Auburn native leads ‘biggest win in USA Cricket history’

[aubiefifty 18,113]

al.com

Auburn native leads ‘biggest win in USA Cricket history’

Published: Jun. 07, 2024, 5:30 a.m.

3–4 minutes

The United States’ Nosthush Kenjige bowls against Pakistan during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas.(Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

By

Mark Inabinett | minabinett@al.com

The “biggest win in USA Cricket history” on Thursday included a breakout performance by bowler Nosthush Kenjige, who was born in Auburn.

The United States posted a Super Over victory against Pakistan at the International Cricket Council men’s T20 World Cup at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas. The United States won by five runs by outscoring Pakistan 18-13 in the Super Over, a tiebreaker of an additional over of six balls per side.

Pakistan was the runner-up to England in the previous ICC T20 World Cup in 2022 in Australia. It entered the tournament ranked No. 6 in the world. The United States is No. 18.

Kenjige, a left-arm orthodox spinner, handled the U.S. bowling duties with Saurabh Netravalkar on Thursday.

Kenjige was born in Alabama while his father was working as an agricultural researcher at Tuskegee University. While Kenjige was a toddler, his family moved back to India, where his father runs a coffee farm.

Kenjige moved back to the United States in 2015. He made his first appearance for USA Cricket in 2018 – after performing 100 hours of community service to fulfill ICC eligibility requirements.

Last year, Kenjige played for Mumbai Indians New York, which won the championship of U.S.-based Major League Cricket in the circuit’s inaugural season.

The ICC men’s T20 World Cup has brought 20 teams from around the world to the United States for a tournament that runs through June 29.

T20 is the shortest form of cricket with matches lasting less than three hours, instead of three to five days. Each team gets a single innings with a maximum of 20 overs. (An over is six legal deliveries bowled to a batter.)

Thursday’s victory over Pakistan followed a win against Canada in the United States’ opening match. The United States defeated Canada by seven wickets on Saturday in Grand Prairie and leads the tournament’s Group A with four points.

Tournament-favorite India and Ireland also are in Group A. The United States plays India on Wednesday at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The United States’ Nosthush Kenjige bowls against Pakistan during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas.(Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Brahmas safety taking aim at AJ McCarron’s injured ankle

Birmingham Stallions seek to regain their edge for UFL playoffs

10 SEC stars who are bound for the College Football Hall of Fame

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.