15 June, Kathmandu. In a Group D match on Saturday, Nepal gave the Proteas a run for their money until the very last ball, but Heinrich Klaasen ran out Gulshan Jha, needing two runs from the final delivery, leaving the entire Nepali community in the stadium in agony. Nepal’s hopes of making it to the Super 8 stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 were dashed after the Asian side lost to South Africa by just one run.
While South Africa go into the Super 8 stage with an all-win record in the group stages, they will be worried about their fragile batting lineup. Had Nepal won, it would have been their first win over an ICC full member and the biggest win of their history. A win would also have kept Nepal’s hopes of qualifying for the Super 8 alive.
Throughout all four games, the South African hitters have had difficulty. It’s has to be acknowledged that hitting was not encouraged in either Kingstown or New York. Choosing to bowl first, Nepal outperformed the Proteas with a superb bowling display. They carried out their strategy to perfection.
Nepal bowlers Kushal Bhurtel (4/19) and Dipendra Singh Airee (3/21) shone with the ball, clinching seven wickets between them. Other Nepal bowlers also bowled brilliant economical spells, limiting South Africa to just 115/7 after 20 overs. South Africa’s highest scorer was opener Reeza Hendricks, who scored 43 runs off 49 deliveries. Tristan Stubbs’ 18-ball 27 not out provided the much-needed finish to the South African innings.
South African bowlers were excellent in defending the total, but Nepalese batsmen were gutsy enough to test everyone. Tabraiz Shamsi won the match with scores of 4/16 and was named Player of the Match, while Aiden Markram and pacer Anrich Nortje both took one wicket. Aasif Sheikh, Nepal’s opener, scored 42 runs off 49 deliveries, the most for his team.
