Nepal Falls Short by One Run in Nail-Biting Clash Against SA

News Desk 

Islamabad: In a heartbreaking match for Nepal and their fans in Kingstown, they fell just one run short against South Africa in a thrilling clash, leading to their elimination from Super Eight contention at the T20 World Cup 2024. 

South Africa, with a perfect group stage record of four wins, were buoyed by Tabraiz Shamsi’s impressive 4 for 19, particularly his game-changing 18th over.

Nepal seemed poised for victory for most of the game. Their spinners had effectively restricted South Africa to a modest 115 for 7 on a challenging, turning pitch. 

With the bat, Nepal appeared in control, needing just 25 runs off 30 balls with seven wickets remaining. 

However, Shamsi, replacing Keshav Maharaj, shifted the momentum with a pivotal double-wicket 18th over, including the dismissal of the well-set Aasif Sheikh (42 off 49). 

The ensuing dot balls increased the pressure, yet powerful late hits from Sompal Kami and 18-year-old Gulsan Jha kept Nepal in the hunt.

The game came down to needing two runs off the last two balls, but Ottneil Baartman delivered two dot balls, and a desperate attempt at a last-second run ended inches short, sealing Nepal’s fate.

Perhaps influenced by their earlier tournament performances, South Africa adopted a cautious approach at the beginning, missing the chance to capitalize on the best batting conditions. 

Their powerplay score of 38 for 1 was their highest of the tournament, but they often waited for loose deliveries instead of unsettling the bowlers early. 

Nepal’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines and lengths, and once the spinners took over, South Africa struggled to find their rhythm.

Sandeep Lamichhane’s first delivery spun sharply, turning past Reeza Hendricks’ defense and setting the tone for South Africa’s discomfort against spin. 

Though Lamichhane went wicketless, his economical spell, conceding just 18 runs, was significant in his first appearance of the tournament, which was also Nepal’s first game outside the USA. 

Dipendra Singh Airee (3 for 21) and Kushal Bhurtel (4 for 19) exploited the conditions effectively, accounting for all seven South African wickets.

Despite steady partnerships of 22 and 46 for the first two wickets, South Africa couldn’t accelerate. Only Tristan Stubbs, with 27 runs off 18 balls, managed a strike rate over 100.

In total, Nepal bowled 14 overs of spin, including the final over, where Bhurtel claimed two wickets for nine runs.

Nepal allowed just 58 runs in the last 10 overs for six wickets, after giving up 57 in the first 10 overs.

Additional input from ICC website.