Dallas: The USA's T20 World Cup campaign got off to a spectacular start with a thrilling come-from-behind victory, thanks to a match-winning innings by Aaron Jones, who scored an unbeaten 94 runs against arch-rivals Canada here on Sunday.
Jones achieved these match-winning runs in just 40 balls, adorned with 4 boundaries and 10 sixes, turning the game on its head and securing a memorable win for the co-hosts.
The chase began on a shaky note with Steven Taylor falling for a duck and Monank Patel failing to find his rhythm before being dismissed.
At the 8-over mark, the USA was scoring at a modest rate of 6 runs per over, with Andries Gous (65 off 46, 7x4s 3x6s) struggling to accelerate the innings.
However, the dynamics of the game shifted dramatically when Gous and Jones decided to unleash a flurry of aggressive shots.
In a stunning display of batting, the USA scored 19, 14, 10, 15, 20, and 33 runs in the next six overs, leaving Canada reeling.
Jones emerged as the chief architect of this assault, recording the fastest T20I fifty for the USA. His powerful slogging, slog-sweeping, and precise leg-side play showcased his skill and determination, resulting in a breathtaking counterattacking innings.
This remarkable turnaround has not only secured a memorable victory for the USA but also set a high benchmark for the rest of the tournament.
Earlier, the USA faced a daunting task to set a new record. Historically, the USA's highest successful chase in T20Is had been 169, a record they needed to surpass to claim victory.
Opting to bowl first, the USA bowlers struggled due to a lack of early movement on a fast outfield. The Canadian batsmen capitalised on these conditions, with impressive fifties from Navneet Dhaliwal (61 off 44, 6x4s 3x6s) and Nicholas Kirton (51 off 31, 3x4s 2x6s) maintaining the momentum.
The innings was further bolstered by a rapid 16-ball 32-run cameo from Shreyas Movva, propelling Canada to a formidable total.
Canada scored a staggering 35 runs in the final two overs, setting a challenging target for the USA.