Following a fantastic over, Pakistan crumbled as the United States prevailed in their thrilling final over T20 World Cup encounter in Dallas on Thursday.
After their super over, the US set a target of 19 runs, but the Green Shirts could only muster 13. After the host team tied the score on the final ball of the 20th over, the teams advanced to the super over. Prior to this, the US started carefully against the Green Team because Pakistan was discouraged by the home team’s early lead. As Steven Taylor was removed by Naseem Shah with the opening ball of his second over, Andries Gous’s following delivery went to the covers for four as his edge failed to reach Iftikhar Ahmed in slips.
The power play concluded at 44 with the loss of one wicket after Gous hit another boundary off Naseem. Shadab Khan was introduced by Babar Azam as Pakistan continued to hunt for their second wicket, but Gous and Monank Patel kept their side’s scoreboard ticking over easily.
Pakistan was earlier restricted to a score of 159-7 with the co-hosts hoping for an unexpected victory. In their first Group A match, the US defeated another non-Test nation Canada by chasing a target of 195, but now they faced a far better bowling assault. Still, after winning the toss, the US could be happy of their fielding performance against Pakistan, as they limited the 2009 T20 World Cup winners to 26-3.
Nosthush Kenjige, the first bowler, claimed 3-30 from his full four overs, including two wickets in two deliveries, while left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar grabbed a meagre 2-18.Before captain Babar (44) and Shadab (40) combined for a partnership of 72, Pakistan was in terrible shape at 26-3 after five overs. Shadab and Azam Khan were sent out by Kenjige in consecutive deliveries.
Pakistan, which finished second to England in the last T20 World Cup in Australia two years prior, was once again struggling at 98-5 until the final man, Shaheen Shah Afridi, scored an undefeated 23 to raise the total. Prior to Usman Khan’s spectacular one-handed catch off Kenjige, which saw Pakistan down 14-2, Mohammad Rizwan was well taken at slip by Steven Taylor off Netravalkar.
