2024 T20 World Cup: South Africa Defeats Nepal in Thriller

In a low thrilling match of the 2024 T20 World Cup between South Africa and Nepal at the Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent. South Africa defeated Nepal by one run.

Nepal appeared to be on course to chase the 116-run total that South Africa had set, but the Proteas secured fast wickets in the closing stages to halt the run flow and win.

At one point, Aasif Sheikh and AK Sah combined for 50 runs in 36 balls to take the third wicket, and Nepal was up 85-2.

South Africa was topped by Tabraiz Shamsi, who scored 4-19 in four overs.

With eight runs needed to win, Ottneil Baartman was put in to bowl the last over. Baartman maintained composure to end the over with two dot balls after giving up a four on the third ball.

On the last delivery of the last over, two runs were required. As Gulsan Jha attempted to run the ball past the keeper, Baartman struck a short ball, but he was unable to make contact with the bat. As Sompal Kami rushed across, wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock attempted to go for the bowler’s end, but the ball struck Jha’s back and deflected into cover. The batter was caught short by a yard when Klassen took up the ball and under-armed the flip onto the stumps at the bowler’s end. South Africa captain Markram said after the match:

“Very grateful to have got the win, we were not near our best tonight. Reflecting back on the game over the next few days, there will be a lot of learnings for us. We have a good pace attack and you want to back that. I thought if we got the ball in the right areas, it would be challenging for the batters.”

“Moving forward some things may change. It’s one of the big challenges of cricket, being open-minded and adapting,” he added.

Nepal won the toss and asked the South African team to bat first.

Batting first, South Africa was restricted to 115-7 in 20 overs after a clinical bowling display by Nepal.

Reeza Hendricks, the opener, was South Africa’s leading run-scorer with 43 runs in 49 balls. In 18 balls, Tristan Stubbs scored an undefeated 27 runs.

With statistics of 4-19 in three overs, Kushal Bhurtel was Nepal’s best bowler. In the meantime, Dipendra Singh Airee held South Africa in check with a 3-21 score.

The Proteas have won four straight games, which has already guaranteed them a spot in the Super 8. After three games, Nepal has yet to record a victory.

2024 T20 World Cup SA and NEP Teams:

South Africa Playing XI:

Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Nepal Playing XI:

Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(w), Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel(c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Abinash Bohara