Cricket Highlights, June 14: T20 WC 2024 (Match 31) – South Africa vs Nepal

South Africa vs Nepal (Match 31) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss the heart-wrenching match between Nepal and South Africa in Kingstown, where Nepal fell short by just one run in a thrilling, final-ball finish. The loss not only ended Nepal’s hopes for a victory but also eliminated them from contention for the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024. 

Despite a stellar bowling performance that restricted South Africa to a subpar 115 for 7, and a promising chase that had them needing 25 runs off 30 balls with seven wickets in hand, Nepal could not cross the finish line. South Africa’s Tabraiz Shamsi turned the game with a crucial 18th over, and Ottneil Baartman’s final deliveries sealed the win for his team. This match was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing both teams’ tenacity and skill under pressure.

Possibly affected by their earlier performances in the tournament, South Africa began the game cautiously and may have squandered the best batting conditions. Their powerplay score of 38 for 1 was their best of the tournament, but they often waited for loose deliveries rather than attacking early. Nepal’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, maintained tight lines and lengths, making it difficult for South Africa to score freely.

South Africa struggled to accelerate, despite steady partnerships of 22 and 46 for the first two wickets. Only Tristan Stubbs, who scored 27 off 18 balls from No. 8, managed a strike rate over 100. In total, Nepal bowled 14 overs of spin, including the final over, where Bhurtel took two wickets for nine runs, restricting South Africa to 115 for 7.

Sandeep Lamichhane’s first delivery spun sharply past Reeza Hendricks’ defense, setting the tone for the match. Although Lamichhane ended wicketless, his economical spell of 18 runs in four overs kept the pressure on South Africa. Dipendra Singh Airee (3 for 21) and Kushal Bhurtel (4 for 19) exploited the conditions brilliantly, accounting for all seven South African wickets.

For most of the match, it seemed Nepal’s to lose. Their spinners had expertly restricted South Africa to a modest 115 for 7 on a challenging, turning pitch. With the bat, Nepal had brought the equation down to needing just 25 runs off 30 balls with seven wickets in hand.

Nepal’s chase began with a stroke of luck when Kagiso Rabada dropped a catch. Taking a measured approach, Nepal finished the powerplay at 32 without losing a wicket. Shamsi’s introduction was pivotal, and in his first over, he bowled both Bhurtel and Rohit Paudel, bringing South Africa back into the game.

Shamsi, however, in for Keshav Maharaj, turned the tide with a double-wicket 18th over, including the crucial dismissal of the set Aasif Sheikh (42 off 49). A string of dot balls raised the required run rate, but late-game heroics from Sompal Kami and 18-year-old Gulsan Jha narrowed the chase to two runs needed from the last two deliveries. Ottneil Baartman then delivered two dot balls, and a frantic attempt for a single left Nepal just inches short.

Aasif Sheikh and Anil Sah then attempted to rebuild, with Sah hitting a pair of boundaries off Anrich Nortje and a six off Shamsi. Sheikh also found success against Rabada, and the duo reached a fifty partnership off just 36 deliveries. South Africa, with only one frontline spinner, had to time Shamsi’s reintroduction carefully. Aiden Markram’s part-time offbreaks broke the Sah-Sheikh stand, but Airee supported the set Sheikh.

Shamsi’s third over turned the match again. Airee’s slight edge was caught by Quinton de Kock, and Shamsi then bowled Aasif with a delivery that beat bat and pad. Nepal needed 16 off 12 balls when Shamsi finished his spell. Anrich Nortje’s penultimate over began with four consecutive dots, including one that bowled Kushal Malla. Nepal needed 16 off the final eight balls, and Kami delivered a massive 105-meter six. Jha then found a boundary over cover, making it four runs needed off three balls.

With cameras ready to capture a historic moment, Nepal ran hard for two off the next ball. However, Baartman’s expertly bowled slower bouncers on the final two deliveries were too difficult to score from. A desperate attempt for a single off the last ball led to a potential Super Over, but Jha was run out by Heinrich Klaasen, ending Nepal’s hopes and their tournament journey.

South Africa vs Nepal Scoreboard

South Africa – 115/7 (20.0)

Nepal – 114/7 (20.0)

Result – South Africa won by 1 run

Player of the match – Tabraiz Shamsi

Tabraiz Shamsi

South Africa vs Nepal Playing XIs

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