In a thrilling start to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosts USA secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Canada, thanks to an explosive 94-run knock by Aaron Jones. The match, held at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, saw Jones and Andries Gous put on a game-changing century stand that set the tone for a successful run chase.

Canada Sets a Competitive Target

Canada, batting first after losing the toss, posted a formidable total of 194/5. The opening pair of Aaron Johnson and Navneet Dhaliwal got Canada off to a solid start with a 43-run partnership. Johnson scored 23 runs off 16 balls, including five boundaries, before being dismissed by Harmeet Singh in the sixth over.

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Pargat Singh’s brief stint at the crease ended with a run-out, leaving Canada at 54/2. Dhaliwal, however, anchored the innings with a stellar knock of 61 runs from 44 balls, featuring six fours and three sixes. His partnership with Nicholas Kirton bolstered Canada’s score in the middle overs.

Kirton’s aggressive 51 off 31 balls, at a strike rate of 164.52, was instrumental in maintaining the momentum. Dhaliwal’s dismissal in the 15th over by Corey Anderson slowed Canada’s pace momentarily, but Kirton and Shreyas Movva (32 off 16 balls) ensured a strong finish. Dilpreet Singh’s quickfire 11 from 5 balls helped Canada reach 194/5. The US bowling attack, despite early struggles, saw Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, and Ali Khan each taking a wicket.

USA’s Run Chase

The USA’s chase began on a shaky note with the early loss of star batter Steven Taylor, trapped leg-before-wicket by Kaleem Sana on the second ball for a duck. With the score at 0/1, skipper Monank Patel and Andries Gous took to the crease. They steadied the innings, reaching 41/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Patel’s departure for 16, caught by Shreyas Movva off Dillon Heyliger, brought Aaron Jones to the crease. Jones quickly shifted the momentum with aggressive hitting, forming a crucial 131-run partnership with Gous. Their dynamic batting saw the USA reach 81/2 at the halfway mark, with both players setting a blistering pace.

Jones reached his half-century in just 22 balls, marking the fastest fifty in T20Is for the USA. Gous followed suit, reaching his fifty in 39 balls. Their onslaught continued, with the pair bringing up the 100-run partnership in just 29 balls.

Finishing Strong

Canada managed to break the partnership when Nikhil Dutta dismissed Gous for 65, but by then, the USA was firmly in control at 173/3. Jones remained relentless, smashing four boundaries and ten sixes in his unbeaten 94 off 40 balls. He guided the USA to victory in 17.4 overs, with Corey Anderson remaining not out on three.