Pakistan captain reacts to USA’s shocking defeat in T20 World Cup super-blow

The United States produced one of the biggest shocks in T20 World Cup history to surprise Pakistan after a competitive and entertaining group match in Texas ended in a tense super finish.

The co-hosts, who beat Canada to start the tournament, restricted Pakistan to 159-7 as Nosthush Kenjige took 3-30 and Saurabh Netravalkar bowled four tight overs, picking up two wickets.

Pakistan were 26-3 towards the end of the powerplay but got a defensible score thanks to Shadab Khan’s 40 and captain Babar Azam’s more conservative 44 off 43.

USA were on their way to victory as Monank Patel (50) and Andries Gous (35) took their team to 104-2 after 12 overs.

But both fell in quick succession as Pakistan fought back and in the end the USA needed a late effort from Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar to force a super over, with the hosts hitting Mohammad Amir for a six and a four in the last three balls to tie.

Despite a costly final over, Amir was given the responsibility of bowling the super over but conceded 18, including seven wides as the USA raced to set a huge target despite scoring just 11 from the start.

From then on, Pakistan were always up against him and lost by five runs as Netravalkar kept his cool to give USA a famous victory.

Babar, clearly frustrated, said: “We didn’t capitalize with the bat and they gained a lot of momentum. We lost back-to-back wickets in the middle overs. As a batting unit you have to step up, you have to create partnerships and we didn’t do that.

“We were not up to it in the first six overs with the ball as usual, not taking any wickets again. And then our spinners are also not taking wickets in the middle. But it’s the start of the tournament, we’ll come back to that.

“Yes, the task ahead of us is difficult. But it’s thanks to the United States, they performed so well today. They were better than us in every aspect of the game.

“The terrain was a little difficult at the start, a little two-paced but that’s no excuse. We are professional cricketers. I also didn’t capitalize in the first six overs.

US captain Patel, meanwhile, said: “It’s a huge achievement. To beat Pakistan, we are facing them for the first time, I am so proud of the way we played.

“It was a true team effort from the first ball to the last. Winning the toss we knew we had to make sure we used the conditions and thank our bowlers for that.

“We knew 160 was passable on this terrain. I am satisfied with my innings, happy to contribute but above all happy to win as a team. We knew a top three partnership would set us up, we wanted to go as far as possible.

“Andries Gous took all the pressure off me with the way he played. As a player you want to be there for the big occasions and I am delighted to contribute to a winning cause.

With two wins out of two, the United States – who co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup with the West Indies – are in a superb position to qualify for the Super 8s.

They will look to produce another massive shock when they take on India on Wednesday, while Pakistan will also meet their arch rivals, with New York’s Nassau Cricket Stadium hosting the crucial match on Sunday.

England, the reigning champions, saw their opening match of the tournament abandoned, but their Scottish opponent had put themselves in a strong position before the rain arrived.

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