Experienced batsman Milind Kumar became the USA’s most prolific six-hitter in men’s ODI cricket as he inspired a record-breaking run chase against the United Arab Emirates in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 match on Monday.
Milind smashed an unbeaten 116 off just 84 balls at Grand Prairie Stadium, including five sixes, as the USA chased down 331 with seven deliveries to spare.
The victory marked USA’s highest successful ODI chase, surpassing their previous best of 294-7 against Nepal in Dallas in 2024.
Milind’s fifth ODI century also took him past former captain Monank Patel for the most sixes by a USA batter in the format.
He and Shubham Ranjane, who finished unbeaten on 57, shared an unbroken 160-run partnership to complete the chase.
The result moved USA to League 2 summit as they continue their bid to qualify for next year’s 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The USA have already secured a place in the World Cup Qualifier through their strong League 2 campaign and need one more victory from their remaining matches in the current tri-series to guarantee top spot.
The top four teams in the Qualifier will secure places at next year’s World Cup, giving the USA a chance to reach the tournament for the first time.
The USA face Namibia in Dallas on Wednesday, while UAE meet Namibia on Friday.