USA triumphs in a super-over thriller against Pakistan

The US set a 19-run target after their super over but the Green Shirts could only manage 13.

The teams went to the super over after the home side levelled the score in the last ball of the 20th over.

The US earlier began cautiously against the Green Team as Pakistan got dispirited by the home side’s start.

Naseem Shah dismissed Steven Taylor on the first ball of his second over before Andries Gous’s edge on the next delivery dropped short of Iftikhar Ahmed in slips and went to the covers for four.

Gous smashed Naseem for another boundary and ended the power play at 44 for the loss of one wicket.

Pakistan hit 159/7 as they got their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign underway against tournament hosts USA at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas
Opener Steven Taylor departed for 12 (16) in the final over of the Powerplay, but Monank Patel and Andries Gous put Pakistan on the back foot with a brilliant partnership that moved the tournament co-hosts into treble figures and seemingly in control of the run chase.

But Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack hit back, removing both set batters to set up a nervy finale at the Grand Prairie Stadium.

Haris Rauf cleaned up Gous (35 from 26) to get the crucial breakthrough. And, an over later, Mohammad Amir had the excellent Patel caught behind for 50 from 38 to give Pakistan hope.

Earlier, a recovery partnership between Babar Azam (44 from 43) and Shadab Khan (40 from 25) helped Pakistan recover from the loss of early wickets against USA in Dallas, before some big late hits from Shaheen Shah Afridi boosted the first-innings total to 159/7 after 20 overs.

Nosthush Kenjige (3/30 from 4) and Saurabh Netravalkar (2/18 from 4) led the way with the ball for the tournament co-hosts, who have given their batters a chance against one of Group A’s big two.