(AP Photo)
Americans have a penchant for believing in miracles. It’s ingrained in their culture, passed down through generations with tales like that of Seabiscuit’s legendary victory over the formidable War Admiral in 1938. The clash between these two horses was more than just a race; it was a showdown between the underdog from the West coast, known for its laziness and untrainability, and the aristocratic, seemingly invincible horse from the established East coast.
Grantland Rice, the renowned journalist, immortalized the race with his words:”A little horse with the heart of a lion and the flying feet of a gazelle yesterday proved his place as the gamest thoroughbred that ever faced over an American track.”
In 1950, another astonishing event unfolded. The United States, with odds of 500-1 to win the football World Cup, defied expectations by defeating the top-ranked team in the world, England, with a header by Joe Gaetjans in the thirty-seventh minute, securing a remarkable 1-0 victory.
Then, amidst the height of the Cold War, a team of American amateurs achieved the unthinkable by defeating the dominant ice hockey players from Russia at the 1980 Olympics. This historic match, now immortalized as ‘The Miracle on Ice,’ captivated the world. The Sports Illustrated cover commemorating this iconic moment lacked a headline, as photographer Heinz Kluetmeier conveyed to Richard Deitsch in 2008.”It didn’t need it. Everyone in America knew what happened.”
On Thursday, in a modest corner of Dallas, on a field once reserved for baseball, the United States cricket team authored a miracle that echoes in the annals of sporting history, resonating almost as profoundly as the legendary moments described earlier. While the sport may not yet enjoy widespread recognition in a country largely unfamiliar with it, the significance of this feat cannot be overstated. Perhaps, in time, its magnitude will be fully appreciated, if not now, then someday. It must be.
Pakistan has developed a penchant for nurturing the aspirations of other nations in World Cups. Bangladesh and Ireland can testify to this, and now the United States of America can join their ranks. Babar Azam’s team, though mercurial, boasts an impressive track record, having reached the semi-final stage in six out of eight men’s T20 World Cups, culminating in a runner-up finish in the most recent tournament held in Australia in 2022.
To overcome Pakistan, the USA required more than just luck or a lackluster opponent. They needed to demonstrate their own prowess, and that’s precisely what they did in a match that unfolded with nail-biting tension until the very end.
Batting first, Pakistan struggled to amass a competitive total, reaching 159/7 against a disciplined USA bowling attack. Saurabh Netravalkar’s figures of 2/18 in four overs, alongside Nosthush Kenjige’s 3/30, played a significant role in restricting Pakistan to a manageable score.
Despite facing a formidable bowling lineup comprising Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, the USA team, comprised of individuals hailing from India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies, proved they could hold their own. While the USA had previously secured T20I victories against Bangladesh and Ireland, this triumph against Pakistan was undoubtedly their most significant to date. Despite facing a heavyweight opponent, the hosts refused to be intimidated.
“In the huddle we talked about how there’s no pressure for us, all of the pressure is in front of Pakistan,” said US skipper Monank Patel. “We knew that we didn’t have all the support from the crowd, Pakistan had more in the crowd. I thought if we played good cricket that would backfire on them and they’d be more under pressure.”
Patel’s assessment proved accurate. Initially, Pakistan appeared disoriented on the field—lacking the usual intensity and displaying no signs of apprehension. The USA team began steadily, reaching 100 runs for the loss of just one wicket. However, Pakistan’s pace attack suddenly found their rhythm.
As the gap between runs required and balls remaining widened, there were moments where it seemed insurmountable. Yet, whenever the situation threatened to spiral out of control, the USA team countered with crucial boundaries—either a timely four or a towering six. Aaron Jones, who had showcased his prowess against Canada, contributed a vital 36 off 26 deliveries. Prior to that, Patel himself had laid the groundwork with a brilliant half-century, scoring 50 runs off 38 balls.
Backed by a crucial 14-run last over from Rauf, these collective efforts propelled the match into a Super Over. However, Pakistan’s inconsistency resurfaced at a critical juncture. An 18-run over by Amir, marred by three wides, presented a daunting challenge. Then, Netravalkar delivered a masterful final over, clinching victory for the USA. While the record books will document a narrow five-run win, the profound impact of this victory transcends numerical measurement.
“I think we are not worried about what people are saying, we know what capability we have and we just focus on the particular game,” the USA captain said after the match. “We don’t want to keep our emotions too high or too low, we’ll enjoy the win today and make sure that the next day we come fresh.
“Before the tournament I said that we want to focus on one game at a time, and our focus will be on playing against India now. We don’t even want to think about Ireland right now, so the Super 8 is far ahead, we just want to focus on one game at a time.”
The essence of the World Cup was to captivate an audience in the USA. And history has proven that nothing captures attention quite like a miracle, especially one unfolding on the cricket field.
