USA dominated proceedings for most of the match as they handed Pakistan a shock defeat on Thursday. Earlier in the day, they sent Pakistan in to bat first. Three quick wickets in the powerplay, including a spectacular grab from Steven Taylor, set the tone for the hosts. Pakistan were 26-3 at one stage and managed only 159-7 in the first innings.
With a 38-ball 50, captain Monank Patel was the driving force behind USA’s reply. The match went down to the wire as a last-ball four by Nitish Kumar took it to the super over.
USA made 18-1 in the tie-breaker, partly assisted by Mohammad Amir’s wayward bowling, who bowled seven wides. Left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar, who took 2-18 off his four overs earlier, was summoned by Monank to defend the total. The equation came down to six from the last ball, but Netravalkar held his nerve as he gave away a single to hand his side a historic win.
Before the tournament, they won a historic series against Bangladesh and entered the tournament high on confidence. They beat Canada comprehensively in their tournament opener.
The result brought out widespread reactions from the cricket community. Michael Vaughan, along with others, was critical of Pakistan’s performance as they crumbled under pressure, while praise for USA was universal.
Incredible performance by @usacricket .. A performance so far so typical of Pakistan cricket .. #PAKvUSA
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 6, 2024
I thought it was Pakistan v USA but it ended up being Panicstan v USA. #PakvsUSA #T20worldcup
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 6, 2024
Wow Netravalkar and Kumar doing it for Amreeka against Pakistan.
What a Great day for US cricket. Truly incredible #T20WorldCup— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 6, 2024
Celebrate in the Sardar Patel Institute of Technology in Mumbai. One of your alums has bowled a tremendous super over against Pakistan.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 6, 2024
USA deserve to win, they’ve just been magnificent & Pakistan completely under prepared, crumbling under pressure.
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 6, 2024
The USA cricket team beating Pakistan in a SUPEROVER in Texas in a World Cup just *feels* like the perfect batshit American thing to happen doesn’t it…#PakvsUSA
— Greg James (@gregjames) June 6, 2024
This is beyond huge. It’s seismic. USA have well and truly hit the big time! #t20worldcup
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) June 6, 2024
USA Zindabad: incredible result at the T20 World Cup which immediately vindicates the decision to expand the tournament to 20 teams
Pakistan on the brink of elimination after one game – lose to India on Sunday and they will be in serious trouble
— Matt Roller (@mroller98) June 6, 2024
USA have just beaten Pakistan in a game of T20 Cricket at the World Cup. Genuinely never thought I’d ever see that fixture, never mind that result. One of the biggest upsets, if not the biggest upset, in cricket history. Wow. #T20WorldCup
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) June 6, 2024
With that loss, Pakistan complicated their path to the second round. They are placed third behind Group A table-toppers USA and second-placed India. Their best scenario to stay in the hunt is to beat India on June 9. If they can’t, they will have to hope USA lose their remaining matches against Ireland and India and need to win their final two group fixtures.
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