USA secures nail-biting win over Pakistan in T20 World Cup thriller

In their second match of the T20 World Cup 2024, held at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the USA triumphed over Pakistan by five runs after a nail-biting Super Over. Pakistan, batting first, set a target of 160 runs, which the USA managed to equal on the final ball, ending their innings at 159-3.

During the Super Over, the USA faced Mohammad Amir from Pakistan and scored 18-1. In response, Pakistan fell short, scoring only 13-1, thus losing the match by five runs.

The USA approached their innings with caution, with captain Monank Patel leading the charge, scoring 50 runs before being dismissed by Mohammad Amir. As the game reached its climax, the USA needed 21 runs from the last 12 balls. Amir bowled an impressive over, conceding just six runs, leaving 15 runs to be defended in the final over.

Haris Rauf took over for the last over, but the situation turned against him. After being hit for a six on his fourth ball, the USA needed six runs from the last two balls. On the final delivery, with five runs required, Nitish Kumar hit a four, leveling the scores.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi went wicketless, while Amir, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf each took one wicket.

Pakistan's innings started poorly, with the USA bowlers dismissing top-order batsmen Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, and Fakhar Zaman for just 26 runs. However, captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan stabilized the innings with a cautious partnership.

Their 72-run partnership revived Pakistan's prospects until Shadab was dismissed for 40 off 25 balls. Following his dismissal, Azam Khan was out for a golden duck, and wickets continued to fall. Babar Azam managed 44 off 43 balls, while Iftikhar Ahmed added 18 runs.

Shaheen Afridi contributed valuable lower-order runs, scoring 23 off 16 balls, helping Pakistan to finish their innings at 159-7 in the allocated overs.