Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi’s four-wicket haul helped South Africa seal a dramatic one-run victory over Nepal in the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Arnos Vale Ground on Saturday.
Nepal displayed an impressive performance during the run chase, and at one point, it seemed like they would clinch a win. However, they were unlucky to concede a loss.
Kushal Bhurtel (13 runs from 21 balls, 1 four, and 1 six) and Aasif Sheikh (42 runs from 49 balls, 4 fours, and 1 six) opened for Nepal and made a 35-run partnership, giving the underdogs a comfortable start. The first wicket of the inning came in the 8th over after Shamsi removed Bhurtel. Following the dismissal, wickets began to fall, but opener Aasif Sheikh stood tall and added crucial runs to the scoreboard.
Aasif’s knock ended in the 18th over when Shamsi removed him, giving South Africa a chance to regroup. In the final over, Nepal needed eight runs with Sompal Kami and Gulsan Jha at the crease. Ottneil Baartman bowled for South Africa, and despite a four from Gulsan, Baartman delivered two consecutive dot balls, securing South Africa’s win.
Tabraiz Shamsi led the Proteas bowling attack, taking four wickets for 19 runs in his four-over spell. Anrich Nortje and Aiden Markram also picked up one wicket each. Shamsi was named Player of the Match for his exceptional performance.
Recapping the first inning, after winning the toss, Nepal sent South Africa to bat first. Despite restricting South Africa to 115/7, the decision did not favor Nepal. Reeza Hendricks (43 runs from 49 balls, 5 fours, and 1 six) and Quinton de Kock (10 runs from 11 balls, 1 four) opened for the Proteas and formed a 22-run partnership before De Kock was removed by Dipendra Singh in the fourth over.
Aiden Markram (15 runs from 22 balls, 2 fours) and Hendricks tried to build a partnership, but Kushal Bhurtel dismissed Markram in the 12th over. Heinrich Klaasen (3 runs from 5 balls) failed to make a mark, dismissed by Bhurtel in the 14th over. Dipendra Singh removed Hendricks in the 16th over, missing his half-century by seven runs, and took David Miller’s (7 runs from 10 balls) wicket in the 18th over.
Tristan Stubbs (27* runs from 18 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) and Marco Jansen (1 run from 4 balls) added crucial runs in the death overs. Bhurtel took Jansen’s wicket in the final over and stopped South Africa from hitting boundaries, dismissing Kagiso Rabada on the last ball.
Nepali bowlers performed impressively, with Kushal Bhurtel taking four wickets and Dipendra Singh picking up three. Sandeep Lamichhane, returning to the Nepal squad, bowled economically, giving up only 18 runs in his four-over spell.
Brief score: South Africa 115/7 (Reeza Hendricks 43, Tristan Stubbs 27*, Aiden Markram 15; Kushal Bhurtel 4/19) beat Nepal 114/7 (Aasif Sheikh 42, Anil Sah 27, Kushal Bhurtel 13; Tabraiz Shamsi 4/19).
