South Africa defeat USA by 18 runs in T20 World Cup
North Sound (Antigua), Jun 19: Opener Quinton de Kock hit a blazing half-century and shared a 110-run partnership with skipper Aiden Markram as South Africa defeated the USA by 18 runs in their opening T20 World Cup Super Eight (Group 2) match here on Wednesday.
De Kock smashed 74 off 40 deliveries, while Markram hit a 32-ball 46 as the Proteas made a solid 194 for 4 in 20 overs. They then restricted the USA batters to 176/6 with pacer Kagiso Rabada (3/18) doing the maximum damage.
USA's opener Andries Gous gave the Proteas the jitters with his audacious strokeplay but his unbeaten 80 off 47 balls went in vain. He was ably supported by Harmeet Singh, who contributed 38 runs.
Earlier, De Kock was brutal in his knock, hitting seven boundaries and five maximums. Heinrich Klaasen remained unbeaten on 36, while Tristan Stubbs contributed 20 as SA made a big impression in their Super Eight game.
For the USA, who chose to field, left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar and spinner Harmeet Singh took two wickets each.
Brief scores:
South Africa: 194 for 4 in 20 overs (Quinton de Kock 74, Aiden Markram 46, Heinrich Klaasen 36 not out, Tristan Stubbs 20 not out; Saurabh Netravalkar 2/21, Harmeet Singh 2/24).
USA: 176 for 6 in 20 overs (Steven Taylor 24, Andries Gous 80 not out, Harmeet Singh 38; Kagiso Rabada 3/18).
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Protesters clash with police during torch rally in Manipur
Imphal (PTI): People protesting the death of two children in a recent bomb blast in Manipur clashed with security forces during a torch rally in the state capital Imphal, police said.
Two children died in a bomb blast at Tronglaobi in Bishnupur on April 7. The Imphal Valley districts have been witnessing daily protests over the incident.
A seven-km-long torch rally was brought out from Mayai Lambi to Keishamthong in Imphal West district on Monday night, but the participants turned violent and clashed with the security forces, a police officer said.
Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells in Keishamthong area after hundreds of protesters defying curfew demanded they be allowed to proceed for another 200 metres towards Keisampat area, which is close to the Lok Bhavan and the BJP state office, he said.
ALSO READ: 5.2-magnitude quake jolts Manipur
Orders prohibiting the movement of any individuals outside their respective homes are in force in all the five valley districts from 5 pm to 5 am.
"Protesters pelted the security forces with stones and iron pellets from catapults, endangering the lives of the heavily outnumbered security forces," the officer said.
Manipur Police have, meanwhile, arrested 19 people for violating curfew and committing offences, including blocking roads and damaging public property, in the Greater Imphal area. They were nabbed from different parts of Imphal West district on Sunday, a police statement said.
In the Ukhrul district headquarters, a candlelight vigil was held on Monday night to honour the two Tangkhul Naga civilians who were killed in an ambush in TM Kasom area in the district on April 18.
Various civil society organisations from both the valley and hill areas strongly condemned the brutal killings, alleging that the victims were shot by Kuki militants using sniper rifles.
