by Abhai Sawkar Canada 173-8 (Nikhil Dutta 31*(21) 2x4 2x6, Hamza Tariq 31(17) 2x4 3x6 -- Nosthush Kenjige 4-0-44-3, Elmore Hutchinson 3-0-24-2) USA 174-8 (Steven Taylor 96*(54) 6x4 7x6 -- Cecil Pervez 4-0-29-2, Nikhil Dutta 4-0-41-2) Over the course of time in international cricket, we have seen plenty of thrilling chases, times where the near-impossible has been made impossible. In the 2016 World Twenty20 final, Carlos Brathwaite took down Ben Stokes for four consecutive sixes when 19 runs were needed in the last over. Today was a day to savor for Team USA, and especially for the former captain Steven Taylor, who maintained his composure to hammer 22 runs from the final over to bravely and successfully complete a heist of a win over Canada. The rivalry has existed for many years: the Auty Cup might have been called off, but that hasn't deterred either side from getting a chance to display groundbreaking performances. The first contest between USA and Canada in this tournament set the tone for how the other match would go: more hype, more thrill, more action, more skill. In the previous encounter, Canada had a little trouble chasing 141 (even though they salvaged a tie), so captain Nitish Kumar decided to bat first. It was yet another sellout, with an even higher spectator turnout this time around! Ali Khan and Saurabh Netravalkar, USA's opening bowlers, were at the receiving end of decisive punishment from Canada's Srimantha Wijeratne and Navneet Dhaliwal. However, the smooth partnership came to an abrupt end when Elmore Hutchinson's double strike jolted the progress. Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige bagged another three wickets, two of them coming inside the first 10 overs of the Canadian innings. Canny bowling from Kenjige and medium-pacer Roy Silva choked the flow of runs, but this was short-lived dominance. Hamza Tariq decided to take liberties and paste the bowlers for a flurry of boundaries in his quickfire 31. When he was dismissed by Silva, Canada were in a precarious position at 98-6, and the Americans were in great position to take control of the game. However, Nikhil Dutta and Rizwan Cheema, the same two batsmen who spoiled the party for USA's bowlers in the previous encounter, added 32 runs in 16 balls. Wayward bowling and lackluster fielding added to the woes for Team USA, and they would be staring down a tough chase, after Canada posted 173. The American innings started off in poor fashion, with the in-form Monank Patel getting his stumps rearranged by Cecil Pervez. It all began to go pear-shaped after that, when the Canadian spinners toppled the middle order one by one; at the same time, batsmen lost patience and tried to go for the big hits. At 65-6, Canada definitely looked to be way out in front, but the richly experienced Steven Taylor got plenty of vital support from another experienced batsman in Timil Patel. USA might have been scoring slowly, but keeping wickets in hand intact was the key during the middle overs. Cecil Pervez might have bowled Timil Patel and Saurabh Netravalkar might have been run-out, but Taylor began to step on the gas at a crucial juncture. In the 17th over, Nikhil Dutta was ransacked for 20 runs, with Taylor smashing two sixes and a four, in the process. Tail-ender Ali Khan was exposed in the penultimate over, but did well to see off a probing over from Dillon Heyliger. With 22 runs to score in the final over, Canada were definitely in the driver's seat. Things took a turn when legspinner Junaid Siddiqui was called on to bowl the last over. Normally, bowling a spinner towards the end is risky and dangerous. The first ball was in the slot, and Taylor mullered it over midwicket, clearing the boundary by a country mile. The next two balls were bowled at a fuller length, and yielded four runs, courtesy quick running between the wickets. 12 runs were needed from 3 deliveries, and the game wasn't over yet! Siddiqui lost his length, and a knee high full toss was put away over wide long-on by an advancing Taylor, who showed a fine combination of finesse and brawn throughout the game. There was immense pressure on the leggie, and a lapse in serenity resulted in a waist-high full toss which was slogged powerfully over midwicket! Taylor couldn't believe he sealed what was a win that defied the circumstances. His team came rushing onto the field, and the fans were over the moon, vociferously chanting "U-S-A! U-S-A!". A comeback was improbable, but more importantly, it happened! An unbeaten 96 from one of America's finest homegrown talents when his side was almost floundering toward defeat. And not only that, the Americans are now on top of the table after the incredible victory. Taylor's self-belief and motivation defeated the might and skill of the Canadian bowlers. The contest was yet another cliffhanger, and the better team today secured the win. USA may have had some unlucky moments at frequent intervals in this match, but they did learn to handle difficult situations much better. Nerves weren't uncommon, but Steven Taylor's urge to prove himself after middling returns so far was second to none today. After 5 games for each team, here is the points table:
There's just the one game against Belize to go, and that will happen tomorrow. It's time for Team USA to deliver again. Stay tuned for my last match analysis for the Qualifiers and a subsequent post-tournament breakdown report!
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