South Africa held off a late risk from co-hosts USA as they accomplished a nervy 18-run victory on the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua to kick off the Tremendous 8s stage of the Males’s T20 World Cup.
Chasing 195 for victory, USA’s Andries Gous (73) made a spectacular 33-ball fifty to offer his aspect hope of pulling off one other well-known victory, smashing three sixes within the 18th over to slash their required complete to twenty-eight from 12 balls.
Nevertheless, the South African-born Gous was unable to get his aspect over the road after some tight bowling from Kagiso Rabada (3-18) and Anrich Nortje (1-37) on the demise held them to 176-6.
Earlier, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (74) smashed seven boundaries and 5 sixes throughout his outing, hitting his highest rating of the match as he shared a terrific second-wicket partnership value 110 runs alongside his captain Aiden Markram (46).
Heinrich Klaasen (36no) and Tristan Stubbs (20no) shared an unbeaten 53-run partnership to bother the co-hosts even additional and assist South Africa submit 194-4.
USA’s left-arm bowler Saurabh Netravalkar (2-21), who bowled the well-known Tremendous Over throughout their historic victory in opposition to Pakistan, and spinner Harmeet Singh (2-24) each picked up two wickets apiece however have been unable to completely get rid of the specter of South Africa’s massive hitters.
The victory means South Africa transfer to the highest of Group 2 with two factors with USA behind in second place.
USA showcase underdog brilliance
Gous shared an excellent sixth-wicket partnership with Harmeet Singh value 91 runs because the USA punished South Africa’s bowlers and pulled their aspect from a worrying 76-5 to a commendable 176-6.
The co-hosts confirmed clear intent to chase down South Africa’s complete when opener Steven Taylor (24) dispatched the primary ball of the innings previous backward level for 4.
Quick bowler Kagiso Rabada eliminated Taylor with a back-of-a-length supply that was caught at mid-off by Klaasen, earlier than he struck once more in his following over to dismiss Nitish Kumar (8) and go away USA 53-2 by the tip of the powerplay.
USA stand-in captain Aaron Jones was eliminated for a duck after he edged behind to De Kock, whereas Anrich Nortje crushed Corey Anderson’s (12) leg stump with a brillant fuller ball.
Tabraiz Shamsi (1-50) made a direct impression by trapping Shayan Jahangir (3) lbw to go away USA on 76-5 however courageous and daring batting from Gous noticed the co-hosts edge near the victory line.
Gous smashed 5 boundaries and the identical quantity of sixes as he dragged his aspect to 167 however the wicket of Harmeet Singh (38), who labored a full toss from Rabada to mid-wicket the place he was caught, stunted USA’s stream.
Needing 26 runs from the ultimate over, a win was nonetheless potential however after Gous and Jasdeep solely managed two singles and Nortje bowled a dot ball, victory was all however South Africa’s.
Catch each match from the T20 World Cup, together with the ultimate in Barbados on Saturday June 29, stay on Sky Sports activities.
What’s subsequent?
South Africa head to Saint Lucia for his or her conflict in opposition to defending champions England on Friday 21 June (3.30pm UK and Eire), whereas USA go to Barbados for his or her assembly in opposition to co-hosts West Indies on Saturday 22 June (1.30pm UK and Eire).
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