Put some some respect on USA's name

You can complain about the pitches in the USA but you can't complain about the the quality of this USA team, what an incredible start they are having as co-host of the T20 CWC 2024.  We saw a brilliant opening game between the USA and Canada a high scoring game in fact full of entertainment.  The co host then had the daunting task of facing former champs Pakistan, on paper this was going to be a very difficult game for the American outfit.  

USA chose to bold, the first two balls were dot balls then on the third delivery Rizwan in great fashion provided the first six of the game, so far so good for Pakistan.  Netravalkar was put into the bowling attack and it was a timely decision taking the wicket of Rizwan on the second ball of the second over.  A big scalp taken and the USA crowd sent into a frenzy and Pakistan fans left in shock.

Another wicket falls Pakistan are 21 for 2,  the word upset entered the chat and seemed very possible, but this was the mighty Pakistan against the associate team USA there was no way Pakistan was going to lose this game.  Pakistan were struggling to keep a partnership and eventually were 26 for 3.

Pakistan eventually got to 159 for 7, a score that USA would have been happy with and would have felt very comfortable chasing that score given their great showing in the opening match vs Canada.  Pakistan knew their batting was poor but must have felt they had enough fire power in their bowling attack to defend 159.

USA had a pretty good start after five overs they were 36 for no loss, the breakthrough came for Pakistan when Naseem Shah took the wicket of Taylor.  It appeared that maybe Pakistan would get back into the game but USA showed their skill with the bat reaching 104 for 1 looking on course to upset Pakistan.

The co hosts needed 56 off 42 when the second wicket fell. They kept plugging away and eventually in the most exciting fashion were five runs away from victory with one ball remaining.  Kumar lofted the last ball over mid off and forced a super over the second one of the tournament.  Jones and Harmeet were sent to open for USA and Amir was sent to restrict them.  USA scored 18 for 1, it seemed a decent score for Pakistan to chase.

Netravalkar was chosen as the hero elect to restrict Pakistan and possibly provide USA a second victory.  Iftikhar and Fakhar were the chosen pair to bring it home.  After a wide delivery Iftikhar was caught at long-off.  At this stage I knew USA was about to upset Pakistan and it became even more obvious when they required seven runs off the last, they managed one run off the last ball and victory went to USA.

USA was the associate team, the minnow but they looked the team with great pedigree and cricketing history it was a great performance with both bat and ball, they have now secured four points, and Pakistan are already in a precarious position facing India next and defeat can hamper Pakistan's chances of making it to the super 8.  This tournament has been very entertaining so far and the associate teams are definitely here to compete and contest.