07 June 2024 Punjab Khabarnama : Pakistan’s humbling Super Over defeat to the United States in their T20 World Cup 2024 opener has stirred up social media with former cricketers slamming Babar Azam and Co. after one of the biggest upsets in the tournament.
The United States, featuring in their maiden T20 World Cup, have now managed to top Group A with successive wins, having beaten neighbours Canada in the tournament opener on June 2.
On Thursday, Monank Patel’s side chose to bowl and restricted Pakistan to 159 for seven before matching the score in the chase after Pakistan’s wavering performance with the ball. A sloppy Super Over from Mohammed Amir handed US 18 runs but left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar held his nerve and pulled his side over the line.
The tie was the fifth in the history of the tournament, with Pakistan featuring in their second since the 2007 edition where they lost to India in the bowl-out. Former cricketers including Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Jaffer and Michael Vaughan offered varying reactions to the outcome.
While the tournament has had a lackslustre start in the United States with the pitches in New York coming under scrutiny, Vaughan and former India batter Mohammed Kaif reckoned USA’s win may have flipped the scales.
Pakistan meet India in New York next on Sunday while United States will have a four-day break before meeting India at the same venue.
