United States captain Monank Patel believes his side’s seismic super-over win against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup could prove the crucial turning point for cricket in the country.
Playing in the tournament for the first time and having beaten Canada in their opening match, the co-hosts were not expected to trouble a team ranked 12 places above them in the world order in Dallas on Thursday.
But the two sides found themselves level in regulation play as the US matched Pakistan’s score of 159 in last-gasp fashion, resulting in a Super Over.
Batting first, the US posted 18 from six balls after a poor over from Pakistan paceman Mohammad Amir, while Pakistan could only muster 13 in response to the bowling of Saurabh Netravalkar.
Following their shock win, which puts his side within touching distance of the knockout stages of the tournament, skipper Patel said: “Beating Pakistan is a big achievement. It’s a big day for Team USA, not just for USA, for the USA cricket community too.
“Beating Pakistan in the World Cup is going to open many doors for us. Hosting the World Cup in the USA and performing here as a team, it helps us to grow cricket in the USA.
“I am so proud of how we played. It was a proper team effort. Winning the toss, we knew we had to make sure we utilised conditions and credit to our bowlers for doing that.”
In response, Pakistan captain Babar Azam said: “I am upset. If you lose a match, you are always upset.
“As a professional, you have to step up against such a performance or such a team in the batting, in the middle order.
“This is not an excuse. I think we played badly. We are not playing well, in fielding, bowling and batting.”
