Key highlights from the first week of the ICC T20 World Cup

Pakistan players during the match against USA in Dallas. Pic/Getty Images

Pakistan stunned by USA

Pakistan have always been unpredictable in ICC events over the years, with them losing to Zimbabwe in the 2022 T20 World Cup and being defeated by Afghanistan in the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, a shock defeat to first-timers USA was pretty unexpected. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was heavily criticised for his poor strike-rate after managing just 14 runs off his first 25 deliveries. He, however, made amends by scoring 44 off 43 balls to take Pakistan to 159-7 in the allotted 20 overs. USA, in reply, started off well, scoring 36 in the first five overs. The match result was eventually decided via Super Over after both teams ended up at 159. A defeat against arch-rivals India today will only make their journey difficult as USA are sitting at the top of the table with two wins in as many games.

Two Super Overs in a week

A super Over finish followed by a tied match in T20s always excites cricket fans. But it's rare to see those thrilling finishes. The 2012 T20 World Cup had two tied matches, while the 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups had none. However, this T20 World Cup has witnessed two Super Overs in the first week. On the second day of the tournament, Namibia beat Oman in the Super Over after both teams were tied at 109, while USA stunned Pakistan in the last-over eliminator on Thursday.

Lowest run-rates, an unwanted record

While the recently-concluded Indian Premier League saw high-scoring affairs, the ongoing T20 World Cup witnessed an unwanted record - the lowest run-rate in a T20I match twice in the first week itself. The Sri Lanka versus South Africa match at New York on Monday saw both teams scoring at a combined run-rate of 4.42 - the then lowest in a T20 World Cup. Batting first, Sri Lanka struggled to score 77 all out in 19.1 overs. South Africa, in reply, chased the target in 16.2 overs. Two days later, Uganda versus Papua New Guinea (PNG) match saw teams scoring at a rate of 4.13, the new low in T20 WC game after PNG managed just 77 all out in 19.1 overs. Uganda chased the target with 10 balls to spare.

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First-timers impress

First-timers USA, Uganda and Canada put up impressive shows to register victories in the first week of their first-ever T20 World Cup. Co-hosts USA shocked Pakistan after putting up a victorious performance against Canada in the opening encounter, while Uganda beat PNG by three wickets in a thrilling low-scoring match. Canada stunned T20 World Cup veterans Ireland in a last-over thriller for their maiden World Cup win.

All but over for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are on the verge of being eliminated in the first week itself after losing back-to-back encounters against South Africa and Bangladesh respectively. The defeats have now put the former champions at the bottom of the table in Group D. They next face minnows Nepal and The Netherlands respectively. A win against both low-ranked teams will give them four points. However, South Africa have four points from two matches. The Proteas have two games remaining, against Bangladesh and Nepal. A win against either side is now enough for South Africa to secure a Super 8 spot. On the other hand, Bangladesh have three games remaining - including two against low-ranked Nepal and The Netherlands. Two wins out of three matches will also help Bangladesh reach six points to make it to the Super 8.