T20 WC 2024: USA beat Pakistan in Super Over
Dallas (USA), Jun 6: Newcomers USA stunned former champions Pakistan via the Super Over to cause the first big upset of the ongoing T20 World Cup here on Thursday.
Asked to bat first, Pakistan scored 159 for seven in the allotted 20 overs. The USA produced a fine show and ended at 159 for three.
In the Super Over, USA smashed 18 runs for the loss of one wicket and Pakistan could manage only 13 for one.
The result is reminiscent of Pakistan's shocking loss to Ireland in the 2007 ODI World Cup.
Ireland were playing in their first World Cup then.
Skipper Monank Patel struck a fluent 50 off 38 balls Andries Gous contributed 35 in 26 balls. Aaron Jones, the hero of USA's win over Canada in the tournament opener, remained not out on 36 in 26 balls.
Earlier, captain Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 44 while Shadab Khan chipped in with 40.
For USA, Nosthush Kenjige was the pick of the bowlers, grabbing three wickets for 30 runs.
USA started the campaign with a win over Canada, and a victory on Thursday not only boosted their position in the table, but also helped them script history.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 159 for 7 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 44, Shadab Khan 40; Nosthush Kenjige 3/30).
USA: 159 for 3 in 20 overs (Monank Patel 50, Andries Gous 35).
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Protests over rising prices spread across Iran as students join demonstrations
Tehran: Protests triggered by Iran’s worsening economic conditions spread to universities and commercial centres on Tuesday. Students joined shopkeepers and traders in demonstrations against soaring prices and the sharp fall of the national currency, according to semi-official media reports.
The unrest comes as the Iranian rial hit a record low, sliding to around 1.4 million against the US dollar on the open market, according to a Reuters. The currency has lost nearly half its value this year, while inflation reached 42.5 per cent in December, official data showed.
Semi-official Fars News Agency reported that hundreds of students staged protests at four universities in Tehran. Footage verified by Reuters showed groups of demonstrators marching through streets in the capital, chanting slogans, while state television broadcast images of gatherings in central areas of the city.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said late on Monday that he had instructed the interior minister to engage with protesters and listen to what he described as their legitimate demands. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities would set up a dialogue mechanism that could include talks with protest leaders.
“We officially recognise the protests. We hear the voices of the people and understand that these demonstrations stem from pressure on livelihoods,” Mohajerani said in remarks carried by state media.
On social media platforms, several Iranians expressed support for the protests, warning that public anger over rising prices, corruption and economic inequality could spread further across the country.
Iran’s economy has been under strain for years following the reimposition of US sanctions in 2018 after Washington withdrew from the international nuclear agreement. United Nations sanctions were reinstated in September, and Reuters reported in October that senior officials had held multiple meetings to discuss ways to prevent economic collapse and manage public discontent.
President Pezeshkian, speaking at a meeting with trade unions and market representatives on Tuesday, said the government would make efforts to address economic grievances and ease concerns faced by workers and traders, according to state media.
On Monday, Iran’s central bank chief resigned, with local media linking the move to pressure on the currency market following recent economic liberalisation policies.
