T20 World Cup 2024: South Africa Hold Their Nerve To Avoid Major Upset Against Nepal

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South Africa held their nerve and avoided a major upset after a 1-run win over minnows Nepal in a Group D match of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday (June 15) at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.

Chasing 116, Nepal came agonisingly close as a last-ball run out saw the Asian side fall one run short of the target with Otneil Baartman bowling the crucial final over for the Proteas, who finished the group stage unbeaten.

Aasif Sheikh (42 off 49 balls) and Anil Shah (27 off 24 balls) had put Nepal in the driver's seat, but the eventual player of the match Tabraiz Shamsi (4/19) brought South Africa back into the contest, claiming 4 wickets.

From 85 for 2, Nepal collapsed to 100 for 6 after a 50-run stand between Shah and Sheikh was ended by skipper Aiden Markram. The dismissal of Shah led to a mini procession as Shamsi removed Sheikh and Dipendra Singh Airee in quick succession.

Anrich Nortje then struck for the first time in the 19th over, castling Kushal Malla. However, Sompal Kami and Gulshan Jha had given some hope in the final over until the latter fell short of the crease when trying to run for a bye off the last delivery.

Quinton de Kock's throw at the non-striker's end deflected off Jha to Heinrich Klaasen, who hit the stumps to execute the run out as Nepal's chances of a Super 8 ended with the narrowest of defeats. Nortje and Markram also took a wicket each to restrict Nepal at 114/7.

Earlier, a disciplined bowling performance had helped Nepal restrict South Africa to 115/7. Dipendra Singh Airee (3/21) was the pick of the bowlers for Nepal with three wickets, while Kushal Bhurtel (4/19) collected four wickets.

Opener Reeza Hendricks top-scored for the Proteas with a steady 43 at the top of the order, while Tristan Stubbs added an unbeaten 27 to take the team past 100.