USA playing XI vs Pakistan- ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Match 12 - Saurabh Netravalkar to be benched?

USA face Pakistan at Colombo (SSC) [Source: usacricket/X.com]

The United States of America face Pakistan in their second match of the T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, on February 10, at 7 PM (IST).

Just two days into the tournament, the fans have come close to witnessing a few upsets by the associate nations. Pakistan was in the thick of things against the Netherlands, but eventually avoided it, while the USA also had India in a spot of bother at the Wankhede with 77/6. Hence, Pakistan will not want to take any opposition lightly, promising a great game again.

USA vs Pakistan preview

Leading up to the fixture at the SSC stadium, Pakistan almost failed to chase 148 at the venue after they were reduced to 119/7 and needed 29 from 2 overs. However, as fate would have it, dropped catches and some ordinary bowling cost the Dutch and Faheem Ashraf's berserk 29* (11) got them past the line.

In India, a similar tale was being written by the USA as they faced the hosts in Mumbai, as they reduced them to 77/6 in 12/4 overs. But, captain Suryakumar Yadav took the onus to score 84* (49) and helped his team reach 161 runs. The USA fell short by 29, despite 30s from Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane. Shadley van Schalkwyk picked 4/25 (4).

Previously, these two teams met in the 2024 edition of the tournament, where the Asian giants were stunned in a thrilling super overs and the USA went on to play the Super Eights in their first appearance at the World Stage. Now, as the USA look to repeat their 2024 heroics in Sri Lanka, with a race for top-2 open, we take a look at their best choice XI for the match.

USA Playing XI vs Pakistan- Match 12

Top-order batters: Andries Gous (wk), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Monank Patel

Andries Gous is among their best batters, who can go all guns blazing on his days and is also coming in with a good form in franchise T20 cricket. The wicketkeeper has a T20I strike rate of 143.91. He will open alongside the young sensation Saiteja Mukkamalla, who has struck at 150.82 in 19 T20Is to score 641 runs.

The number 3 and captain will be Monank Patel, who offers a bit more stability at the crucial number and will be the bridge between the openers and the middle order. He can find quick runs upon getting himself in and also scored a fifty against Pakistan in their last meeting.

Middle-order batters: Millind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Shehan Jayasuriya/Jasdeep Singh, Harmeet Singh

The middle-order consists of all-rounders from 4 to 8. Milind Kumar is another player who has a lot of experience under his belt and can consolidate in the middle overs. He has the explosive Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Shubham Ranjane at 5 and 6.

Both Krishnamurthy and Ranjane can play as floaters and come in to provide quick runs in the second half of the innings. Milind is an off-break option, while Krishnamurthy can bowl left-arm finger spin, followed by the medium pace of Ranjane.

The middle-order will be capped off by Harmeet Singh and Shehan Jayasuriya. Harmeet bowled an impressive 2/26 against India with the ball and added some runs at a decent strike rate over 120.

Shehan, on the other hand, can come in as Ali Khan's replacement after Khan injured himself on the field and couldn't bowl his final 2 overs against India. Shehan has previously played for Sri Lanka and can be used in his familiar conditions, and chip in with off-break and some runs down the order.

Considering they want to replace Ali Khan with a like-to-like option, Jasdeep Singh, who is a pure bowler, can be roped in by the USA instead of Shehan.

Bowlers: Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Saurabh Netravalkar

Left-arm wrist spinner Mohammad Mohsin will be the lead spinner of this attack after an impressive display of 1/16 against India in Mumbai. He will be followed by Shadley van Schalkwyk, who broke the spine of the Indian batting order with a 4/25 in their opening fixture.

The last man in the XI will be left-arm quick, Saurabh Netravalkar, who has previously done exceptionally against Pakistan. In the 2024 edition, he picked 2/18 (4), followed by a super over effort, defending 18 successfully to power his team to the Super 8s. He did not have an ideal outing against India, but the USA will back his experience.