The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed a seismic upset as the United States of America (USA) stunned former World champions Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over tie at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Thursday.
The hosts held their nerves to level Pakistan’s score of 159 in the 20-over match before left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar emerged as the hero in the one-over shootout, securing USA’s second straight win in the tournament.
Babar Azam’s Controversial Move
In the nail-biting Super Over, Pakistan captain Babar Azam made a tactical decision that raised eyebrows. Facing a target of 19 runs, Pakistan sent in batters Iftikhar Ahmed and Fakhar Zaman.
However, the latter’s absence from the strike caught the attention of former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh.
Yuvraj took to social media to express his displeasure, questioning why Fakhar didn’t face the left-arm seamer, Saurabh Netravalkar. Yuvraj argued that allowing Fakhar to take on Netravalkar could have denied the pacer the advantage of creating angles against a left-handed batter, potentially giving Pakistan the edge.
Yuvraj Singh wrote on his Twitter account for all of his millions of followers,
“I don’t understand why dint
@FakharZamanLive take strike to a lefty seamer – when it is easier for a left-hander to hit through the angle that bowler is tryin to create. Nonetheless have to give it #TeamUSA
@usacricket for making smart decisions under pressure, especially the captain, Monark Patel. Now, Pakistan needs a must-win against India & they surely need to bat & field better! With India’s strong start, it’s gonna be hard to beat us !”
Yuvraj’s Alarm Bells for Pakistan
Yuvraj Singh, also an ambassador for the T20 World Cup, sounded the alarm bells for Pakistan ahead of their blockbuster clash against arch-rivals India. He emphasized that Pakistan needs to bat and field better to secure a must-win victory against India. With the USA already looking strong after their win against Canada, Pakistan faces a crucial challenge in their next match.
The stage is set for an intense battle as India and Pakistan lock horns in New York. Will Babar Azam rethink his strategy, and can Pakistan bounce back?
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