The 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, has already delivered some unexpected drama. One match that’s got people talking is the clash between Pakistan and USA.
While the full scorecard for that Pakistan vs USA T20 World Cup encounter isn’t widely detailed, reports confirm it was a tight affair. Apparently, the USA pushed the former champions right to the limit.
USA’s Growing Confidence on the Big Stage
The United States team, despite not having a long history in top-tier cricket, showed they aren’t here to just make up the numbers. Their tournament opener against India in Mumbai was a wake-up call for many. India secured a 29-run victory, yes.
But it wasn’t a walkover like some expected. Suryakumar Yadav had to smash 84 not out from 49 balls just to set that total. That tells you something.
That performance against India set the tone. And later, against a powerhouse like Pakistan, they showed that wasn’t a fluke. England all-rounder Sam Curran, speaking after a close match involving Nepal, summed up the tournament’s vibe.
He said it’s “unbelievable” how competitive this World Cup is, highlighting “narrow defeats for Netherlands and USA against Pakistan and others.” It’s clear the USA are making a name for themselves, even in losses, as Sky Sports Cricket reported.
Pakistan’s Early Jitters
For Pakistan, winning the T20 World Cup in 2009 felt a long time ago. Their start to this tournament wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. They faced the Netherlands in their opening match, a game many expected them to win handily. But it turned into a real scare.
They won by three wickets, avoiding a big upset. Faheem Ashraf’s boundary burst was crucial. A dropped catch from the Netherlands also helped them out. So, you can see why the USA match wasn’t a straightforward victory. Pakistan had already shown some vulnerability.
Captain Salman Agha, before the tournament, was busy defending bowler Usman Tariq, calling him the side’s “X factor” despite questions about his action. That’s the kind of pressure they’re under. And ESPN Cricinfo touched on these early tournament close calls.
A World Cup Full of Surprises
This 2026 T20 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the most competitive ones we’ve seen. We’ve already mentioned USA pushing India, and then Pakistan. But there were other close calls too. New Zealand beat Afghanistan, but it was by five wickets.
West Indies beat Scotland, with Shepherd even grabbing a hat-trick. These aren’t just easy wins. Teams are fighting hard.
The tournament has a lot of storylines brewing. Pakistan, for instance, had that talk about boycotting their match against India because of government pressure, something India captain Yadav simply brushed off with “flight booked.”
You get a lot of off-field stuff, but on the field, it’s been pure cricket. The USA team, despite their board being suspended by the ICC pre-tournament, are putting that behind them.
Their internal crisis, with bankruptcy filings and legal disputes, hasn’t stopped them from performing. They’re here to play. And they’re making sure everyone knows it, as ESPN would cover.
So, while we don’t have the exact numbers for Pakistan vs USA, the message is clear. The USA are no pushovers. This World Cup isn’t going to be predictable. Expect more tight finishes. And watch out for these smaller teams. They’re ready to make some noise.
Sagnik Banerjee 
Priyanjan Paul 
Govind Singh