In the first match of the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup, the co-host United States Of America overcame the challenge of Canada. U.S. chased a massive target of 195 in 17.4 overs only. It was the third-highest chase in the T20 World Cup history. Aaron Jones of the U.S. was the player of the match with an unbeaten 94* off 40 balls.
Turning Point Of The Match
A blistering 131-run partnership between Jones and Andries Gous was the turning point of the match that powered the U.S. to an emphatic win. The pair strike rate was 14 runs per over which took the game away from the Canadians.
Pitched became heavenly for batters due to dew in the second half of the innings. Jones hit 10 sixes and 3 fours. Gous made a brisk 65 off 46 balls.
Toss
The USA choose to bowl first after winning the toss. They were very clear about chasing the target. Canadian Skipper Saad Bin Zafar said they are happy to bat first.
Canada’s Powerplay (8x4s, 1x6s)
Aaron Johnson kicked off the T20 World Cup 2024 with a first-ball boundary. The pacers didn’t have enough movement which allowed the openers to play freely and make full use of circle limitation in the first 6 overs.
However, Captain Patel opted for a spin after the pacers went for plenty. Left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh rein in the Canadian batters and got rid of Johnson in the last over of power play.
Over No 7 To 15 (6x4s, 4x6s)
Opener Navneet although a bit cautious, kept on going and brought his first World Cup 50 in 36 balls. Paragat Singh, the backbone of the middle order, got run out in the 8th over.
Dhaliwal kept going but got caught by Corey Anderson’s first ball of the match. His inning gave the required stability to Canada’s batting.
Death Overs (4x4s, 3x6s)
Kirton made a 28-ball fifty, complemented by a 32-run cameo from Shreyas Movva but Canada didn’t get over 200. Given a beautiful batting pitch and fast outfield, the Canadian team just couldn’t get the advantage.
Ali khan bowled a gave only 4 runs in the 18th over with a wicket of well-set Kirton. The USA conceded 21 runs in the last over but still kept Canada under 200.
USA Innings
Powerplay (6x4s, 0x6s)
An electric start was required from the USA to chase mammoth 195 but that wasn’t the case. Seven Taylor was judged lbw of f the second ball of the innings.
Goius, the opening partner, only managed to score 21* off 20 balls in the powerplay. Captain Patel was scoring run a ball as no.3.
Middle Phase (5x4s, 12x6s)
Monak Patel was trying to break free but kept finding edges to the third man. Captain Saad bowled 3 runs over. The crow
started chanting for the home side which responded by Gous as he hit a gigantic six off Nikhil Dutta in the ninth over that kept the USA going.
Jones completed a 22-ball fifty, the fastest by a US batter. Afterward, it was no looking back for the U.S. Jeremy Gordon conceded 33 runs in his 3rd over. Canada never recovered from the onslaught.
Death Overs (2x4s, 2x6s)
Damaged had already been done in the middle phase of the innings by the USA. It was just a matter of time for the U.S. to
finish the match. Although Gous got caught at long-off Jones ensured to get his team over the line. The 29-year fearsome hitter finished the match with a six over midwicket.