T20 World Cup Update: Rain Sends Pakistan Packing, Last-Ball Drama in Kingstown
USA Advance, South Africa Survive, New Zealand Thrash Uganda
Co-hosts United States and Pakistan advanced to the T20 World Cup knockout stages on Friday without ever bowling a ball, as their last group encounter against Ireland in Lauderdale, Florida was ruined by excessive weather.
With cricket due to return to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, the United States, competing in their first T20 World Cup, ignited the competition with their thrilling victory against Pakistan in a super over. Their inclusion in the Super Eights is a welcome boost for the game in the region.
Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen combined to run out Gulsan Jha off the penultimate ball, giving South Africa a thrilling victory over Nepal in Kingstown. The victory was by a run, and South Africa's unblemished record was preserved.
In response to South Africa's 115 for 7, Nepal required eight runs in the last over. With two runs required off the last ball and one for a super over, Jha stole a four-over cover and went off for a single.
At the bowler's end, Klaasen threw down the stumps after De Kock's toss bounced off the batter.
At the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, New Zealand, who had already lost to Afghanistan and the West Indies, made the most of their surroundings, which were more like the old Carisbrook rugby and cricket pitch in Dunedin than a Caribbean site. They easily defeated Uganda by nine wickets.
Only one more than they scored against the West Indies in Georgetown, which was the joint lowest score at a T20 World Cup, did the New Zealand bowlers succeed in dismissing Uganda for 40. They did this by getting the ball to swerve, cut, and spin throughout.
Despite the fact that they only lost one wicket in a little over five overs to reach their goal, New Zealand's disastrous tournament was not made any better. They will now depart for home regardless of the outcome of their last group encounter against Papua New Guinea on Monday.
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