DALLAS — Pakistan secured a crucial 32-run victory over the United States in their second Group A fixture of the T20 World Cup 2024, a win that serves as a vital tune-up ahead of the marquee clash against arch-rivals India this Sunday. The result at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Thursday was a much-needed confidence booster for the 2009 champions, who had suffered a stunning Super Over defeat to the same American side in their tournament opener.
After being asked to bat first on a tricky surface, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 159 for 7, propelled by a captain's knock from Babar Azam. The skipper anchored the innings with a composed 44 off 43 balls, while useful contributions came from Shadab Khan (40 off 25) and Shaheen Afridi, whose late cameo of 23* off 16 provided the final push. For the USA, Nosthush Kenjige was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 30.
The American chase never truly gained momentum against a disciplined and fired-up Pakistani bowling attack. Shaheen Afridi set the tone with a wicket in the very first over, and despite a fighting 31 from Andries Gous, the co-hosts were restricted to 127 for 7. The win not only keeps Pakistan's slim hopes of Super Eight qualification alive but, more importantly, provides a blueprint for the high-pressure encounter against India in New York.
A Batting Recovery Built on Grit
The early stages of Pakistan's innings were fraught with familiar anxiety. Mohammad Rizwan fell cheaply, and the scoring rate crawled along at under six runs per over in the Powerplay. Fakhar Zaman's brief, aggressive stay ended on 11, and when Usman Khan departed for 3, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 59 for 3 in the 10th over. The innings demanded a steady hand, and Babar Azam provided exactly that.
Babar, often criticized for his strike rate in T20s, played a contextually perfect innings. On a two-paced pitch where other batters struggled for timing, he held one end together, allowing the more aggressive players around him to flourish. His partnership of 72 runs with Shadab Khan for the fourth wicket was the turning point. Shadab's innings was a masterclass in counter-punching, his 40 runs coming at a strike rate of 160 and including three sixes.
Reflecting on the partnership and the team's approach, Babar Azam stated in the post-match presentation, "We needed that partnership. The wicket was two-paced, and the ball wasn't coming on. Shadab played a brilliant innings, and then Shaheen's hitting at the end gave us the momentum we needed to defend."
The final flourish came from an unlikely source. Shaheen Afridi, promoted ahead of Iftikhar Ahmed, smashed two sixes in his unbeaten 23, pushing Pakistan to a total that felt 15-20 runs above par. The late assault underscored a key shift in mindset that will be essential against India.
Bowling Unit Fires in Unison
If the batting was a work in progress, the bowling was a statement of intent. Shaheen Afridi, with the new ball, was back to his menacing best, generating swing and pace to dismiss Steven Taylor early. The pressure was relentless from both ends, with Naseem Shah bowling a miserly spell of 1 for 10 from his four overs. The USA's top order, so fearless against Canada and Pakistan in the first game, was suffocated.
The middle overs were expertly controlled by the spin duo of Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan. Their combined eight overs conceded just 49 runs and claimed two wickets, completely halting any potential American fightback. The fielding, a major concern in the first match, was also significantly sharper, with no dropped catches and energetic ground fielding.
The key takeaways from Pakistan's bowling performance, which they will look to replicate against India, include:
- Early Strikes: Shaheen and Naseem creating pressure in the Powerplay.
- Spin Squeeze: Imad and Shadab drying up the runs in the middle phase.
- Death Discipline: Haris Rauf and Naseem executing yorkers and slower balls effectively at the death.
USA captain Monank Patel acknowledged the quality of the attack, saying, "They bowled really well. Their pace attack is world-class, and they didn't give us any freebies. We were always playing catch-up after losing those early wickets."
The Shadow of the India Clash
While the points were crucial, every moment of this match was viewed through the prism of the upcoming India game. The victory allows Pakistan to enter that cauldron with some wind in their sails, having addressed several glaring issues from their opening defeat. The middle-order, through Shadab, showed it could rebuild and accelerate. The bowling attack rediscovered its collective rhythm. Most importantly, the team displayed a fighting spirit that was conspicuously absent just days prior.
However, challenges remain. The top-order consistency is still a question mark, with Babar and Rizwan yet to fire in unison. The finishing, despite Shaheen's heroics, needs more reliability from designated hitters like Iftikhar. The match against India, in front of a packed, partisan crowd at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, will be a test of nerve like no other.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis, commentating on the match, emphasized the psychological lift, "This win was about more than two points. It was about getting that feeling back—the feeling of taking wickets, defending a total, winning as a team. They needed this desperately before facing India."
A Path Forward, But a Steep One
Mathematically, Pakistan's fate is not entirely in their own hands. Their loss to the USA means they likely need to win both their remaining matches—against India and Ireland—and also depend on other results to advance. A loss to India would almost certainly eliminate them from the tournament. This adds an unimaginable layer of pressure to an already high-stakes contest.
For the United States, the defeat is a minor setback in what has been a fairytale campaign. They remain in a strong position in Group A with two wins from three games and will back themselves to secure a Super Eight spot in their final match against Ireland. Their victory over Pakistan will forever be a landmark moment, but this game proved the gulf that still exists when a top-tier side clicks into gear.
Conclusion: Momentum Meets History
Pakistan's 32-run win over the USA was a professional, clinical performance that stopped the bleeding after a shocking start to their World Cup. They fixed their bowling lines, found a batting hero in Shadab Khan, and their captain led from the front. The victory provides a essential shot of confidence and a tactical template.
Yet, as the team travels from Dallas to New York, they know the challenge ahead is of a different magnitude. History, passion, and immense pressure define an India-Pakistan World Cup match. Pakistan have now given themselves a fighting chance, having shaken off the rust and the shock of their opening defeat. The question remains: was this victory a true return to form, or merely a respite before the ultimate test? The cricketing world will find out on Sunday.