South Africa defeated United States by 18 runs in the first match of the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 stage at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, on Wednesday (today).
South Africa scored 194 runs for loss of four wickets in 20 overs. However, United States team could score 176 for loss of six wickets in stipulated twenty overs.
Earlier, USA won the toss and elected to field first.
The Proteas, led by Aiden Markram, were definitely high on confidence as they won all of their group matches.
Having played all of their matches in the USA, the Proteas were strangers to the Caribbean conditions — unlike other Super 8 sides like West Indies, Afghanistan, Australia, and England — but they read the conditions carefully and started their Super 8 campaign on a high note.
It has been a fairytale journey for the USA. They began their World Cup campaign with an emphatic win over Canada where they chased down the massive 195-run target in 17.4 overs.
They went on to upset Pakistan after a thrilling Super Over while their match against Ireland was washed out following a defeat against India.
The Proteas have remained unbeaten in the tournament so far with their bowlers doing the heavy lifting in all four games.
Co-host USA, who are an eclectic mix of eight Indians, two Pakistanis, a West Indian, one New Zealander, a South African and a Dutch, are in the midst of a dream run having qualified for the Super Eights in their debut appearance.
They have played an aggressive brand of cricket.
