Canada scored 194/5 in 20 overs, where as USA scored 197/3 in 17.4 overs.
So, finally USA beat Canada by 7 wickets.
In a dazzling start to their T20 World Cup campaign, USA, serving as co-hosts, clinched a thrilling seven-wicket victory against arch-rivals Canada.
Their chase of a formidable 195-run target was executed with finesse, leaving them with a comfortable 14 balls to spare.
This remarkable feat stands as the third-highest run-chase in T20 World Cup history and a historic milestone for USA in T20Is.
Spearheading this spectacular triumph was the brilliant 40-ball 94* innings by Aaron Jones.
What turned the tide was the dynamic third-wicket alliance between Andries Gous and Jones.
Their partnership of 131 runs, scored at an astonishing run-rate exceeding 14, effectively dismantled Canada’s defenses.
As the match progressed, the pitch improved significantly, aided by the dew factor in the latter half.
This allowed Gous and Jones to launch a relentless assault on the opposition’s bowling, culminating in the highest partnership ever recorded for USA in T20Is.
Jones, in a display of sheer power-hitting prowess, smashed a remarkable total of 10 sixes in his innings, a feat surpassed only by Chris Gayle at T20 World Cups.
Adding to the onslaught, Gous contributed a vital 65 runs off 46 deliveries, embellished with 7 fours and 3 sixes.
At the coin toss, USA elected to field first on a pristine pitch, with captain Monank Patel emphasizing the team’s confidence in their chasing abilities.
In response, Canada’s captain Saad bin Zafar expressed his team’s willingness to bat first, stating they “didn’t mind” the decision.
Canada’s innings kicked off on a positive note during the Power Play, as they reached 50 runs for the loss of one wicket.
Aaron Johnson set the tone with a stylish boundary off the very first ball, initiating the World Cup campaign with flair.
The absence of significant movement in the pitch favored the Canada openers, enabling them to execute their shots with confidence.
However, the third over, delivered by Ali Khan, witnessed a flurry of boundaries, prompting USA captain Patel to introduce the left-arm spin of Harmeet Singh for some control.
Singh’s inclusion brought stability to the bowling attack, ultimately leading to the dismissal of Johnson in the final over of the Power Play.
During the middle overs, Canada amassed 87 runs for the loss of two wickets, including 6 boundaries and 4 sixes.
The batsmen capitalized on the favorable conditions of the pitch, maintaining a steady flow of runs.
Opener Navneet Dhaliwal, despite a slow start, assumed the responsibility of scoring runs and reached a commendable fifty off 36 balls, marking his first half-century in a World Cup.
Despite the setback of losing Pargat Singh to a run-out in the eighth over, Dhaliwal remained aggressive and determined.
However, his innings came to an end when he was caught off Corey Anderson’s first delivery of the match at long-off.
Nevertheless, Dhaliwal’s efforts laid a solid foundation for Canada during the middle overs, influencing Nicholas Kirton to adopt a similarly aggressive approach, resulting in a productive 62-run partnership.
In the death overs, Canada managed to score 57 runs while losing 2 wickets, including 4 boundaries and 3 sixes.
Nicholas Kirton showcased his batting prowess by reaching a blistering fifty off just 28 balls, receiving valuable support from Shreyas Movva, who contributed a quickfire 32* runs from 16 deliveries.
However, despite their efforts, Canada found themselves slightly trailing behind, considering the excellent batting conditions and the lightning-fast outfield.
The 18th over, bowled by Ali Khan, proved pivotal as it yielded only four runs and resulted in the dismissal of the well-set Kirton, further denting Canada’s momentum.
Despite a late surge in the final two overs, accumulating 35 runs, including 21 in the last over, Canada could only mitigate some of the damage inflicted by the USA bowlers.
During the Power Play, USA scored 41 runs for the loss of one wicket, with 6 boundaries but no sixes.
USA required a solid start to pursue their highest-ever run chase, but in retrospect, their Power Play performance fell short of expectations.
The early dismissal of Steven Taylor, adjudged lbw to Kaleem Sana off the second ball of the innings, set USA back.
Furthermore, Andries Gous, who later found his rhythm partnering with Jones, struggled to accelerate, managing only 21* runs from 20 deliveries in the first six overs.
Meanwhile, captain Monank Patel, batting at the other end, failed to improve the run rate, maintaining a run-a-ball against a varied attack comprising pace and spin from the Canadian bowlers.
During the middle overs, USA surged ahead, amassing 127 runs for the loss of just one wicket, including 5 boundaries and a staggering 12 sixes.
It was a period that electrified the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, with the crowd fully engaged in chanting and cheering.
The transformation was unexpected, considering the modest start of this phase for USA.
Monank Patel attempted to break free but succumbed to an edge behind off the third ball of the seventh over.
The following over, bowled by captain Zafar, yielded a mere three runs – an unusual occurrence.
At this juncture, Aaron Jones was struggling at 1 run from 5 deliveries, while Andries Gous was scoring at a run-a-ball rate.
However, Gous broke the shackles with a six off Nikhil Dutta in the ninth over, igniting a surge in momentum.
Jones swiftly followed suit, launching an assault that continued in every subsequent over, propelling him to a 22-ball fifty, the fastest by any USA batter.
The onslaught from USA only exacerbated Canada’s woes.
Jeremy Gordon bore the brunt of the punishment, conceding 33 runs in the 14th over, marking the second-highest number of runs conceded in a T20 World Cup over.
The aftermath of this onslaught saw Canada granting a reprieve to the hard-hitting Jones when he reached 65 runs, a costly mistake in the context of the match.
In the death overs, USA swiftly wrapped up the chase, scoring 29 runs in just 2.4 overs, featuring 2 boundaries and 2 sixes.
The dominance established during the middle overs left little doubt about the outcome.
Although Andries Gous fell victim to a catch at long-off, Aaron Jones wasted no time in sealing the victory.
The 29-year-old batsman displayed nerves of steel as he hammered a memorable six over midwicket, culminating in USA’s arrival on the grandest stage of them all in truly stylish fashion.
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