“Very grateful to have got the win, we were not near our best tonight,” a relieved South Africa captain Aiden Markram admitted after the match. “Reflecting on the game over the next few days, we will learn a lot. First and foremost, the way Nepal bowled made it tough for us. They put us under a lot of pressure.”
Nepal’s bowlers, Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee, played pivotal roles in restricting South Africa to 115 for seven. Bhurtel’s leg-breaks (4 for 19) and Airee’s off-spin (3 for 21) created a formidable challenge for the Proteas. Despite these challenges, South Africa managed to hold on, thanks partly to Anrich Nortje’s crucial wicket of Kushal Malla in the penultimate over.
Nepal’s Thrilling Chase and South Africa’s Nerve-Wracking Victory
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Nepal’s chase was led by Aasif Sheikh (42) and Anil Sah (27), who forged a 50-run partnership for the third wicket. This effort brought Nepal tantalizingly close to what would have been a stunning upset. Sheikh survived an early scare when he was dropped on one by Kagiso Rabada, but it was Tabraiz Shamsi’s return in the 18th over that turned the tide back in South Africa’s favor. Shamsi’s excellent figures of four for 19 included the key wickets of both Sah and Sheikh.
The tension peaked in the final overs, with Nepal needing just eight runs. Anrich Nortje’s dismissal of Malla tilted the balance, and South Africa’s bowlers held their nerve to eke out a win amid unbearable tension. Sandeep Lamichhane, who had been unable to play the first two matches due to visa issues, went wicketless but inspired his team with his presence.
Reeza Hendricks Leads South Africa as Bhurtel Seals Nepal’s Fate in Tense Finish
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South Africa’s innings was anchored by Reeza Hendricks, who top-scored with 43 off 49 balls. Despite Hendricks’ efforts, the top-order struggled against Nepal’s disciplined bowling. Tristan Stubbs provided a late surge with an unbeaten 27 off 18 balls, but Bhurtel closed out the innings strongly, taking the wickets of Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada in consecutive deliveries.
South Africa secured their place in the Super Eight phase of the tournament, though the narrow margin of victory. As the team reflects on this nerve-wracking match, the focus will be on learning from their close call and improving for the challenges ahead.
As Africa advances in the tournament, they will surely look back to this match and consider both the challenges they met and what they have shared with themselves. It is a reminder that no one knows the outcome of the T20 World Cup and that fans from across the globe are in for a fun time.
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