Cricket
Pakistan were favourites but USA played great cricket: Ross Taylor on Super 8 spot
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Former New Zealand cricketer Ross Taylor hailed the USA team for making history by advancing into the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. Taylor suggested that the Monank Patel-led side played a brilliant brand of cricket in order to edge past Pakistan, who were once being seen as favourites in Group A alongside India. The USA team reached the Super 8 stage in their very first T20 World Cup appearance. As the host nation, they stepped up their game to pull off a massive upset against Pakistan. The Babar Azam-led side lost in the Super Over thriller against the USA. Before that, they had defeated Canada and went onto lose against India.
Pakistan’s hopes for qualification were dependent on the USA and Ireland match. However, the wash-out resulted in Pakistan’s hopes getting washed away. The USA team gained one point from the game and reached a tally of 5 points from 4 matches. Meanwhile, Pakistan would be able to reach a maximum of 4 if they win against Ireland. The USA team has also ensured their qualification for the T20 World Cup 2026.
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Can the USA pull-off more upsets?
Taylor made a bold prediction that the USA team have it in them to pull-off one or two upsets.
“For now, for them is to, I guess, have a regroup and, a refresh and bring on the Super eight because, you know, I think, on that side of the draw, anything can happen, as we saw with South Africa, and Nepal. I’m sure this USA team will feel like they’ve got one or two more upsets up their sleeves,” Taylor told Star Sports.
Taylor also credited the introduction of the Major Cricket League for playing a major role in the USA cricketers having exposure.
“America, the USA team, they have taken the letter, they’ve gone out there puffed their chest out and played a great brand of cricket. I think MLC starting last year would have given them some confidence in playing against world-class players day in day out.”
The USA edge past Pakistan
Taylor admitted that he touted Pakistan as favourites but pointed out that their loss against the USA changed the qualification scenario.
“But no, that’s, you know, I think. Am I surprised? Obviously, the favourites were Pakistan and they needed to go through. But USA, you know, I guess after that win against Pakistan, that was always the case. And with the weather around..”
The USA team will now head to the West Indies and will face their co-hosts, South Africa, alongside the qualifying team from Group B.
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