The United States claimed a dramatic Super Over win in the Twenty20 World Cup match against Pakistan on Thursday to lead the points table.
The match went to a tie-break decider after both teams chalked up 159 runs in a thriller at Texas’s Grand Prairie Stadium.
Pakistan made 13-1 off a Super Over bowled by left-arm fast-medium Saurabh Netravalkar in response to the US target of 19.
Mohammad Amir was the pick of the bowler for the Green Shirts. He made a roaring comeback after being hit for a four off first delivery. But later he leaked runs. Aaron Jones made 11 off six deliveries.
For Pakistan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman were the batting pair. Ahmed got out on his third delivery after hitting a four on the second delivery. The team’s best bet, Fakhar Zaman, remained on the non-striker end as Shadab Khan, the new batter, took double on the fifth delivery.
He hit the outside off delivery for a single when the Green Shirts needed six runs to tie the match.
First delivery: dot
Second delivery: four
Wide
Third delivery: Out.
Wide
Fourth delivery: four
Fifth delivery: one
Six delivery: one
First delivery: four
Second delivery: two
Third delivery: single
Two wides
Fourth delivery: single
Two wides
Fifth delivery: two
Three wides
Sixth delivery: single and run out
The Babar Azam-led side did not have the start they were looking for as they lost three early wickets in the powerplay. Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, and Fakhar Zaman were the three players who got out in the starting six overs of the game when field restriction is in place.
The visitors opened with their successful pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as they gave rest to the young star Saim Ayub, who performed well in the Pakistan Super League.
The Green Shirts, who aim to start their campaign with a victory, have played four pacers in the team with two all-rounders, and five batters including a wicketkeeper.
With their exceptional performances in past tournaments, the Babar Azam-led side is favourite but the US are not a side to ignore as they beat Canada in their first match.
The US had won the match by seven wickets as they chased 195 runs.
Azam was the leading run scorer for his side. He made 44 off 43 deliveries. All-rounder Shadab Khan was another batter who made a partnership with the skipper after the middle order collapsed.
More to follow…
