NEW DELHI: The
T20 World Cup
co-hosts, USA, commenced their campaign with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Canada in a Group A encounter between the debutants.
After being asked to bat first, Canada posted a formidable total of 194 for five in their allotted overs.
AS IT HAPPENED: USA vs CAN | T20 World Cup 2024
In response, the USA's chase was propelled by notable contributions from
Andries Gous
, who scored 65 runs, and
Aaron Jones
, who remained unbeaten on 94 off just 40 deliveries.
Jones's blistering innings featured an impressive display of power-hitting, with 10 sixes and four boundaries, enabling the USA to comfortably chase down the target in 17.4 overs.
Jones, who hit the second-highest number of sixes in a T20 World Cup innings, just one behind Chris Gayle's record of 11 against England in 2016, found it challenging to articulate his thoughts on the match. "I don't think it's easy to describe," he remarked.
The batsman expressed confidence in his team's ability to chase down any target below 200 runs, given their strong batting lineup. Jones shared his approach to the game, stating, "I follow my processes and enjoy power hitting. If I connect well, it's definitely going." He also revealed that he performs at his best when under pressure, saying, "I thrive under pressure; it brings out the best in me."
Canada's innings was characterized by a positive start during the powerplay overs, with openers
Navneet Dhaliwal
(61) and Aaron Johnson (23) providing an aggressive foundation. Subsequently,
Nicholas Kirton
's brisk 51 off 31 balls further bolstered their total.
However, the USA, co-hosting the tournament alongside the West Indies, demonstrated their prowess and composure in completing the chase without significant obstacles.Their comprehensive victory underscored their potential as a formidable force in the competition.
The match showcased the talents of both teams, with standout performances from players like Jones, Gous, Dhaliwal, and Kirton. As debutants on the global stage, their performances highlighted the growth and competitiveness of associate nations in the sport.
(Inputs from PTI)
English (US) ·