Picture Courtesy: Arab News PK
USA ended on 158 for 8 and lost by 32 runs, but this defeat was not about missed chances or bad luck. It was about tactics. From team selection to batting-order decisions, USA made choices that did not match the conditions, and the match slipped away steadily.
This game highlighted planning issues rather than execution failures.
Spin Was Ignored
Spin clearly played a major role on this wicket. Pace off the ball worked far better than raw speed, yet Nosh Kenjige was left out. This was his best chance to play.
USA brought in Ehsan Adil on debut because Ali Khan was injured and Shubham Ranjane was not fit to bowl, leaving the team short of pace options. The thinking was understandable, but the conditions demanded spin. Both innings proved that slowing the ball down was the correct approach, making Kenjige’s omission costly.
Batting Order Had No Flexibility
The chase lost direction due to a rigid batting order. Monank Patel’s innings hurt USA beyond the scoreboard.
He scored 3 off 10 balls, but the bigger issue was strike rotation. Jahangir was flying at 36 off 18 balls, then lost momentum once Monank came on strike. Jahangir, who started at two runs per ball, managed only 13 runs from his final 16 deliveries before getting out. USA never recovered from that slowdown.
Krishnamurthi Was Needed Earlier
At 58 for 2 in the ninth over, USA needed 133 off 69 balls. This was the moment for aggression against Pakistan’s spinners.
Sanjay Krishnamurthi, USA’s best middle-order power-hitter, should have batted at number four. Instead, Milind Kumar, a slow starter, was sent in. Milind’s 11 off his first 15 balls further stalled the chase and finished Jahangir’s rhythm. The decision was baffling and costly.
Milind’s Place Under Question
Milind Kumar’s role in the T20 XI needs review. His bowling has not delivered, and his slow batting has disrupted momentum in both losses. Fielding alone cannot justify his place.
Meanwhile, Sai Mukkamalla, USA’s most consistent T20I batter since the 2024 T20 World Cup, remains out despite being harshly dropped. He deserves a recall.
Conclusion
USA did not lose because of luck. They lost because they failed to adapt. Until tactical thinking improves, results like this will keep repeating.