USA vs PAK | Monank's fifty, coupled with Kenjige's three-fer led USA to a thrilling super-over victory over Pakistan

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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In an upset at the Grand Prairie Stadium, the USA beat Pakistan in a super-over thriller. The home team dazzled with their bowling prowess, led by Nosthush Kenjige's stellar three-fer while the chase was anchored by Monank Patel's sublime half-century off just 34 deliveries leading to a super over.

‌Monank Patel's tactical decision to bowl first paid dividends for the USA, as they swiftly broke through Pakistan's opening partnership. Saurabh Netravalkar struck early, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan in just the second over. The woes deepened for Pakistan as they lost Usman Khan and Fakhar Zaman within the powerplay. However, Babar Azam and Shadab Khan provided much-needed stability to the Pakistani innings, steering them to 93/3 in 12 overs with a resilient partnership of 72 runs. Just as Pakistan seemed to be regaining control, Nosthush Kenjige dealt a double blow to their middle order, removing Shadab and Azam Khan in successive deliveries in the 13th over, leaving the scorecard reeling at 98/5. Nevertheless, skipper Babar Azam continued to anchor the innings, notching up 44 runs off 43 deliveries before falling in the 16th over with the score at 125/6. Shaheen Shah Afridi's brisk 23-ball 16 towards the end provided some valuable runs, helping Pakistan reach a total of 159/7 by the end of their allotted 20 overs.

The United States openers Monank Patel and Steven Taylor got off to a cracking start, taking the score to 36/0 in five overs. However, Taylor’s stay was cut short as Naseem Shah dismissed him in the sixth over. Monank, alongside Andries Gous, then built a steady 40-run partnership, bringing the score to 76/1 in 10 overs. The duo gradually paved the way for a potential upset against Pakistan, with Monank scoring a splendid 34-ball fifty. The 68-run stand between Monank and Gous was broken by Haris Rauf in the 14th over when Gous was bowled by a well-directed good-length ball. With 49 runs needed from the last six overs, all eyes were on the USA skipper Monank and Aaron Jones to finish the job. However, in a much-needed breakthrough for Pakistan, Mohammad Amir dismissed Monank, shifting the momentum towards the visitors. The equation boiled down to 28 runs off the last three overs, with Jones and Nitish Kumar at the crease. The duo kept their composure, narrowing the requirement to 15 runs off the final over. In a thrilling finish, a packed Dallas crowd was on the edge of their seats as Jones and Kumar scored 14 runs off the last over, tying the match and leading to a super over.

Babar Azam entrusted the crucial super over to Mohammad Amir, but the USA's Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh capitalized on Amir’s lacklustre bowling and Pakistan's sloppy fielding, racking up 18/1. In response, Pakistan faced a tough challenge with Iftikhar’s dismissal. Furthermore, Netravalkar bowled a brilliant last over, limiting Pakistan to 13/1. The USA emerged victorious in the super-over, clinching the contest in a thrilling finish.

 What a bowling!

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