ICC T20 World Cup: USA beat Pakistan in thrilling Super Over

TEXAS: The USA has caused a huge shock in the T20 World Cup by defeating former champions Pakistan in a thrilling super over in Texas. Needing 19 runs off 6 balls in the Super Over, Pakistan managed to score only 13 runs. The three wides bowled by Pakistan's Mohammad Amir in the Super Over turned decisive in the outcome of the match. The match moved to the Super Over as both sides scored 159 runs in their 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 160 runs, USA had a solid start, thanks to the 36-run partnership of the opening pair of Steven Taylor (12 runs from 16 balls, 1 four) and Monank Patel (50 runs from 38 balls). After losing the wicket of Taylor, US skipper Monank and Andries Gous (35 runs from 26 balls, 5 fours and 1 six) played a 68-run partnership and helped the hosts to get an upper hand in the match. The solid partnership was broken after Haris Rauf picked an important wicket to remove Gous from the crease in the 14th over. After the second wicket, the US struggled to put runs on the scoreboard. The US lost momentum during the run chase after Mohammad Amir removed the dangerous Monank Patel in the 15th over. After losing three wickets, Aaron Jones (36* runs 26 balls, 2 fours and 2 sixes) and Nitish Kumar (14 runs from 14 balls, 1 four) took control of the match. In the final over of the game USA needed 15 runs to win the match and Pakistan's Haris Rauf came to bowl. The game turned into an intense one, as in the third last ball Jones slammed a six to reduce target. In the final over of the match, Nitish Kumar slammed a four over the mid-off and took the match into the super over as the Men in Green players failed to keep their nerves calm.

Pakistan were sloppy with the ball as they failed to scalp early wickets and win the match. Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf were the only wicket-takers in the second inning.

The super over started with the US batting first. Jones and Harmeet came on the crease and Amir stepped up for Pakistan with the ball. In the first ball, Jones welcomed Amir after slamming a four over the off-side. Amir did not have a fruitful start of the super over as he gave three extras and helped the US to add runs. Pakistan were sluggish with the fielding as well. The US gave a target of 19 runs in the super over.

Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed came on the crease for Pakistan to chase down the target. Saurabh Netravalkar started the attack on the other hand to defend the target. In the second ball, Ifthikhar slammed a four after he placed the ball into the gap at the deep mid-wicket. In the fourth ball, Ifthikhar was dismissed by Netravalkar after the batter went for a six but due to lack of power, the ball landed on Milind Kumar's palm. Shadab Khan came on the crease to replace him. In the final ball of the super over, Pakistan needed 7 runs from one ball. But the US proved why they dominated the game from the beginning as the hosts won the match by six runs in the super over.