Following Pakistan’s shocking defeat to the USA in their first match of T20 World Cup Shoaib Akhtar, a former pacer of Pakistan, expressed his frustrations. Like when Pakistan was defeated by Bangladesh unexpectedly in 1999 world cup, so this match has left fans and former players shocked.
Akhtar posted a video on his social media handle stating: “It was a disappointing loss for Pakistan. We are not off to a good start losing to USA”.
“Actually, it is unfortunate that pakistan did not deserve to win because USA played really well they were always on top.Amir (Mohammad) saved the day Shaheen(Afridi) and amir tried but for 37 overs America was beating us and we could not do it unfortunately.”
Both sides scored 159 runs in their respective twenty overs Group A encounter. In the ensuing Super Over, veteran Pakistani bowler Mohammad Amir conceded only 18 runs while batting first for the USA.
The over marred by wides and overthrows which contributed towards a challenging total for USA team.
Playing as per assigned duty Indian-born paceman Saurabh Netravalkar then delivered an economical Super Over restricting Pakistan (2009 winners, 2022 runners-up) with just mere 13-1.
Netravalkar’s remarkable figures of 2-18 earlier in the game had put brakes on any hopes that Pakistani batsmen had built within them thereby containing them at 157/7 after twenty overs.
Co-hosts who seemed set for an easy victory faltered late into their innings.
They needed 12 runs from final three balls with Aaron Jones and Nitish Kumar taking them home as heroes.
Jones hit Haris Rauf for six then Nitish scored four off the last ball which was full toss leading to equaling of scores forcing super over.
