Pakistan (190/9) exorcise the ghosts of their 2024 heartbreak by defeating USA (158/8) by 32 runs in T20 World Cup 2026

[Cricket Warrior]

Salman Agha in a post match ceremony:

"I always smile. When have you seen me not smile? (laughs). Clinical win. Last game we didn't bat well in the middle overs, but today we did. Once we scored 190, we knew we could defend that. I would've batted first after winning the toss. With the kind of bowling we have, we know we can win even with 160-170. We are Pakistan, we do things differently to the world. We're comfortable with chasing as well. Our batting order is flexible. First three will probably go in the same order but we're flexible after that. Always room for improvement. We like to bowl well in powerplay. In patches we were good, but we can be more clinical."

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

19 runs in a Shaheen over by the US. I cringe to think what India and other real teams would do to this Pakistani lineup.

What are you on about pakistan have 5 world class spinners even if they don't play shaheen they will still win.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Great match

Pakistan batting was a delight to watch. Especially Sahibzad Farhan. He batted them out of the game

Jam packed with Pakistan fans.

Plenty of Indians in the ground supporting USA

Hope you didn't get into fight with those pretentious Indian USA supporters

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

well done Pak. This win will be etched in history

1-1. Everything is set up perfectly for the rubber match in 2028. Now the rivalry is on

 

[Local.Dada]

Looks like USA team is in a transitional phase with their legends phasing out and Pak on the way up up and up . Any way credit where due.

 

[Rana]

Hope you didn't get into fight with those pretentious Indian USA supporters

Tbf they were asking for it.

I’ve clocked Indians are pretty uncivilised everywhere they go. In England too at stadiums. They weren’t terrible but they are provocative.

Some of them kept saying no ball every time Usman bowled

Clearly inki phatttti hui hai.

 

[pak.cricket]

He scored at 170 SR after the field was spread out against a quality spin attack.

Idiot gonna idiot

okay but how was he a better batsman across both innings? sahibzada literally smashed everyone while shubham scored selfish runs when the match was already over. Maybe Shubham's hero is MS Dhoni who used to do similar acts.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

There was enough grip for Shadab who was super threatening every ball.

There was more grip under lights than there was before although the quality of US spinners was also pretty questionable. This Harmeet guy is not troubling most batters in the world. Mohsin was not terrible. Could do better in the next two games. His high release-point is definitely a plus

 

[RidiculousMan]

Shadab the batter has been very valuable for Pakistan since his comeback.

 

[Local.Dada]

Tbf they were asking for it.

I’ve clocked Indians are pretty uncivilised everywhere they go. In England too at stadiums. They weren’t terrible but they are provocative.

Some of them kept saying no ball every time Usman bowled

Clearly inki phatttti hui hai.

Doodh mangoge to Kheer doonga
Rizwan ke baare me bologe to …….

 

[Rana]

I was preoccupied with the game today

But someone explain, why was Shaheen picked and Salman Mirza dropped?

Mirza had a good game last time and Shaheen was crap! He was crap today too!

 

[Rana]

Why did USA drop Ali Khan and play Ehsan Adil?

That was an embarrassing game for Ehsan. This guy played for Pakistan under Misbah during the torturous 2012-15 era

 

[RidiculousMan]

I was preoccupied with the game today

But someone explain, why was Shaheen picked and Salman Mirza dropped?

Mirza had a good game last time and Shaheen was crap! He was crap today too!

Vibes! Aaag! Sheeno!

 

[Local.Dada]

USA doing a lap of honor for getting an L

Well it’s a big deal for some of these expats to be playing a WC and I am sure their friends and family in the crowd and the handful of fans who were probably American tourists in SL who were checking this out of curiosity. All fair bro, these associate teams deserve

 

[Professionalismandflair]

Afridi

I was preoccupied with the game today

But someone explain, why was Shaheen picked and Salman Mirza dropped?

Mirza had a good game last time and Shaheen was crap! He was crap today too!

should be benched if we want ANY CHANCE vs. India

 

[Rana]

Vibes! Aaag! Sheeno!

I’ve got a story to tell about him. Will create a seperate thread.

Really $hit person I’ve realised

 

[Nikhil_cric]

There was more grip under lights than there was before although the quality of US spinners was also pretty questionable. This Harmeet guy is not troubling most batters in the world. Mohsin was not terrible. Could do better in the next two games. His high release-point is definitely a plus

Not sure if there was more grip under lights. That PAK trio of Abrar, Nawaz and Shadab are bowling superbly.

Just think they are bowling slower with more revs and find more grip.

Shadab was bowling 80-85 kph .

Heard that Ashley Noffke has done a lot of work on these bowlers.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Its more for the USA supporters most of whom traveled all the way from USA !

Well it’s a big deal for some of these expats to be playing a WC and I am sure their friends and family in the crowd and the handful of fans who were probably American tourists in SL who were checking this out of curiosity. All fair bro, these associate teams deserve

Okay, fair enough. I was wrong in saying that and I take my words back.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

okay but how was he a better batsman across both innings? sahibzada literally smashed everyone while shubham scored selfish runs when the match was already over. Maybe Shubham's hero is MS Dhoni who used to do similar acts.

Sahibzada scored against a weaker attack ?

 

[Slim]

I’ve got a story to tell about him. Will create a seperate thread.

Really $hit person I’ve realised

Need to hear this, tag me.

 

[Asif321]

Why did USA drop Ali Khan and play Ehsan Adil?

That was an embarrassing game for Ehsan. This guy played for Pakistan under Misbah during the torturous 2012-15 era

Ali khan got injured didn’t bowl his full overs vs India too and ehsan was brought in from reserves

 

[SM1989]

Why did USA drop Ali Khan and play Ehsan Adil?

That was an embarrassing game for Ehsan. This guy played for Pakistan under Misbah during the torturous 2012-15 era

Ali Khan got injured

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Not sure if there was more grip under lights. That PAK trio of Abrar, Nawaz and Shadab are bowling superbly.

Just think they are bowling slower with more revs and find more grip.

Shadab was bowling 80-85 kph .

Heard that Ashley Noffke has done a lot of work on these bowlers.

I do struggle from a bit of an imposter complex being a Pakistan fan so you may be right. But yeah, Shadab definitely was bowling superbly eventhough the pitch looked flat for the most part. I saw a video of Jarrod Kimber where he pointed out how Shadab is looking closer to the Shadab of old ever since he returned. He is rotating his hips more and doing the full follow-through which he had stopped doing between (2023-25) after suffering that shoulder injury, and was pretty much just bowling side on. Ashley Noffke really has done alot of work with these guys, particularly Saim. He deserves alot of credit. Hesson has organized a competent back-room staff. The fielding is looking much improved aswell. Even Hanif Mailk is a very highly regarded batting coach in Pakistan.

 

[Babeikh]

Nice to see us win comfortably without any drama for once. Was actually relaxed from the first over of the match right until the end which makes a change. If it wasn't for the dolly drop catch we would have won even more comfortably.

As a side note, Usman Tariq keeps picking up wickets but I have a feeling he is going to get clobbered at some point. He reminds me of those fat 50 year olds you get in village cricket in England who just lob the ball up at you. They end up getting wickets somehow - it's as if they are so bad that batters can't play them because they are used to a better standard but at some point it will catch up. I don't know. Maybe I am being harsh. Hopefully I will eat my words.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Mumbai lobby strong is USA too

 

[jnaveen1980]

There was more grip under lights than there was before although the quality of US spinners was also pretty questionable. This Harmeet guy is not troubling most batters in the world. Mohsin was not terrible. Could do better in the next two games. His high release-point is definitely a plus

Calling them USA spinners is a blasphemy. They are just darters. Speeds were swhoing 100 kph regularly.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Surprising to see Shadab not bowling many half trackers

 

[Smbhayi]

Firstly congrats Pak for the win .
Pak might think they've a very good game but I dont think so.. they scored 54 runs in 5 overs but there also 18 dot balls (worth 3 maidens), means they struggle to rotate strike..

 

[sweep_shot]

Great win.

Clinical from Pakistan.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Tbh, India might lay into Mirza too. I think Naseem should probably come in for Shaheen. He has a good record against India.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan fine-tuned their preparations for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash against India by registering a convincing 32-run win over the United States in their second group-stage match.

The USA had stunned Pakistan in a Super Over encounter during the 2024 edition, but there was no repeat of that drama this time as Pakistan remained firmly in control throughout.

Sahibzada Farhan starred with a scintillating 74 off 41 deliveries, while Babar Azam contributed a fluent 48 from 32 balls to help Pakistan post a challenging total of 190 for 9.

In response, the USA struggled to match the required tempo, allowing Pakistan to seal their second consecutive victory of the tournament.

The win provides a significant confidence boost for Pakistan ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes showdown against arch-rivals and defending champions India — a fixture that had been under a cloud after initial calls for a boycott were later overturned by the government.

Pakistan’s innings revolved around Farhan’s ninth T20I half-century, while Babar’s contribution offered timely relief amid his recent struggles for form. Farhan was eventually dismissed by Harmeet Singh in the 16th over, but not before setting up the innings with Pakistan well placed at 143 for 4.

Shadab Khan then added late impetus with a rapid 30 off just 12 balls, although Pakistan lost five wickets in the final two overs. USA seamer Shadley van Schalkwyk was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 25 for the second match in succession.

Chasing 191, opener Shayan Jahangir led the resistance for the USA, anchoring the early stages of the innings before falling agonisingly short of a deserved half-century in the 11th over, by which time the required rate had already climbed steeply.

Despite wickets in hand, the USA managed only 29 runs in the six overs following the powerplay. Shubham Ranjane’s 51 off 30 balls came too late to change the outcome, as mystery spinner Usman Tariq picked up three crucial wickets to halt any momentum.

While the USA suffered their second straight defeat, they will take encouragement from their performance and look to secure their first win of the tournament when they face the Netherlands on Friday.

 

[shah9425]

Revenge complete

 

[guard]

I’ve got a story to tell about him. Will create a seperate thread.

Really $hit person I’ve realised

Establishment Lobby is way to powerful unfortunately. They are zero sum Players and not team players unfortunately. Either play me and lose or play others and i will ensure you lose. No pride for the nation.

 

[mango_bite77]

Post match presenter to USA : What went missing in today's game vs 2024 ?

USA: Haris Rauf

 

[Cricket Warrior]

 

[BouncerGuy]

Revenge complete

Yeah... We dominated easily.

 

[Shafi]

How on earth this guy sneaks in to be a captain, let alone be a part of shorter formats.

 

[chinaman00]

What are you on about pakistan have 5 world class spinners even if they don't play shaheen they will still win.

*world class*

Let’s see you eat your words when the actual real matches start.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Firstly congrats Pak for the win .
Pak might think they've a very good game but I dont think so.. they scored 54 runs in 5 overs but there also 18 dot balls (worth 3 maidens), means they struggle to rotate strike..

It bodes well for us that even after such a dominant win where USA was never in the game at any stage, we have a lot of things to improve.

The biggest improvement would be removing Babar Azam from the line-up.