Pakistan.
After opening up the tournament with a dominant win over Canada by seven wickets on Saturday, the U.S. followed it up with another strong performance.
The result of Thursday’s match was decided in the Super Over after both teams were tied at the end of the 40 overs of play, with the United States finally emerging victorious by five runs.
USA STUNS PAKISTAN AT THE MEN'S T20 CRICKET WORLD CUP 🚨<br><br>Biggest upset in the sport's history 🤯 <a href="https://t.co/V5x3QYrdWN">pic.twitter.com/V5x3QYrdWN</a>
WHAT. A. FINISH!!!! 🤩🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TeamUSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamUSA</a> wins their second match of the <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/T20WorldCup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@T20WorldCup</a> against Pakistan by 5 runs! 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USAvPK?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USAvPK</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreUSACricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreUSACricket</a> 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/hYuDW0zvTj">pic.twitter.com/hYuDW0zvTj</a>
After the win, the United States now has sole possession of first place in Group A with four points to go along with a 2-0 record. Pakistan currently sits at No. 3 in the group due to Thursday’s defeat.
Aaron Jones followed up his impressive performance against Canada with another tremendous game, scoring one of his two sixes to take the match into the super over. USA captain Monank Patel expressed his pride in his teammates after winning player of the match.
“It’s a big achievement, the way we played today,” Patel said, per The Guardian. “I’m really proud of the boys. We used the conditions really well, We played really well and brought the game really deep. The plan was to take off the pressure, happy that we got those two points. As a player you want to rise to the occasion in the big games.”
He also credited the United States’ strong start for the eventual win.
“I think winning the toss and taking wickets in the first six overs [was crucial] we kept them quiet and we knew they would take chances and I felt like 160 batting second we had a chance,” said Patel.
The U.S. now has a strong chance to move onto the Super 8 round, as the top two teams in each group will advance. Patel and the rest of the United States’ roster will now look ahead toward the team’s next match, a clash with India on June 12.
