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The USA has made the first big upset of the T20 World Cup 2024 by defeating 2009 champions Pakistan in a super over in their Group A match. The match took place at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Losing the toss, Pakistan batted first and scored 159 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs. Captain Babar Azam scored the highest with 44 runs. In response, the USA also managed to score 159 runs for three wickets in 20 overs. Captain Monank Patel scored the highest with 50 runs, leading the match into a super over.
Super Over
In the super over, the USA batted first and scored 18 runs. In reply, Pakistan could only manage 13 runs in six balls. Monank Patel was named the player of the match. This was Pakistan’s first match in the T20 World Cup 2024, and they faced an unexpected defeat against a weaker USA team. With this win, the USA team has topped Group A with two wins and four points. India is in second place with two points after one match. Pakistan’s next match is against India on June 9, while the USA will play India on June 12.
'Indians' Lead USA to Victory
Captain Monank Patel and Sourabh Netravalkar were pivotal in the USA's victory. Monank scored 50 runs in the USA's chase. Sourabh bowled exceptionally well in the super over, restricting Pakistan to 13 runs.
Sourabh, a left-arm medium-fast bowler, was born in Mumbai in 1991. He took 30 wickets in six matches in the 2008-09 Cooch Behar Trophy, leading to his selection for the 2010 U-19 World Cup for India. Sourabh was the highest wicket-taker in a triangular series in South Africa before the World Cup. He played alongside KL Rahul, Jaydev Unadkat, and Mayank Agarwal in the 2010 U-19 World Cup in New Zealand. While the other three players made it to the senior Indian team, Sourabh did not. He moved to the USA for better opportunities and has represented the USA since then. He has also captained the American team.
Monank Patel was born in Anand, Gujarat, in 1993. This wicketkeeper-batsman started playing for the USA in 2018 and has represented the team since then. Monank played for Gujarat in U-16 and U-18 cricket. He received his green card in 2010 and permanently moved to the USA in 2016. Harmeet Singh, who played in the 2012 U-19 World Cup under Unmukt Chand's captaincy and helped India win the title, is also part of the USA team.
What Happened in the Super Over?
USA Super Over
For the USA, Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh came to bat, while Mohammad Amir bowled for Pakistan.
First ball: Jones hit a four.
Second ball: Two runs scored. Total 6 runs.
Third ball: Yorker, Jones took a single. Total 7 runs.
Next ball: Wide, one run. Total 9 runs.
Fourth ball: One run. Total 10 runs.
Next ball: Wide, one run. Total 12 runs.
Fifth ball: Two runs. Total 14 runs.
Next ball: Wide, one run. Total 17 runs.
Last ball: Single, Jones run out. USA scored 18 runs in the super over. Pakistan needed 19 runs to win.
Pakistan Super Over
Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman batted for Pakistan, with Sourabh Netravalkar bowling for the USA.
First ball: Beat the batsman. No run.
Second ball: Iftikhar hit a four. Total 4 runs.
Third ball: Iftikhar caught by Milind Kumar. Total 4 runs.
Shadab Khan came to bat, 14 runs needed from three balls.
Fourth ball: Ball hit Shadab's leg, went for four leg byes. Total 10 runs.
Fifth ball: Two runs. Total 11 runs. Pakistan needed 7 runs from one ball.
Last ball: Shadab managed only a single. Pakistan scored 13 runs in the super over.
USA's Thrilling Chase in Death Overs
Before the super over, the match between the USA and Pakistan ended in a tie after 20 overs. At one point, the USA seemed poised for an easy win, scoring 126 runs for three wickets in 16 overs, needing 34 runs in 24 balls. However, Pakistani bowlers turned the tables in the next three overs, conceding only 19 runs. In the 20th over, the USA needed 15 runs to win. Haris Rauf was bowling, with Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar at the crease.
First ball: Nitish took a single.
Second ball: Jones took a single.
Third ball: Single.
Fourth ball: Jones hit a six. USA back in the game.
Fifth ball: Single.
Last ball: Nitish hit a four, tying the match.
Pakistan's Innings
Batting first, Pakistan started poorly, losing three wickets for 26 runs. Mohammad Rizwan scored 9, Usman Khan 3, and Fakhar Zaman 11. Captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan then added 72 runs. Shadab scored 40 runs off 25 balls, including one four and three sixes. Azam Khan was out for a golden duck. Babar scored 44 runs off 43 balls. Iftikhar Ahmed scored 18 off 14 balls, Shahin Afridi remained unbeaten with 23 runs off 16 balls, and Haris Rauf scored 3 not out. For the USA, Nosthush Kenjige took three wickets, Sourabh Netravalkar took two, and Ali Khan and Jasdeep Singh took one each.
USA's Innings
In reply, the USA started steadily with Steven Taylor and Monank Patel adding 36 runs for the first wicket. Taylor was dismissed for 12 runs by Naseem Shah. Monank and Andries Gous then added 68 runs for the second wicket. Gous scored 35 runs off 26 balls. Monank completed his fifty with a six off Shaheen Afridi but was dismissed afterward, scoring 50 runs off 38 balls. Aaron Jones remained unbeaten with 36 runs off 26 balls, and Nitish Kumar scored 14 not out. Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf took one wicket each for Pakistan.
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