Cricket, a sport often overshadowed by baseball and basketball in the United States, took center stage on June 6, 2024, when the United States National Cricket Team pulled off one of the most stunning upsets in cricket history. Facing off against the formidable Pakistan National Cricket Team in the 11th match of Group A at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the USA team defied all odds to secure a victory in a thrilling Super Over. This match, played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas, wasn’t just a game—it was a moment that put American cricket on the global map. Let’s dive into the details of this unforgettable clash, breaking down the United States National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, key moments, and what it all meant for both teams.

The Build-Up: A David vs Goliath Story

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the United States National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, let’s set the scene. Pakistan, a cricketing powerhouse with a rich history, entered the 2024 T20 World Cup with high expectations despite some inconsistent form. They had won the T20 World Cup in 2009 and reached the final in 2022, making them a team to watch. Led by captain Babar Azam, one of the world’s top batsmen, Pakistan was expected to dominate their group, which included the USA, Canada, Ireland, and India.

On the other hand, the USA team was the underdog. Cricket in the United States is still a developing sport, with the national team only earning T20 International status in 2019. However, the USA squad, coached by former Australian batter Stuart Law, was riding a wave of confidence. They had recently beaten Bangladesh in a T20I series and started the World Cup with a strong win over Canada. Still, taking on Pakistan—a team with a legacy of world-class players like Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Amir—was a daunting challenge.

The stage was set for a classic David vs. Goliath battle, and the Grand Prairie Stadium was buzzing with excitement. Pakistan fans filled the stands, but the American supporters, though fewer in number, were ready to cheer their team on in this historic debut at the T20 World Cup.

The Match: A Rollercoaster of Emotions

Pakistan’s Innings: A Rocky Start, Steady Recovery

The USA won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that captain Monank Patel later said was based on the team’s confidence in chasing on the Dallas pitch. The American bowlers came out swinging, and boy, did they make an impact early on.

Pakistan’s batting lineup, usually a strength, stumbled out of the gate. Within the first five overs, they were reeling at 26 for 3. Saurabh Netravalkar, a left-arm seamer who once played for India’s Under-19 team, struck early, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for 9 runs. Nosthush Kenjige, a crafty left-arm spinner, then removed Usman Khan (3) and Fakhar Zaman (11), leaving Pakistan in trouble.

But Pakistan wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Captain Babar Azam anchored the innings with a gritty 44 off 43 balls, including three fours and two sixes. Shadab Khan played a more aggressive role, smashing 40 off 25 balls with a four and three sixes. Their partnership steadied the ship, but just as it looked like Pakistan was gaining momentum, Kenjige struck again, dismissing Shadab and Azam Khan (0) in quick succession.

The lower order, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi’s unbeaten 23 off 16 balls, pushed Pakistan to a total of 159 for 7 in their 20 overs. For the USA, Kenjige was the star with 3 wickets for 30 runs, while Netravalkar’s 2 for 18 earned him praise as the tournament’s standout Associate bowler.

USA’s Innings: A Chase for the Ages

Chasing 160 runs, the USA needed a solid start, and their openers, Monank Patel and Steven Taylor, provided just that. Though cautious at first, they kept the scoreboard ticking. Taylor fell early, but Andries Gous joined Patel, and the two forged a crucial 68-run partnership. Patel, the USA captain, played a captain’s knock, scoring a composed 50 off 38 balls, while Gous contributed 35 off 26.

Pakistan’s bowlers, including Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir, struggled to find their rhythm early on. However, Haris Rauf and Amir tightened things up in the middle overs, dismissing Patel and Gous to bring Pakistan back into the game. With 56 runs needed off the last 45 balls and eight wickets in hand, the USA seemed in control, but Pakistan’s pacers turned up the heat.

The final overs were pure drama. With 21 runs needed off the last two overs, Aaron Jones stepped up for the USA. Facing Haris Rauf in the final over, Jones smashed a six off a full toss when 12 runs were needed off three balls. With five runs required off the last ball, Nitish Kumar squeezed a boundary over mid-off, tying the scores at 159 for 3. The match was headed to a Super Over—a rare and thrilling tiebreaker in cricket.

The Super Over: USA’s Moment of Glory

In the Super Over, the USA batted first, with Aaron Jones and Harmeet Singh at the crease. Pakistan entrusted Mohammad Amir with the ball, but it was a decision that backfired. Amir, usually a reliable bowler, struggled with his accuracy, bowling three wides. The USA capitalized, scrambling 18 runs for the loss of one wicket, thanks to Jones’s boundary and some sloppy fielding by Pakistan.

Pakistan needed 19 runs to win, and Saurabh Netravalkar was tasked with defending them. Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman came out to bat, but Netravalkar held his nerve. A brilliant catch by Nitish Kumar at long-off dismissed Iftikhar, and with 14 runs needed off three balls, the pressure was too much. Shadab Khan could only manage a single off the final ball, and the USA won by five runs, sparking wild celebrations among players and fans alike.

The United States National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: Breaking It Down

Here’s the detailed scorecard for the match, laid out clearly for everyone to understand:

United States National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard T20 World Cup 2024

Match Details

Date: June 6, 2024
Venue: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Texas
Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, 11th Match, Group A
Result: USA won by 5 runs in the Super Over
Player of the Match: Monank Patel (USA)

Pakistan Innings (20 Overs)

Batsman	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)	c Taylor b Netravalkar	9	8	0	1	112.50
Babar Azam (c)	lbw b Jessy Singh	44	43	3	2	102.33
Usman Khan	c Kumar b Kenjige	3	3	0	0	100.00
Fakhar Zaman	c Taylor b Ali Khan	11	7	0	1	157.14
Shadab Khan	c Netravalkar b Kenjige	40	25	1	3	160.00
Azam Khan	lbw b Kenjige	0	1	0	0	0.00
Iftikhar Ahmed	lbw b Netravalkar	18	14	3	0	128.57
Shaheen Shah Afridi	not out	23	16	1	2	143.75
Haris Rauf	not out	3	3	0	0	100.00
Extras	(lb 4, w 4)	8
Total	(7 wickets, 20 overs)	159

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Saurabh Netravalkar	4	18	2	4.50
Ali Khan	4	21	1	5.25
Nosthush Kenjige	4	30	3	7.50
Jasdeep Singh	4	37	1	9.25
Shadley van Schalkwyk	3	34	0	11.33
Corey Anderson	1	15	0	15.00

USA Innings (20 Overs)

Batsman	Dismissal	Runs	Balls	4s	6s	Strike Rate
Steven Taylor	c Mohammad Rizwan b Naseem Shah	12	16	1	0	75.00
Monank Patel (c & wk)	c Mohammad Rizwan b Haris Rauf	50	38	7	1	131.58
Andries Gous	c Babar Azam b Haris Rauf	35	26	5	1	134.62
Aaron Jones	not out	36	26	2	2	138.46
Nitish Kumar	not out	14	14	2	0	100.00
Extras	(lb 2, w 10)	12
Total	(3 wickets, 20 overs)	159

Bowling

Bowler	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Economy
Shaheen Shah Afridi	4	33	0	8.25
Mohammad Amir	4	25	0	6.25
Naseem Shah	4	26	1	6.50
Haris Rauf	4	37	2	9.25
Shadab Khan	3	27	0	9.00
Iftikhar Ahmed	1	9	0	9.00

Super Over

USA Batting

Total: 18 for 1
Batsmen: Aaron Jones, Harmeet Singh
Bowler: Mohammad Amir
Key Moments: Jones hit a boundary; Amir bowled three wides, and Pakistan’s fielding errors allowed extra runs.

Pakistan Batting

Total: 13 for 1
Batsmen: Iftikhar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan
Bowler: Saurabh Netravalkar
Key Moments: Nitish Kumar’s brilliant catch dismissed Iftikhar; Pakistan fell short by 5 runs.

Key Performers: Heroes of the Day

For the USA, Monank Patel was the standout, earning Player of the Match for his 50 and leadership. Saurabh Netravalkar’s composure in the Super Over and economical bowling (2 for 18) were game-changers. Nosthush Kenjige’s three wickets kept Pakistan in check, while Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar’s late heroics sealed the deal.

For Pakistan, Babar Azam and Shadab Khan fought hard with the bat, but their bowling unit, particularly in the Super Over, let them down. Mohammad Amir’s wides in the Super Over proved costly, and Pakistan’s fielding was uncharacteristically sloppy.

What It Meant for United States National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Both Teams

For the USA, this victory was monumental. It wasn’t just a win—it was a statement that American cricket had arrived. The upset earned them widespread media attention and a spot in the Super 8s, as well as automatic qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup. As Monank Patel said, “Beating Pakistan is going to open many doors for us.” The win sparked optimism about cricket’s growth in the USA, a country where the sport is still finding its footing.

For Pakistan, the loss was a wake-up call. Already struggling with form, they faced criticism for their lackluster performance. Babar Azam admitted they didn’t capitalize in the first six overs of either innings, and their fielding errors were a major letdown. With a crucial match against India looming, Pakistan needed to regroup quickly to avoid an early exit.

Why This Match Matters

This match wasn’t just about runs and wickets—it was about heart, grit, and the spirit of cricket. For fans new to the sport, it showed how exciting and unpredictable T20 cricket can be. For Americans, it was a chance to rally behind a team that proved they belong on the world stage. And for the global cricket community, it was a reminder that underdogs can roar.

The USA vs. Pakistan match will go down as one of the greatest upsets in T20 World Cup history. It’s a story of belief, teamwork, and a little bit of magic from players like Saurabh Netravalkar and Monank Patel. Whether you’re a lifelong cricket fan or someone just learning the game, this match was a perfect example of why cricket captures hearts worldwide.

Final Thoughts

As the sun set over Grand Prairie Stadium, the USA team celebrated a victory that will be remembered for years to come. For young fans dreaming of playing cricket, for older fans discovering the sport, and for everyone in between, this match was a beacon of hope for cricket’s future in America. The scorecard tells the story of a tied game, a Super Over, and a historic win—but the real story is the passion and pride that made it all possible.

The Build-Up: A David vs Goliath Story

The Match: A Rollercoaster of Emotions