In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Pakistan have set a target of 191 runs for the United States.
USA captain Monank Patel’s decision to field first did not pay off, as Pakistan posted a competitive total of 190/9 in their 20 overs.
The Green Shirts started aggressively, with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub putting together a quick 54 runs in the first five overs.
However, Shadley van Schalkwyk sparked a USA revival in the final over of the powerplay, taking two crucial wickets - dismissing left-handed opener Ayub and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha - as Pakistan slipped to 56/2. Ayub scored 19 off 17 balls, hitting two sixes and a four, while Agha managed just one run from three balls.
Following the twin dismissals, star batter Babar Azam joined Farhan in the middle, and the pair stabilized Pakistan’s innings with an 81-run partnership for the third wicket. The partnership ended in the fourth delivery of the 15th over when Mohammad Mohsin dismissed Babar, who had scored a brisk 46 off 32 balls, including four fours and a six.
Pakistan then faced another blow in the very next over as Harmeet Singh sent back Farhan, who had remained the top scorer with a blistering 73 off just 41 deliveries, featuring six fours and five sixes.
Later, Shadab Khan stitched together a quick 34-run partnership with Mohammad Nawaz for the fifth wicket, which came off just 16 balls. Shadab contributed a rapid 30 off 12 deliveries, including four fours and a six, before falling to van Schalkwyk in the penultimate over, who also dismissed Faheem Ashraf for one.
Pakistan has made one change to their playing XI for the match against the USA, with Usman Tariq replacing Salman Mirza.
The Pakistani lineup for the match includes Sahibzada Farhan, Saeem Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Tariq, and Abrar Ahmed.
Pakistan’s captain, Salman Agha, said that the team has been playing good cricket over the past few months and that they will try to maintain their momentum.
