USA keep Super 8 hopes alive with win over Netherlands (photos)

KATHMANDU: The USA kept their fading hopes of a Super 8 berth alive with a remarkable victory over the Netherlands in a Group A clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

Having lost all three of their previous T20Is against the Dutch, the Americans entered the game at the bottom of the table, with elimination looming large.

Yet, Monank Patel’s side produced a fearless performance, defeating the Netherlands by a commanding 93 runs.

Saiteja Mukkamalla and Harmeet Singh were at the forefront of the charge, guiding the USA to a victory that could well define their tournament.

The stakes were high: a loss would have made the USA the first team to exit the competition, underscoring the significance of their triumph.

The Netherlands now face a daunting task in their final group game against Suryakumar Yadav’s India, a do-or-die encounter scheduled for Feb 18 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Asked to bat first, the USA posted their highest T20I total against the Netherlands, reaching 196 for six and eclipsing their previous best of 138 in Bulawayo in 2022.

Shayan Jahangir provided a brisk start with 20 runs, setting the tone for the innings.

Captain Monank Patel, who had struggled with the bat in earlier matches against India and Pakistan, made a confident 36 off 22 balls and combined with Mukkamalla in a crucial 75-run second-wicket partnership.

After Patel’s dismissal by Bas de Leede, Mukkamalla seized control, reaching his half-century in just 30 balls.

The 21-year-old finished with a superb 79 off 51 deliveries, hitting five fours and four sixes before being bowled by de Leede, who was the pick of the Dutch bowlers with figures of 4-0-37-3.

Shubman Ranjane then accelerated the scoring, finishing unbeaten on 48 off 24 balls to push the USA close to the 200-run mark, sealing a historic win for the Americans.

Photos: Mahesh Kumar A/AP