Following a fantastic over, Pakistan crumbled as the United States prevailed in their thrilling final over T20 World Cup encounter in Dallas on Thursday.
After their super over, the US set a target of 19 runs, but the Green Shirts could only muster 13.
After the host team tied the score on the final ball of the 20th over, the teams advanced to the super over.
Prior to this, the US started carefully against the Green Team because Pakistan was discouraged by the home team’s early lead.
After Steven Taylor was removed by Naseem Shah with the opening ball of his second over, Andries Gous’s next delivery went to the covers for four after his edge failed to reach Iftikhar Ahmed in slips.
The power play concluded at 44 with the loss of one wicket after Gous hit another boundary off Naseem.
Shadab Khan was introduced by Babar Azam as Pakistan continued to hunt for their second wicket, but Gous and Monank Patel kept their side’s scoreboard ticking over easily.
Pakistan was earlier restricted to a total of 159-7 with the co-hosts hoping for an unexpected victory.
In their first Group A match, the US defeated another non-Test nation Canada by chasing a target of 195, but now they faced a much better bowling assault.
Even yet, after winning the toss, the US could be proud of their fielding efforts against Pakistan, as they limited the 2009 T20 World Cup champions to 26-3.
Nosthush Kenjige, the first bowler, claimed 3-30 from his maximum four overs, including two wickets in two balls, while left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar got a meager 2-18.
Before captain Babar (44) and Shadab (40) combined for a partnership of 72, Pakistan was in terrible shape at 26-3 after five overs.
Shadab and Azam Khan were sent out by Kenjige in consecutive balls.
Pakistan, which finished second to England in the previous T20 World Cup in Australia two years prior, was once again struggling at 98-5 until the final man, Shaheen Shah Afridi, scored an undefeated 23 to raise the total.
Prior to Usman Khan’s spectacular one-handed catch off Kenjige, which saw Pakistan down 14-2, Mohammad Rizwan was well taken at slip by Steven Taylor off Netravalkar.
