The United States cricket team has made history by reaching the second round in its Twenty20 World Cup debut after its last group game against Ireland was washed out. The match at Broward County Stadium was abandoned due to rain, allowing the Americans to advance to the Super Eight stage and automatically qualify for the 2026 Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
In other matches on Friday, South Africa narrowly defeated Nepal by one run, while New Zealand secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Uganda.
The U.S. team, which qualified for the T20 World Cup as a co-host with the West Indies, has capitalized on home advantage to make a strong impression in its first major cricket tournament. Progressing alongside unbeaten India from Group A, the Americans have eliminated former champion Pakistan and winless Ireland from Super Eight contention.
The U.S. team's remarkable journey included a thrilling tie against Pakistan in regular overs followed by a victory in a super over, marking one of the greatest upsets in the tournament's history. Despite a loss to India, the hosts' progression to the Super Eight stage was well-deserved.
Meanwhile, Nepal came agonizingly close to a historic win against South Africa, needing two runs from the final ball to secure victory but falling short by one run. The Nepal players displayed resilience in their fight against the powerhouse South African team, with captain Rohit Paudel expressing optimism for future matches against top teams.
New Zealand also claimed its first win in Group C, with Tim Southee leading the bowling attack to restrict Uganda to just 40 runs. Despite the victory, New Zealand had already been eliminated from Super Eight contention after losses to Afghanistan and the West Indies.
Overall, the T20 World Cup has seen intense competition and surprising outcomes, showcasing the talent and determination of teams from around the world.
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