A New Dawn for American Cricket? USA Stuns Pakistan in a Last-Ball Super Over Thriller

It wasn’t just a win, it was a Statement from the United States to the world of cricket. Team USA stunned the cricketing world by defeating a star-studded Pakistan in a dramatic Super Over finish at Dallas. The final moments were a mix of disbelief and elation, as the American underdogs roared to victory against a Pakistan lineup featuring veterans like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Amir. The jubilant USA faithful witnessed their team play with unprecedented spirit and tenacity from the first delivery, making it one of the most memorable days in U.S. cricket history. Meanwhile, Pakistan was left to grapple with one of the most heartbreaking defeats, with 6th June going down as one of the darkest days in the history of Pakistan cricket.

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Toss and Innings Breakdown

The toss has been a crucial part of this 2024 T20 World Cup, and going by the trend, it was going to be equally important in this game as well. The hosts got off to an ideal start by winning the toss, and as expected, they decided to invite the visitors to bat first.

First Innings

Pakistan’s innings began with a bang. After a brief hiatus, Rizwan and Babar reunited at the crease. Rizwan launched the third ball of the first over for a six, but his joy was short-lived. Netravalkar, bowling with exceptional control, dismissed him with a delivery that found the edge and was superbly caught by Steven Taylor. The misery continued for Pakistan as Kenjige sent the highly-rated Usman Khan packing in his second over. Netravalkar and Ali Khan kept a tight leash on the dangerous Babar Azam, restricting him to a meager 4 runs from 14 deliveries. 

With the Pakistani batting order teetering, Shadab Khan injected some much-needed momentum. Babar finally broke free, contributing a few boundaries and a six. However, the tide turned again in the 13th over as Kenjige removed both Shadab and Azam Khan in quick succession. Babar eventually departed for a painstaking 44 off 43 balls. A brief partnership between Iftikhar and Shaheen offered a glimmer of hope, but Iftikhar’s dismissal left Pakistan with a below-par total of 159 for 7. Despite Shaheen’s late flourish, the American bowlers had dominated the innings.

Second Innings

With 160 runs on the board and facing the 18th-ranked team in the United States, the odds seemed heavily in favor of the Men in Green. However, despite dominating for a significant portion of the first innings, Pakistan’s bowlers, renowned globally for their prowess, started off with a mediocre performance. Shaheen and Amir struggled with their rhythm, delivering poor lines and numerous full tosses, allowing the American batters to settle in and play their shots. The tide began to turn in the fifth over when Naseem Shah struck with the first ball, dismissing the dangerous Steven Taylor.

Andries Gous and Monank Patel, undeterred by Taylor’s wicket, continued their innings with confidence and authority. They showcased their batting skills against the highly-ranked Pakistani bowlers, forging a 50-plus partnership that brought the U.S. team tantalizingly close to a historic victory. By the end of the 13th over, the hosts were well-placed at 104 for 1, needing just 56 runs from 42 balls. Haris Rauf, who had looked average up to that point, was handed the responsibility to break the partnership. He delivered immediately, cleaning up Gous on the first ball of the 14th over.

In the following over, Muhammad Amir dismissed the well-set Monank Patel with his first delivery. As the Pakistani bowlers found their rhythm, they tightened their grip, offering nothing to the U.S. batters. From a commanding position, the U.S. found themselves in a 50/50 contest. Amir, tasked with the penultimate over, showcased his experience by conceding only 6 runs, leaving the U.S. needing 15 runs from the final over.

Haris Rauf, who had bowled an excellent 14th over, was entrusted with defending those 15 runs against Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar. He conceded just 3 runs from the first three balls, putting Pakistan in a seemingly unassailable position. However, on the fourth ball, Rauf delivered a full toss that Jones smashed for a huge six over mid-wicket. The subsequent ball yielded only a single, setting up a nail-biting finish. With one ball remaining and the U.S. needing a six to tie, Nitish Kumar struck a four over mid-on, taking the game to a thrilling super over.

Super Over

Despite Pakistan’s struggles throughout the match, their performance dipped even lower during the super-over. Amir, who had bowled an exceptional 19th over, was entrusted with bowling the super over for Pakistan. On his first delivery, a cutter aimed wide outside off stump, the dangerous Aaron Jones easily cut the ball for a four—the only boundary the U.S. batters managed in the super over. Despite hitting just one boundary, the U.S. ended the super over with a score of 18, thanks in part to Amir conceding 7 runs in extras.

Finally, Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman emerged from the dressing room to bat for Pakistan. Saurabh Netravalkar, who had been excellent throughout the match, started the super over with a dot ball. On the very next delivery, he switched tactics, delivering a slower cutter that Iftikhar Ahmed smoked for a four towards mid-wicket. A wide ball followed, leaving Pakistan needing 14 runs off the remaining 4 balls. Netravalkar struck back immediately, as Iftikhar failed to clear the ropes and was caught at mid-on. With 14 needed off 3, Shadab Khan, surprisingly chosen over Azam Khan, came out to bat. Pakistan managed only 7 runs off the next 2 balls, leaving them with just one option on the final delivery: hit a six. Shadab could only manage a single, and the hosts erupted in celebration, marking one of the greatest wins in T20 World Cup history.

Man of the Match

Monank Patel, the captain and leader of the team, was awarded Man of the Match for his outstanding 50 off 38 balls. Crucially, he weathered the opening spells of Shaheen, Naseem, and Amir without conceding any ground to Pakistan, which was undeniably one of the biggest challenges for the Pakistani bowlers. His resilience and skill were key factors in securing this historic win.

Tough Path Ahead for Pakistan and USA All Set for a Super 8 Appearance?

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign hangs by a thread after their crushing defeat to the USA. Many believe this is the end of their title hopes. The pressure is immense, but Pakistan has a history of defying the odds. They need to win all three remaining matches to progress, a daunting task.

Meanwhile, the USA, ranked 18th and considered an underdog, finds itself on the cusp of a historic achievement. One win from their next two games against India and Ireland could propel them into the Super 8. While India presents a significant challenge, the USA’s victory over Pakistan and their past win against Canada boost their confidence. Riding this momentum, a victory over Ireland isn’t out of the question.