T20 World Cup: USA down Pakistan in Super Over stunner

The United States pulled off an upset of epic proportions in their second game of the T20 World Cup, defeating Pakistan in a Super Over on Friday morning (AEST).

The USA are ranked No.18 in the world and making their first World Cup appearance, while Pakistan are No.6, won the tournament in 2009, and finished runner-up in 2022.

Yet none of that mattered for three hours in Dallas, where the home side performed brilliantly under pressure.

Sleepy Pakistan punished by sharp USA

The hosts got off to a strong start by winning the toss and opting to put Pakistan in to bat first.

This decision reaped rewards, as the USA were able to pick up three wickets inside the powerplay. Mohammad Rizwan fell in the second over, caught for just nine runs from eight balls. Usman Khan followed soon after, while Fakhar Zaman wasn’t far behind.

With Pakistan’s dangerous top order muzzled, the USA continued to do an excellent job of restricting runs from the middle order.

Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, two of Pakistan’s most experienced operators, were able to put on a 72-run partnership. However, the run rate never got away from the Americans, and when they followed up Khan’s wicket with another two balls later, the pressure was right back on the men in green.

Nosthush Kenjige was particularly strong with the ball, taking three wickets and only leaking 30 runs from his four overs.

USA clinical in chase

Needing 160 to win after Pakistan posted 159/7 from their 20 overs, the USA started well.

Steven Taylor and Monak Patel combined for 36 runs from the first five overs. Taylor fell for 12, but captain Patel would kick on an get an impressive half-century from just 38 balls.

Andries Gous and Aaron Jones were strong in the middle order too, both contributing more than 35 runs at healthy strike rates.

These partnerships looked to be enough, taking the USA through to 11 required off the final over. Tight bowling from Shaheen Shah Afridi swung the contest in Pakistan’s favour late, however, with just three runs leaked from the first four balls of the final over.

The USA managed to get Pakistan’s strike bowler away for a maximum on the penultimate ball, though, before grabbing a single to tie up the match.

USA defy the odds in Super Over

With the scores locked at 159 apiece after 40 overs of action, a Super Over was called.

Live cricket betting odds were all heavily in Pakistan’s favour at this stage, given the nation’s vastly superior experience under pressure.

However, it was the USA who stepped up to the plate when it mattered most.

Mohammad Amir was given the responsibility of bowling the deciding over for Pakistan. The pacer failed miserably, conceding a whopping seven wides as the USA accrued 18 runs.

In response, Pakistan lost an early wicket and never got going. They managed one decent four but ultimately spluttered through to just 11 runs, handing the USA a five-run win.

Not only is the USA’s victory brilliant for the tournament — which is part-hosted by the United States — but it also gives extra significance to the India vs Pakistan match on Monday morning in Long Island, New York.

With their tournament on the line, Pakistan enter as +200 outsiders to beat their fiercest rivals, who are -250 favourites with online bookmakers.

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