Pakistan secures a 32-run victory over the USA using a lethal four-man spin attack.
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Pakistan Spin Choke Defeats USA
Can a team be both a complete mystery and a mathematical certainty at the same time? Pakistan arrived at the Sinhalese Sports Complex as a side known for being “blow-hot, blow-cold,” but they left having executed a clinical demolition of the USA.
While a 32-run margin might look standard on a scorecard, the way they dismantled the American chase suggests they have finally found their soul in a new tactical identity: the spin choke.
The USA started with genuine fire, racing to 52-1 during the Powerplay. They looked comfortable, perhaps even dominant. Then, the lights took over, the pitch began to grip, and Pakistan’s spin quartet turned the game into a labyrinth with no exit.
Between the seventh and ninth overs, Mohammed Nawaz and Shadab Khan conceded a measly 10 runs. It wasn’t just about dot balls; it was about psychological pressure.
By the time mystery slinger Usman Tariq entered the fray with his unorthodox angles, the USA batters were already suffocating. Tariq’s 3-27 was the final nail, proving that on these tracks, guile trumps raw velocity.
On the batting front, the relief in the Pakistan camp was palpable. Sahibzada Farhan played the protagonist, smashing 73 off 41 balls with a fearless approach that saw him repeatedly clearing his left foot to punish the line.
He found a steady partner in Babar Azam. Following a disappointing first outing, Babar refused to succumb to the pressure of playing a “slam-bang” style that doesn’t fit his DNA.
Instead, he gave himself a few balls to breathe, identified Harmeet Singh as his target, and coasted to a vital 46. This partnership wasn’t just about runs; it was about building a defensive cushion that allowed the bowlers to experiment later.
Key Match Takeaways:
- Spin Dominance: The quartet of Nawaz, Shadab, Abrar, and Tariq surrendered only 104 runs across 15 combined overs.
- Batting Anchors: Pakistan posted 190-9, anchored by a 46-run contribution from Babar Azam and Farhan’s blistering fifty.
- USA Resistance: Despite the loss, Shubham Ranjane (51) and Shayan Jahangir (49) showed that the USA can fight, even when their primary pace weapon, Ali Khan, is sidelined by injury.
Looking ahead to the “Big Sunday” clash against India, Pakistan has sent a clear warning. They aren’t relying on the ghosts of pacers past. Instead, they are betting on the Premadasa track getting slower under the lights.
For India, the challenge won’t just be surviving the new ball, but solving the riddle of four different spinners who refuse to give any pace to work with. Pakistan might still be a mystery, but its path to victory is becoming increasingly clear.