Welcome to the Super 8s! Cricket gets hotter from here. South Africa, West Indies, USA and England in one group. India, Australia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the other group. Each team plays a game against each other in their own group and the top two from both sides get to the knockouts. The format is simple but what's amazing is the story of USA. It started well for them on June 1 against Canada but the real statement was made on June 6 against Pakistan where they were simply outstanding and made people think, hang on they actually don't look like real newbies. Pakistan, the runners up last-time, were stunned in the Super Over and the name Saurabh Netravalkar started doing the rounds after his heroics. And here they are, not just qualifying to the next round of this event, but also booking their place for the next T20 World Cup in India in 2026. They have a stiff task at hand now with giants in their group. Can USA continue to pull off more surprises?*
Toss Update -
United States have won the toss and have opted to field
Pitch Report -
67m and 61m square boundaries and 74m straight down the ground. Wind is coming across the ground so it will assist hitting to the short boundary," says Shaun Pollock. Waqar Younis adds "It doesn't give a really good look. Games played here have been low scoring. Pacers have to stay back of a length because you get some extra bounce as well.
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Predict the correct score of SA?
Winner gets 500 sats.
De kock and Miller both are out of consecutive deliveries.
Is this a come back from USA?
@carlosfandango Klassen is getting a big look in almost 8 overs now.
SA's Final score is 194/4
USA?
SA
28 runs needed in 12 balls now. USA have turned it upside down ...
41 in 15 balls now...
United States need 50 runs in 18 balls. Still very gettable!!
60 runs needed off the last four overs. This is not going to be easy...
USA still have some gas left in the tank! Nortje has been taken for cleaners. Harmeet and Gous are playing some exceptional shots.
USA need 62 runs in 27 balls
It's getting difficult for USA now! They have lost their 5th wicket now.
United States need 119 runs in 54 balls
Required rate is climbing up. USA need a big over to cool it down a bit.
Can Anderson play the 'big show' today?
United States need 135 runs in 72 balls
Nooooo! This won't help US! They have lost the third wicket as well.
USA have lost their second wicket at the score of 53 in 5.3 overs!
Scoring rate is good but US need to keep their cool.
USA have lost their first wicket. Taylor is out. USA are 33/1 in 3.3 overs
USA are playing so good so far. 28/0 after 2.4 overs.
USA have started with a band. A Four on the first ball.
Enough of low scoring games in this edition. Not going to lie, we enjoyed those as well, but let's get back to what T20 is all about.
Stubbs and Klassen both have capability to play so aggressively. I'm eying at +210 now.
Markram walks back now after making a good 46 runs.
Can they reach 200? If Klassen gets going then only..
SA is 101/1 after 10 overs.
De kock is playing at a great strike rate. 35 in only 14 balls. What an innings so far!!
Whoa! De kock has launched a series of sixes. SA are flying.
SA are 45/1 after 4 overs.
SA loses their first wicket early. Hendricks gone after making 11 runs.