SA vs NEP: Nepal falls short by just one run in last-ball thriller against South Africa in T20 World Cup 2024
In a nail-biting encounter that went down to the last ball of the inning, Nepal fell short by just one run against South Africa at the T20 World Cup 2024 match (SA vs NEP) in Kingstown. The loss shattered Nepal’s dreams of reaching the Super 8 stage, while South Africa secured a clean sweep in the group stage with 4 wins from four matches.
Nepal’s brilliant spin attack restricted South Africa to a below-par score of 115 for 7 wickets. The turning pitch in Kingstown proved tricky for the Proteas batsmen, who started their innings cautiously, possibly due to their struggles in previous matches. While their powerplay score of 38 for 1 was their best of the tournament, they failed to capitalize on loose deliveries, allowing Nepal’s bowlers to settle and control the run rate.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 schedule and fixtures
Nepal’s spin magician, Sandeep Lamichhane, started the game with a bang, his first delivery turned sharply against Reeza Hendricks. Though wicketless, his economical spell kept the pressure on. Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Bhurtel proved to be the biggest threats on the pitch, claiming 3 and 4 wickets respectively. Their accurate spin bowling exploited the conditions, dismantling the South African batting lineup.
BIGGEST HEART-BREAKING MOMENT IN NEPAL CRICKET HISTORY. 💔 pic.twitter.com/aUeJPAoBvv
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 15, 2024
Despite the spin stranglehold, South Africa tried to build partnerships. Reeza Hendricks top-scored with 43 runs, while Tristan Stubbs, coming in at number 8, provided a late spark with a quickfire 27 off just 18 balls. Nepal’s bowlers maintained control throughout the innings, conceding only 58 runs in the last 10 overs.
Nepal began their chase cautiously, reaching 32 for no loss after the powerplay. However, the introduction of Tabraiz Shamsi proved to be a turning point in the match. In his first over, he dismissed both openers, Kushal Bhurtel and skipper Rohit Paudel, bringing South Africa back into the game.
Following the early dismissals, Anil Sah and Aasif Sheikh steadied the ship. Sah took the initiative, hitting boundaries off Anrich Nortje and a six off Shamsi, igniting hope for a Nepali victory. Aasif joined the party soon after, taking Rabada for six and four, building a 50-run partnership off just 36 deliveries.
With just one frontline spinner in their ranks, South Africa relied heavily on Shamsi. After Aiden Markram dismissed Sah, Shamsi returned for his crucial 18th over. His third delivery saw the back of Dipendra Singh Airee, and his final delivery produced the biggest wicket of the match – Aasif Sheikh. This double blow left Nepal needing 16 runs off 12 deliveries.
Sompal Kami’s monstrous six over long-on gave Nepal a glimmer of hope, reducing the equation to 8 off the final over. Youngster Gulsan Jha followed with a boundary, bringing the fans to their feet. A well-run two off the next ball kept them in the hunt, but Ottneil Baartman’s expertly executed slower bouncers in the final two deliveries proved too good to handle. A desperate run for a bye on the last ball could have resulted in a Super Over, but the ball was collected by Heinrich Klaasen near the stumps, sealing Proteas victory.
The one-run defeat in SA vs NEP left Nepal heartbroken and eliminated from the tournament. However, their spirited performance against a strong South African team deserves applause. Their spinners showcased their talent, and their batsmen displayed focus in the chase. Though they fell short, this match showcased Nepal’s growing potential in the world of cricket.
