Newcomers USA on Thursday shocked former champions Pakistan via the Super Over to record their biggest win in a T20 World Cup match that reflected the shambolic state of affairs in the Asian giants’ cricket.
The result was reminiscent of Pakistan’s three-wicket loss to Ireland in the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies, which knocked them out of that tournament.
USA thus jumped to the top of Group A points table with two wins from as many games ahead of the clash against India. USA had defeated Canada by seven wickets in their opener.
pting to field, left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige scalped three wickets for 30 runs as Pakistan found it difficult to press the accelerator and were restricted to 159 for seven.
While chasing, USA ended on the same score, reaching 159 for 3 with skipper Monank Patel (50 off 38), Aaron Jones (36 not out of 26) and Andries Gous (35 off 26) leading from the front.
In the Super Over bowled by Mohammad Amir, USA piled up 18 runs, eight of which came from extras.
Saurabh Netravalkar then kept his cool and bowled brilliantly to give away just 13 runs for a famous win.
In another embarrassment for Pakistan, they took longer time than usual to come out to bat in the Super Over, keeping the USA fielders waiting and getting the on-field umpires involved.
Earlier, USA’s decision to bowl first worked as Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed in the second over, caught by Steven Taylor off Netravalkar (2/18).
USA started their chase on a bright note, scoring 44 runs in the powerplay.
Patel led from the front as he played his shots to pick up consecutive boundaries off Shaheen Shah Afridi in the fourth over.
Naseem Shah gave Pakistan the first breakthrough when Taylor nicked one to Mohammad Rizwan behind the stumps.
Bur new man Andries Gous meant business as he picked up two fours in the same over.
Gous was particularly elegant square of the wicket as he just opened his bat a bit to pick up another four off Haris Rauf.
USA’s body language was positive with Patel and Gous leading the charge.
Patel showed his prowess through the off-side, picking up two consecutive boundaries off Iftikhar Ahmed through the cover region.