T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier: USA batters dramatically sneak two runs to force a tie and defeat Canada in Super Over

Fans have witnessed numerous nail-biting T20 matches over the years. With the format being uncertain, the course of the game can change within a span of a few deliveries. Hence, we often see matches going right down to the wire and concluding in a thrilling manner. However, proceedings in the recently-concluded T20I match between USA and Canada exceeded all sorts of drama and controversies.

While Canada’s win looked like a mere certainty, USA dramatically managed to seize a tie and eventually a win in the super over. The high-voltage match took place in the ongoing 2022 T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier on Wednesday (November 10).  In their chase of 143, UAE required three runs of the final delivery with just two wickets in hands.

Rusty Theron, Ali sneak a controversial double

Jatinderpal Matharu went for a slower delivery and Ali Khan, the on-strike batter, went for a wild swing but couldn’t make any connection. However, Rusty Theron, the non-striker, enforced to run a bye. While the wicketkeeper Hamza Tariq made an initial attempt to run Theron out, he didn’t bother to wait for the result, thinking it wouldn’t matter anyway.

Subsequently, celebrations of Canadian players went underway as they thought the ball is dead and the game is over. However, Theron and Ali Khan showed awareness and ran another single. It was Theron who spotted the opportunity and ran back for the second run. He had to shout at Ali Khan, who was heading towards the dug-out, thinking the game was over.

The duo even tried to go for a third but couldn’t complete it. The umpires checked the legality of the two runs and gave the decision in America’s favour. Canadian players looked disappointed as they had started celebrations after the final. However, it turned that Theron and Ali have taken a couple of runs off the delivery which seemed a dot at first.

As per the law, “The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play.” The super over sprinkled salt of Canada’s wound as they could score only 14 in reply to USA’s 22.