In a historic upset, the United States pulled off one of the biggest shocks in cricket history by defeating Pakistan in a super over showdown in Dallas.
The thrilling match saw Pakistan seemingly avoid embarrassment at the T20 World Cup until Nitish Kumar’s last-ball four tied the scores at 159 for the US.
Despite Pakistan’s early dominance, they faltered in the tie-breaker, with Mohammad Amir’s three wides and some fielding errors allowing the US to seize control.
With the US posting 18-1 in the super over, Pakistan needed 19 runs off left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar. However, crucial interventions from Kumar, including a stunning catch, limited Pakistan’s chase to just 18 runs.
The nail-biting encounter showcased remarkable performances from both sides, with Pakistan recovering from a shaky start to post 159-7, while the US displayed composed batting and immaculate fielding.
The victory marks a significant milestone for the US cricket team, which only played its first T20 international in 2019 and had never before faced Pakistan in an official international match.
Led by coach Stuart Law, the US team demonstrated their prowess and resilience, outplaying Pakistan to secure a historic win.
For Pakistan, the defeat raises concerns of an early exit from the tournament, while the US now stands on the brink of qualification after defeating Canada in their opening game.
This thrilling match not only showcases the growing popularity of cricket in America but also underscores the US team’s emergence as a formidable contender on the international stage.
