The United States national cricket team pulled off a dramatic heist against Pakistan in the 11th match of the T20 World Cup 2024, securing a historic win via a nail-biting super over at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Pakistan, batting first after losing the toss, got off to a shaky start. Openers Mohammad Rizwan and Usman Khan fell cheaply, leaving them at 14/2 within the powerplay. Captain Babar Azam (44) and Shadab Khan (40) steadied the ship with a gritty partnership before Nosthush Kenjige rattled their wickets with two quick scalps. Pakistan ultimately finished with a modest total of 159/7 on the board, with Shaheen Afridi (23*) providing some late fireworks.
Chasing a seemingly manageable target, the US openers Steven Taylor and Monank Patel (50) got off to a flying start, stitching together a 36-run stand. Skipper Monank and Andries Gous (35) built upon the foundation, extending the partnership to 68 runs before wickets began to tumble. Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf choked the run flow, leaving the US needing 15 runs from the final over.
In a dramatic climax, Aaron Jones (36*) smashed a crucial six off the penultimate ball to keep the US in the hunt. With one run required, Nitish Kumar (14) calmly dispatched a boundary over mid-off, forcing the match into a super over.
The super-over was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Jones and Harmeet Singh opened the batting for the US, with Mohammad Amir conceding crucial extras. The US set a daunting target of 19 runs.
Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed came out to chase for Pakistan. The chase started brightly with Iftikhar hitting a boundary off the second ball. However, USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar held his nerve, dismissing Iftikhar in the fourth ball. Shadab Khan, who replaced Iftikhar, fell victim to a brilliant catch in the final delivery, needing seven runs for victory.
This remarkable win marks a significant moment for American cricket, showcasing their growing prowess on the international stage. The thrilling encounter kept fans on the edge of their seats and highlighted the ever-increasing competitiveness of the T20 format.
