North Sound, Antigua & Barbuda

South Africa made a winning start in Super Eight stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup with an 18-run victory against USA on Wednesday (June 19). Chasing 195, USA came close thanks to Andries Gous' unbeaten 47-ball 80 but could eventually manage 176/6 in 20 overs.

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South Africa's Kagiso Rabada bowled a brilliant 19th over, giving away just two runs and taking a wicket, as USA threatened to make another upset after taking 22 runs in the 18th over.

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USA, however, started poorly in chase as they lost two wickets inside the powerplay but managed to score 53 runs at nearly nine runs per over. Protea bowlers then came back strongly as USA crawled to 76 runs in 11.1 overs but lost three more wickets.

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Opener Gous then added 91 runs with Harmeet Singh (38 off 22) in just seven overs as SA stared at an upset. The SA bowlers, however, kept their nerve to close out the game.

Earlier, USA won the toss and elected to bowl first. South Africa lost the first wicket early for just 16 runs in Rezza Hendricks but Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram then stabilised the innings. 

The duo added 110 runs for the second wicket before Harmeet Singh removed de Kock (74 off 40) and David Miller (0) off consecutive balls in the 13th over.

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Markram also departed soon thanks to USA's breakout star Saurabh Netravalkar, who took 2/21 in four overs, as USA bowlers brought SA's run-rate in check. 

Heinrich Klaasen (36 not out off 22) and Tristan Stubbs (unbeaten 20 off 16) then added 53 runs in the last five overs as SA finished with an above-par total of 194/4 in their 20 overs.

USA next play against West Indies on June 22 while South Africa's next match is on June 21 against defending champions England.