At the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent on Saturday, June 15, South Africa defeated Nepal to record their fourth straight victory of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Since the beginning of the competition, the team captained by Aiden Markram has been dominant, winning every group stage match and easily advancing to the Super Eight round. Following their loss of the toss, South Africa was instructed to bat first.
Quinton de Kock, the Proteas opener, has struggled with his form since the competition began. The left-hander only scored 10 runs in 11 balls during the match against Nepal. Reeza Hendricks, his partner and someone who was also having form issues, was able to eventually get runs off his bat and score a crucial 43 runs.
South Africa was up 38/1 after just one wicket fell during the powerplay. The Proteas middle order, which had stars like David Miller (7 off 10), Heinrich Klaasen (3 off 5), and Aiden Markram (15 off 22), struggled to contribute many runs to the total. Tristan Stubbs, 23, made a vital late-inning cameo, scoring an undefeated 27 runs to reduce his team’s total to a below-average 115/7.
With scores of 4/19 and 3/21, respectively, in their four overs, Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee were the only bowlers from Nepal to claim wickets.
The last laugh goes to Aiden Markram and company.
The team lead by Rohit Paudel began the chase cautiously as the openers executed their shots well in the powerplay. Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh, the openers, forged a 35-run partnership. While Sheikh scored 42 off 49 balls and was removed after Bhurtel was dismissed after 13 runs. The captain of Nepal was out for a two-ball duck, thus he did not add to the total.
Anil Sah turned reversed the tide of the match with a brilliant 27 runs off of 24 balls. The three players who were supposed to win the match—Dipsendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, and Gulsan Jha—all lost wickets quickly after.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: South Africa vs Nepal, 31st Match – Who Said What?
Ottneil Baartman was given the final over to bowl by the Proteas captain, with eight runs needed in the final overs of the game. In a fiercely contested game, the right-arm pacer did his job well, giving up six runs while assisting his team in winning. With a final stat line of 4/19 and the Player of the Match award, Tabraiz Shamsi was the most effective bowler on the team. South Africa will compete in the Super Eight stage of the competition and advance to the next round. However, Nepal will face Bangladesh in their last league match after being officially eliminated from the competition.
Here are some more highlights from South Africa’s win over Nepal:
Hold your heads high Nepal. That was South Africa you almost took down today. You have some of the most passionate fans and you let them believe. Hopefully bigger days are round the corner.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 15, 2024
Nepal failed to create history by the bat and the crease distance.. few inches. #SAVNEP pic.twitter.com/vivIo5uf50
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) June 15, 2024
South Africa won by 1 run against Nepal. 💔
Well played Nepal. #SAvsNEP pic.twitter.com/Uy5UWVv9F4
— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888) June 15, 2024
Such pathetic running from Gulshan Jha, Nepal needed 2 off 1 ball and he missed the ball and then stopped for a moment before completing single and got out!!
What a comeback from South Africa, at one moment Nepal needed 31 off 35 balls with 8 wickets in hand and they won it from… pic.twitter.com/ysZtZFcHSN
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) June 15, 2024
Let’s chase this boys.
Come on Nepal
👏🏻👏🏻🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/99Q13ok9OU— Paras Khadka (@paras77) June 15, 2024
What a game! Nepal losing by the barest of margins, a run! Well played boys nevertheless #NepalvsSA https://t.co/RtdDC0GZaf
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 15, 2024
The world is absolutely proud of the fight, @CricketNep 🇳🇵👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/5Da3giRQeT
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 15, 2024
Nepal are climbing their
Cricket Everest here in Saint Vincent!
Watch it now!
They are making taking this match away from South Africa!@T20WorldCup @CricketNep— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 15, 2024
Nepal came so close but South Africa win by 1 run… what a game 🔥 #T20WorldCup
— Kass Naidoo (@KassNaidoo) June 15, 2024
Good Morning South Africa.
Yes, South Africa have gone 4/4 at the #T20WorldCup. Yes, they needed a run-out off the last ball to avoid a Super Over against Nepal. Yes, they very nearly lost to Nepal. Of all the things… #cricket— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) June 15, 2024
Nepal ab Mere 🔔 kay sath wapis ghar ayega 😁 pic.twitter.com/AS2fVr46tr
— Qamar Raza (@Rizzvi73) June 15, 2024
UNREAL JUST UNREAL!!!!
Nepal has bottled this by the barest of margins, by the barest!!! South Africa win by 1 run. 💔 pic.twitter.com/xuzsaeK1E2
— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75) June 15, 2024
THE HEARTBREAKING MOMENT FOR NEPAL.👑
– A defeat by just 1 run! 🥹💔#Markram #Nepal #T20WorldCup #SouthAfrica #ByeBye#Qudrat #Melodi pic.twitter.com/Z3lcSnXLtH
— Ali💫 (@ImAquibAli) June 15, 2024
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