The co-hosts of the T20 World Cup 2024, USA pulled off a stunning victory as they upset the runners-up of the 2022 edition of the tournament, when they beat Pakistan in the Super Over at Dallas, on June 6.
After an early collapse, Pakistan managed to set USA with a target of 160 runs to chase. The co-hosts led by Monank Patel's half-century managed to equal the score and tie the game at the end of 20 overs, leading to a Super Over.
By the International Cricket Council's (ICC) rules for the Super Over, Pakistan had a bowl first, and Mohammad Amir was given the responsibility against the USA batters for the six balls, in the Super Over. However, he conceded 18 runs, making things difficult for the batters.
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In this article, we look at whether Mohammad Amir should have bowled the crucial Super Over for Pakistan, over the likes of Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi or Haris Rauf.
Should Mohammad Amir have bowled the Super Over for Pakistan?
The question on whether Mohammad Amir should have bowled in the Super Over was a point of discussion on a YouTube channel "Caught Behind" which featured former cricketers, Ajay Jadeja and Rashid Latif.
Speaking on the topic, former Pakistan cricketer and coach, Latif questioned Pakistan's tactics and decision to go with 32-year-old Amir for the important Super Over, saying:
"Amir bowled 19th over in the match. If a bowler bowls the 19th over at his age, he is looking to end the match. He would think that it is his last over and that he wouldn't need to return to bowl again in the match. He also gave his 100 percent, so i feel another bowler should have bowled in his place."
Latif further justified his point by giving an example of a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match where veteran Sohail Tanvir was the given the ball for the final over for Multan Sultans, which they went on to lose against Karachi Kings.
"All this should have been a part of the strategy by the coaching team. They should have considered all these scenarios before the match", he added.
Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja, who was also a part of the discussion agreed with Latif's point about Amir, saying:
"You [Latif' have raised a great point. If you need proof, look at the final ball of the 19th over which Amir bowled. After the ball was hit to mid-off, he was standing there raising his hands in relief [of finishing his 4-over spell]. In his mind, the match was over for him [he was not ready for the Super Over]."
What were the options for Pakistan in Super Over against USA?
Pakistan captain Babar Azam had the options of going with four quality fast bowlers in Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. That said, Amir's excellent 6-run over in the 19th over, which gave Rauf a cushion of 15 runs in the final over, might have prompted Babar to go with him for the Super Over.
However, the decision to go with Amir for the Super Over did to go plan for Pakistan as USA were able to score 18 runs in the six balls. Despite conceding just a single boundary, the rest of the runs came through extras via wides and overthrows from the wicketkeeper, Mohammad Rizwan.
This shock defeat has put Pakistan under greater pressure to win their next game, which will be a must-win encounter against arch-rivals India at the Nassau International Cricket Stadium, New York, on June 9.
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