USA 159 for 3 (Monank 50, Jones 36*, Gous 35) beat Pakistan 159 for 7 (Babar 44, Shadab 40, Kenjige 3-30, Netravalkar 2-18) by way of Tremendous Over
USA muzzled an skilled Pakistan high order, introduced their hitters to heel, then produced a measured batting efficiency that tied the scores at 159-all.
This compelled the sport right into a Tremendous Over, and right here is when USA actually appeared just like the veteran group on the circuit whereas Pakistan went into high-pressure-meltdown mode.
Mohammad Amir, Pakistan’s most skilled bowler, bowled three wides in his Tremendous Over, the US batters stealing one other run each time, and Mohammad Rizwan conceded one other additional run on an overthrow off the final of those wides.
Due to the extras and different acts of fielding indiscipline from Pakistan, USA made 18 off their Tremendous Over
Due to 4 leg byes off the penultimate supply, Shadab Khan had the chance to ship the match right into a second tremendous over if he clobbered a six off the final ball. He might solely hit it to deep level, all alongside the bottom.
The USA have been jubilant, having taken down the most important opposition that they had ever confronted. Pakistan, forward of their huge match towards India, had been subjected to one in all their best World Cup setbacks. It is not as if Pakistan had had it of their grip and let it slip – USA had truly been answerable for this match for a lot of its length.
Left-arm seamer Netravalkar had Rizwan caught at slip – pretty spectacularly by Steven Taylor – to start with, second over. Then, within the third, left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige had Usman Khan holing out to long-off, bringing Pakistan’s rating to 14 for two.
Others would take wickets in between, in fact, however these two would proceed to impose themselves.
Pakistan made solely 35 within the powerplay, and Netravalkar bowled three overs for simply eight runs in that section. Kenjige got here again within the center overs and made essential incisions, dismissing Shadab Khan, who regarded essentially the most fluent of Pakistan’s batters, for 40 off 25 balls, earlier than getting Azam Khan first ball with a quick slider. All up, these two took 5 for 48 in eight overs between them.
Netravalkar bowling the Tremendous Over, and conceding only one 4, was a bonus.
USA measured of their method
Though this is able to change into USA’s first main act of giant-killing on the worldwide stage, their measured batting efficiency gave no sense of being a bolt from the blue. Their openers weren’t parted for 5 overs, however they solely made 36 collectively.
Monank offered many of the highlights on this partnership, making 50 off 38, hitting seven fours and one wonderful six down the bottom to get to his half-century, off Shaheen Shah Afridi. He was out quickly after, however had left USA in a probably profitable place.
Pakistan pull issues again on the demise
Even with Monank and Gous out with 35 balls to go, Pakistan nonetheless needed to bowl properly, with USA solely needing 49. Naseem Shah, Shaheen and Amir shone via the demise overs to depart USA needing 15 off the final over. Haris Rauf, touchdown his yorkers there or thereabouts, introduced the equation all the way down to 12 off 3.
However then, Jones smashed a six off a low full-toss on the stumps, then with 5 required off the final ball, Nitish Kumar crashed a 4 over mid-off to tie the recreation.
Tremendous over mayhem
It was at this level, although, that the extra skilled worldwide group misplaced their heads, and USA saved theirs. Each groups hit a 4 every of their Tremendous Overs. However Pakistan’s waywardness when it comes to wides and overthrows value them. USA received the Tremendous Over 18 to 13.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is a senior author at ESPNcricinfo. @afidelf