Pakistan Dominate USA by 32 Runs to Go Top of Group A in T20 World Cup
Pakistan got their revenge for the loss in Dallas 2024 by beating the USA comfortably by 32 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club. This time, the match was completely one-sided, unlike the thrilling super over finish last year. With two wins from two matches, Pakistan move to the top of Group A. The USA, meanwhile, are almost out of the tournament unless something very unexpected happens.
Earlier in the evening, the USA won the toss and decided to bowl first. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan provided Pakistan a flying start, adding 54 for the first wicket, before Shadley van Schalkwyk got rid of the former for 19 off 17 balls and Salman Ali Agha for just 1 in the final over of the powerplay. Farhan (73 off 41) went berserk, hitting 6 fours and 5 sixes and added a whirlwind partnership of 81 runs for the third-wicket along with Babar Azam, who started slowly but once he took Harmeet Singh to the cleaners in the 13th over, the Pakistani stalwart got some momentum to his knock, scoring 46 off 32 balls.
Pakistan dominate USA by 32 runs, go top of Group A
Shadab Khan came in and teed off with a cracking cameo, hitting 30 off just 12 balls. A late collapse didn't halt the momentum a bit, but Pakistan still managed to post 190/9. Shadley van Schalkwyk impressed everyone yet again. He picked up 4/25 against India, and tonight as well, he finished with 4/25. Saurabh Netravalkar, Mohammad Mohsin, and Harmeet scalped a wicket each, while Ehsan Adil and Milind Kumar were expensive.
Andries Gous and Shayan Jahangir gave the USA a good start, but once Mohammad Nawaz took care of the former for 13, breaking the 42-run opening stand in the 5th over, they stumbled in the run chase with Pakistan using five spinners to curb the run flow. Jahangir looked impressive for his 34-ball 49. Milind Kumar got a start and scored 29 off 22 balls. Shubham Ranjane slammed a fifty, smashing 51 off 30 balls. These three batters kept fighting for the USA. Ranjane even hit Shaheen Shah Afridi for a few in the 18th over, but it was always a mountain to climb for the USA. Eventually, they lost their way and ended up at only 158/8.
Usman Tariq picked up late wickets and picked up 3/27 on his WC debut. Shadab Khan was excellent in the middle overs and wrapped up with 2/26. A wicket each for Abrar Ahmed, Nawaz and Shaheen. The lone seamer got hit for a few, but he had plenty in the bank to defend. Next up for Pakistan is the big fixture against India, while for the USA, it is a do-or-die game against the Netherlands.
