T20 World Cup 2024: Keeping emotions in check, focus on India, says USA skipper Monank after stunning Pakistan

United States’ skipper Monank Patel is certain that their epochal T20 World Cup win over Pakistan will open ‘many doors’ for them, but wants to keep emotions in check and focus on the next assignment against India.

Patel made a composed 50 as co-hosts USA shocked 2009 champion Pakistan via Super Over here on Thursday.

“I thought we should have finished the game (in regular time) and we should have never gone to Super Over. I mean the way we kept our nerves…and in the Super Over particularly, scoring 18 runs gave us a big upper hand to defend the target,” Patel said in the post-match press conference.

“In the huddle, we talked about – ‘there’s no pressure for us’. All the pressure is in front of Pakistan. We knew that we didn’t have enough support from the crowd. Pakistan had more support from the crowd.

“I thought it will backfire on them, and if we play good cricket, they’ll be more under pressure,” said Patel.

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Despite the win, the USA captain is focussed on another daunting task, facing India on June 12.

“I am happy with the win. Playing against Pakistan for the first time in the World Cup and beating them was an unbelievable performance. Our focus would be on playing against India now,” Patel said.

“But we don’t want to keep our emotion too high or low. We’ll make sure that we’ll enjoy it (the win) and make sure that next day we come fresh,” he added.

Patel, who made a crucial 50, asserted that the victory for the Asian giants would have far-reaching ramifications for USA cricket as a whole.

“Beating Pakistan in World Cup is going to open many doors for us. The World Cup itself (hosting) is a big achievement, and then performing here as a team, it helps us to grow the cricket in USA.

“I would say it’s a big day for Team USA and I would say not just for USA, for the USA cricket community too,” said Patel.

But it is not yet ready to think of a Super 8 entry, despite topping Group A with four points after wins over Canada and Pakistan.

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“We are not worried about what people are saying (that their wins are fluke). We know what we have worked and what capability we have.

“We don’t even want to think about the Ireland (match) right now. So, Super 8 is far ahead. We just focus on the particular game,” he explained.

But for now, Patel said the team members are in a celebratory mood after their surprising victory.

“Obviously, everyone is happy, enjoying with their teammates and their family and friends,” he added.