DALLAS (Dunya News ) - The United States (US) thrashed Canada by seven wickets in the opening match of the T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 here on Sunday.
Set a target of 195 by Canada, the US romped home with 14 balls to spare thanks to Aaron Jones' 40-ball 94 and 65 by Andries Gous.
Jones' unbeaten knock contained 10 sixes and four fours while Gous hit three sixes and seven fours off 46 balls.
The US started their maiden cricket World Cup bid on the back of a 2-1 series win over Test playing nation Bangladesh and thrashed the Canadians 4-0 when the sides last met in April.
The match was in the balance before Jones - born in Queens, New York to Barbadian parents – swung it the way of the home side with a stellar knock to take the US to 197-3.
With the US requiring 36 off 35 balls, Jones sliced the ball to short third, but Nikhil Dutta clumsily spilled a simple catch. It proved decisive as the 29-year-old pummelled the US to victory.
Canada started defence of their 194 runs in an impressive way by removing openers Steven Taylor for a second-ball duck and Monank Patel for 16. Jones and Gous then paired and put on 131 runs for the third-wicket partnership to lead their team to victory.
Earlier, Canada piled up a healthy 194 losing five wickets after the US won the toss and put them in to bat at the Grand Prairie Stadium.
Led by Navneet Dhaliwal’s 61 from the top, Canada showed the world their mettle with a superb performance in the World Cup opener.
He was supported ably with contributions from Nicholas Kirton 51, and Shreyas Movva at the end with 32.
Harmeet was arguably the pick of the bowlers with his one for 27 in four overs.