GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — The United States pulled off a major upset in the T20 World Cup on Thursday, defeating powerhouse Pakistan in a super over.
It was the co-hosts’ second consecutive win in Group A after a commanding seven-wicket win over Canada.
Aaron Jones, who scored 94 off 40 balls as opener, was once again the star player for the home side as he scored a crucial knock of 36 off 26 balls to help take the match to the Super Over.
Jones hit a six, followed by a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary off the final ball left the scores level at 159-159 at the end of regulation.
Pakistan panicked in the Super Over after experienced fast bowler Mohammed Amir gave away 18 runs, including seven off a wide ball.
Left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar bowled brilliantly, taking 2-18 in his four overs and conceding just 13 runs in the Super Over to give the USA their most historic Twenty20 win yet against 2022 runners-up and 2009 champions Pakistan.
Iftikhar Ahmed smashed a boundary off Netravalkar’s second ball before holing out over long-off, but the left-arm seamer kept his cool to hand the United States a famous win.
It has been a disastrous start for captain Babar Azam’s Pakistan, who next face arch rivals India in New York on Sunday.
All five teams will compete against each other in the group stage, with each victory earning two points.
The top two teams will advance to the next round of the Super 8.
