Nepal’s captain believes that more exposure to the world’s best teams will help them achieve better results. Nepal were on top of their small 116-run chase against South Africa until Tabraiz Shamsi returned to take two wickets in the 18th over, with Nepal needing 18 from 18. Anrich Nortje then conceded eight in the 19th over.
And Ottneil Baartman defended seven in the last over, including a tight situation in which Nepal needed two from the last ball, but they couldn’t score even one, sending the game to a Super Over.
Spinners Dipendra Singh Airee and Kushal Bhurtel scripted Nepal’s remarkable performance, taking seven wickets for 40 runs in eight overs. Sandeep Lamichhane, who was playing his first game of the T20 World Cup 2024 after missing the USA leg, bowled four economical overs for 18 runs and one boundary. In total, Nepal’s spinners bowled 14 overs for 75 runs.
Nepal’s Spin Triumph in T20 World Cup
Paudel stated during the presentation.
I am very proud of the unit, especially how we bowled and batted. We were pretty close, yet a little far. We performed admirably in critical circumstances, but our fighting style was exceptional. If we have more exposure regularly, we will be on the opposite side [of the result] in the next game.
When asked if Nepal had expected the pitch to help the spinners so much, Paudel replied:
Yes, when we viewed the wicket yesterday, we felt it would be on the slower side. When we were bowling, I thought the wicket was benefiting the spinners, so we inserted Bhurtel and continued with the spinners.
Bhurtel went 4 for 19, taking out Aiden Markram, Henrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada.
Tough Decision
South Africa used only one frontline spinner, Shamsi, who replaced Keshav Maharaj and bowled six overs of spin, two of which were by Markram. Shamsi came into the attack after seven overs, with Nepal on 34 for no loss.
Markram later said that South Africa should have chosen another spinner for a track where the ball was halting, twisting, and rebounding. Markram came on after the 13th over.
“We have a good pace attack, and you want to back that,” Markram stated during the presentation.”I wasn’t expecting it to spin so much. But the Pacers kept us in the game, and they deserve a lot of credit tonight.”
South Africa’s Slow Start in Powerplay
South Africa’s start was also not auspicious after being put into bat. They went just 38 for 1 on the powerplay and hit only two sixes in their innings. Only one batsman, Tristan Stubbs, scored at more than a run per ball, and if not for his unbeaten 27 off 18, South Africa would have finished considerably below 115. While admitting the difficult conditions, Markram commended the Nepali bowlers.
“I think it’s two things: first and foremost, the way [Nepal] bowled it made it really tough for us throughout the game,” he continued. “You must give them a lot of credit.”
South Africa finished first in Group D with four wins out of four and will be in Group 2 in the Super Eight, alongside the United States, the West Indies, and one of England and Scotland from Group B.
About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer whose love for cricket shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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