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 American fairytale continues 🇺🇸😍
USA beat Pakistan in one of the biggest results in #T20WorldCup history and are ready to take on India next.
Get your tickets now ➡️ https://t.co/FokQ0Cegga pic.twitter.com/ydqEQ3Onbx
— ICC (@ICC) June 6, 2024
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.
“Disappointing loss for Pakistan. We are not off to a good start. Losing to the USA, we repeated history, like we did against Bangladesh in the 1999 World Cup.
Hurt & disappointed. #pakvsusa pic.twitter.com/PfQkk6qQ09
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 6, 2024
“Unfortunately, Pakistan never deserves to win. The reason why USA ne bahut acha khela hai. Commanding position mein the hamesha. Amir saved the match, Shaheen, Amir sabne kosish ki. 37 over vo (USA) jeete hai humse, agar dekha jaaye pura match. 37 overs vo jeete hai but unfortunately we couldn’t pull off (USA played well and was in commanding position always. Amir and Shaheen tried hard but USA was ahead for 37 overs or even the complete match),” said Akhtar reacting to the loss.
Taking to social media in his inimitable sarcastic style, former India opener Wasim Jaffer wrote: “I thought it was Pakistan v USA but it ended up being Panicstan v USA.”
I thought it was Pakistan v USA but it ended up being Panicstan v USA. #PakvsUSA #T20worldcup
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 6, 2024
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.
This could bring this T20 World Cup to life. Who would have thought USA would beat Pakistan. But better team win no doubt. #T20WorldCup
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 6, 2024
Celebrate in the Sardar Patel Institute of Technology in Mumbai. One of your alums has bowled a tremendous super over against Pakistan.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 6, 2024
Just came off a flight from Miami. What happened in Dallas today😳😳😳😱😱
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 6, 2024
Aik aur American saazish kaamyab! #PAKvsUSA
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) June 6, 2024