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Former Canada captain Nitish Kumar shines in USA debut
In a remarkable debut for the USA team against his former side, former Canada captain Nitish Kumar impressed with a brilliant innings of 64 runs off 38 deliveries, leading his team to a four-wicket victory. Kumar’s return to international cricket against his former team, where he played in the 2011 World Cup as a 17-year-old, must have been an emotionally charged moment. Despite the pressure of a potential World Cup spot and facing chirpy remarks from his former teammates, Kumar delivered a sensational innings to rescue USA from a precarious position of 9 for 3.
Kumar received valuable support from seasoned campaigner Corey Anderson, as they forged a crucial 104-run partnership to steer USA out of the early setback in their pursuit of 169 runs. Anderson showcased his experience with a well-timed innings of 55 runs off 48 deliveries, following a cautious performance of 28 runs in the previous game. Despite the heroic partnership, there was still work to be done. With 27 runs required from the final 17 deliveries, Nisarg Patel and Harmeet Singh took charge to secure USA’s victory effortlessly.
Harsh Thaker and Dilpreet Bajwa lead Canada to victory
Aaron Johnson gave Canada a flying start, hitting a six over mid wicket and an impressive off drive off Saurabh Netravalkar in the first over. Canada quickly reached 23 runs in 2 overs. However, Netravalkar struck back with a brilliant delivery to dismiss Srimantha Wijeyeretne. Pargat Singh then tried to recover with two boundaries off Harmeet Singh but was dismissed lbw by Shadley Van Schalkwyk after surviving an edge in the same over.
Johnson and Thaker took on Nostush Kenjige in the 9th over, hitting him for a couple of powerful shots down the ground. However, Johnson was dismissed by Nisarg Patel in the next over for 33 runs. Nicholas Kirton then played a series of boundaries before a mix-up with Thaker led to his dismissal. Thaker, undeterred, hit Harmeet for a boundary to the sight screen. He then smashed Van Schalkwyk for a six over long off before being caught the next ball. Bajwa also contributed, scoring 14 off Usman Rafiq in the 18th over to boost Canada’s score at the end of the innings.
Nitish Kumar and Corey Anderson led a rearguard action for USA
Canada got off to a flying start against USA, taking three wickets in the first two overs. Rishiv Joshi struck early, dismissing Andries Gous, while Saad Bin Zafar added to USA’s woes by removing Aaron Jones with a disputed catch at the boundary and then dismissing Gajanand Singh in the next ball.
Kumar and Anderson managed to score a few boundaries in the following four overs, attempting to revive USA’s innings. Kumar showed urgency by hitting a pull shot for a six off Heyliger. Anderson, on the other hand, overcame his previous struggles against Canada’s spinners by hitting boundaries against Nikhil Dutta and Zafar, striking them confidently downtown. Kumar also punished his old mate Nikhil Dutta with a six over square leg. The duo accelerated USA’s innings, reaching 50 runs in the next 4 overs after the powerplay. Thaker dismissed Anderson, giving Canada some relief, but Kumar continued to dominate after the drinks break, displaying his full range of batting skills. He attacked Uday Singh in the 17th over, hitting a six over long off and a boundary to mid-wicket before getting out caught at long off.
Ice cool Nisarg Patel and Harmeet Singh guide USA to victory
USA lost wickets in a heap at 142 for 6, but left-arm spinners Nisarg Patel and Harmeet Singh refused to provide Canada with any further opportunities. The experienced duo exploited Uday Singh’s relative inexperience. Nisarg made room to whack him down the ground, before Harmeet smoked one out of his presence. Nisarg eventually carved out another boundary in the final over to seal the game in USA’s favor. After putting the screws on Canada, going for less than a run a ball in their 4 overs, the pair added a game-changing 27 off 16 deliveries to end Canada’s series-long misery on the field.
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