United States of America captain Monank Patel is all set to become the first batter from the country to score 1000 T20I runs, if he manages 80 more in their next game against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday.
Monank currently has 920 runs from 37 matches, at an average of 27 and a strike rate of 137.1, which is the most for the USA. He scored a half-century in their last encounter against Pakistan, which his team won, at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The second-highest run-scorer for the USA was Steven Taylor, who has scored 822 runs in 29 matches at an average of 31.61 and a strike rate of 133.65.
Highest run-scorers for USA
Monank Patel: 920 runs
Steven Taylor: 822 runs
Aaron Jones: 770 runs
Andries Gous: 757 runs
Saiteja Mukkamalla: 641 runs
Meanwhile,
an unpredictable Pakistan will look to bury the ghosts of the past when they face a determined USA in Colombo on Tuesday, 20 months after suffering a shocking loss to the same opponents in the T20 World Cup.
During their World Cup debut in 2024, the USA announced their arrival on the big stage with a memorable win against Pakistan.
Having lost to India in the 2026 opener, the USA would be extra motivated for an encore against Pakistan in an evening match at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
Both teams have work to do with the bat. Pakistan appeared to be cruising in their chase of 148 against the Netherlands before a suicidal middle-order collapse almost derailed them; it took Faheem Ashraf’s rescue act to get them over the line, though the implosion would have left them rattled.
The USA had defending champions India under pressure at the Wankhede, but their batters couldn’t complement a brilliant bowling performance.
For Pakistan, Babar Azam will be under the spotlight after his return to the shortest format. Opener Saim Ayub, too, will be expected to contribute more with the bat, having made a bigger impact with his spin bowling in recent outings.
