USA stun Pakistan in T20 World Cup after win in Super Over

United States of America (USA) pulled off a shocking win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup Group A match at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas after duel the encounter in the Super Over.

Left-arm pace bowler Mohammad Amir bowled a poor Super Over for Pakistan after the teams were tied at 159 runs at the end of the match. The 32-year-old Amir conceded seven extras -- three wide deliveries resulting in those runs – as USA notched 18 runs in the Super Over.

The task was tough for Pakistan and they were restricted to 13/1 against USA left-armer Saurabh Netravalkar, who had impressed early picking 2/18 in four overs.

It was Amir who had played a key role earlier in bringing Pakistan back into the game after the Americans looked set to cruise to the 160-run target set by Pakistan.

He conceded just 10 runs in his last two overs, including four in the penultimate over to help restrict the scoring of USA, who at one point needed just 49 runs in 36 balls with eight wickets in hand.

Pakistan started their batting poorly as they were reduced to 26/3 in the fifth over.

They moved to 30/3 at the end of powerplay phase. A 72-run partnership ensued between Shadab Khan (40) and Babar Azam (44) for the fourth wicket and that brought them back on track. However, a flurry of wickets hurt them before Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 23 not out and Iftikhar Ahmed’s 18 took the team to 159/7 in 20 overs.  

Against an indisciplined Pakistan bowling, USA started well getting to 44/1 in the first six overs of powerplay.

It took Pakistan seven overs after powerplay to get their second wicket and by then, USA had already moved to 104.

Skipper Monank Patel (50 off 38) had added 68 for the second wicket with Andries Gous (35 off 26 balls) to keep the Americans on track.

Despite Pakistan pace bowlers bowling exceptionally well towards the end, Aaron Jones (36 not out off 26 balls) continued from where he left against Canada earlier to take the home side to Pakistan total.

USA had earlier beaten Canada and now lead Group A with four points.

Cricket, ICC Men's T20 World Cup, USA, Pakistan national cricket team, United States of America