In a heart-stopping finish, South Africa managed to secure a one-run victory against Nepal in their final Group D match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St. Vincent on Friday. The Proteas, already assured of a place in the Super Eight stage, were pushed to the limit by a spirited Nepalese side that fell agonizingly short at 114 for seven while chasing a target of 116.
The match saw a thrilling finish Nepal needing eight runs off the final over to force a super over. However, Gulshan Jha ran out of the final ball while attempting a single off Ottneil Baartman, securing the win for South Africa.
South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, expressed relief and gratitude for the win, acknowledging that the team was not at their best but managed to come out on top. He emphasized that there would be significant learning from the game, particularly about the way Nepal bowled and put pressure on the Proteas.
The Nepalese bowlers, led by Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee, had restricted South Africa to a modest total of 115 for seven. Aasif Sheikh and Anil Sah featured in a crucial 50-run third-wicket partnership, which brought Nepal within striking distance of an upset win. However, Tabraiz Shamsi’s impressive four-wicket haul, including two wickets in the 18th over, and Anrich Nortje’s wicket of Kushal Malla in the 19th over ultimately tilted the balance in favor of South Africa.
The Proteas’ batting was marked by a slow start, with only opener Reeza Hendricks managing a respectable 43 off 49 balls. The rest of the top line struggled to get going, with the team being restricted to a total that was well below their potential. Tristan Stubbs’ late cameo of 27 not out off 18 balls was the only bright spot for South Africa’s batting.
Nepal’s captain, Rohit Paudel, was proud of his team’s performance, acknowledging that they had fought well and were close to pulling off an upset. He emphasized that they would learn from the experience and aim to do better in future matches.
The match was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, with South Africa ultimately emerging victorious in a thrilling encounter. The Proteas will now look to build on this win and fine-tune their performance ahead of the Super Eight stage, while Nepal will need to regroup and refocus for their remaining matches in the tournament.
After the match, both teams expressed their thoughts
- South Africa’s Captain, Aiden Markram: Markram expressed relief and gratitude for the win, acknowledging that the team was not at their best but managed to come out on top. He emphasized that there would be significant learnings from the game, particularly about the way Nepal bowled and put pressure on the Proteas.
Nepal’s Captain, Rohit Paudel:
- Paudel was proud of his team’s performance, acknowledging that they had fought well and were close to pulling off an upset. He emphasized that they would learn from the experience and aim to do better in future matches.
South Africa’s Player, Tabraiz Shamsi:
- Shamsi was awarded the player of the match for his impressive four-wicket haul, including two wickets in the 18th over. His performance was crucial in turning the match in favor of South Africa.
Nepal’s Player, Gulshan Jha:
- Jha was seen getting emotional after being run on the final ball of the match, which denied Nepal a chance to force a super over. His disappointment was palpable as he sat on the ground, his head down in disappointment.
In conclusion, the South Africa vs Nepal match in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a thrilling contest that showcased the competitive spirit of both teams. While South Africa managed to secure a one-run victory, Nepal’s performance was commendable, and they will look to build on this experience in their future matches.
