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In a major upset at the 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosts USA defeated former champions Pakistan at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The match ended in a thrilling Super Over tie, where left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar emerged as the hero, securing USA's second consecutive win in the tournament.
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh expressed his discontent with Pakistan captain Babar Azam's strategy during the Super Over. Chasing a target of 19, Pakistan's decision to send Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman to bat backfired. Mohammed Amir's struggle against left-handed batter Harmeet and poor fielding efforts saw Pakistan manage only 13 runs, resulting in a 5-run loss in the Super Over.
Yuvraj, one of the brand ambassadors of the World Cup, took to social media to critique Babar's tactic. He suggested that Fakhar Zaman should have taken on Netravalkar, which could have disrupted the bowler's angles. However, Fakhar never got a chance to strike, as right-handed Shadab Khan faced the remaining deliveries after Iftikhar's dismissal.
“I don’t understand why didn't @FakharZamanLive take strike to a lefty seamer - when it is easier for a left hander to hit through the angle that bowler is tryin to create. Nonetheless have to give it to #TeamUSA @usacricket for making smart decisions under pressure, especially captain Monank Patel," wrote Yuvraj.
Yuvraj also sounded alarm bells for Pakistan ahead of their crucial match against India on Sunday in New York. With India coming off a win against Ireland, Pakistan faces a must-win situation to stay in contention for the next stage. He added, "Now, Pakistan needs a must-win against India & they surely need to bat & field better! With India's strong start, it's gonna be hard to beat us!”
The win propelled the USA to the top of the Group A table, followed by India, while Pakistan is yet to score in the tournament.
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