In a gripping encounter at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the United States secured a historic victory over Pakistan in a thrilling super over during the 11th match of the T20 World Cup 2024.
The run chase for the USA was spearheaded by Steven Taylor (12 runs from 16 balls, 1 four) and Monank Patel (50 runs from 38 balls, 7 fours and 1 six), who opened and displayed a stunning performance. Despite losing early wickets, the US skipper Monank, along with Andries Gous (35 runs from 26 balls, 5 fours and 1 six), played a crucial partnership that helped the hosts gain an advantage.
However, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir’s bowling made the chase challenging. After Monank’s dismissal, Aaron Jones (36* runs 26 balls, 2 fours and 2 sixes) and Nitish Kumar (14 runs from 14 balls, 1 four) steadied the innings.
In the final over, the USA needed 15 runs to win, and an intense battle ensued. Jones’s six in the third last ball brought the target closer, and a four by Nitish Kumar in the last ball forced the game into a super over.
In the super over, the USA batted first, scoring 18 runs. Pakistan’s chase faltered, and despite a valiant effort, they fell short by six runs, giving the USA a remarkable victory.
The match was not without controversy, as Pakistan’s innings faced criticism for its slow start and lack of early wickets. Despite Shadab Khan’s (40 runs in 25 balls) and Babar Azam’s (44 runs in 43 balls) efforts, Pakistan struggled to find boundaries.
The win marks a significant moment for the USA, showcasing their rising prowess in international cricket.
