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| Kushal Bhurtel couldn't connect with his reverse sweep, Jun 14, 2024, ICC/Getty Images |
South Africa secured a dramatic one-run victory in opposition to a lively Nepal side in a low-scoring stumble upon at the T20 World Cup, finishing their institution degree marketing campaign undefeated.
Nepal, who gained the toss and elected to bowl first, confined the Proteas to a modest overall of 114/7 of their 20 overs. The spin duo of Kushal Bhurtel (4/19) and Dipendra Singh Airee (3/21) had been the stars of the show, picking up a combined seven wickets to preserve the South African batsmen in test.
Nepal's chase commenced brightly, with opener Aasif Sheikh leading the way with a nicely-constructed forty two runs off 49 deliveries. The powerplay yielded 32 runs with none loss, raising hopes for an disenchanted. However, the advent of Tabraiz Shamsi within the eighth over proved decisive. Shamsi, playing his first suit of the match, picked up two critical wickets – Bhurtel and Rohit Paudel – in his first over, halting Nepal's momentum.
Despite losing his mate, Sheikh persevered to fight along Anil Sah (27 off 24), including a important 50-run partnership for the 1/3 wicket. However, with simply 31 runs required, Sah threw his wicket away at the same time as trying a large shot off Aiden Markram, transferring the stability back in the direction of South Africa.
The drama intensified inside the very last overs. Aasif's dismissal by means of Shamsi inside the 18th over left Nepal wanting 16 runs from the ultimate . Sompal Kami supplied a glimmer of hope with a six inside the penultimate over, accompanied by means of a boundary from Gulshan Jha within the very last over, leaving Nepal desiring just one run from the remaining ball.
However, South Africa held their nerve. Ottniel Baartman achieved his plans flawlessly inside the final deliveries, and a dramatic run-out at the final ball sealed the win for the Proteas with the aid of the narrowest of margins.
Tabraiz Shamsi, together with his figures of 4/19, emerged as the hero for South Africa. Aiden Markram (1/8) and Anrich Nortje (1/27) chipped in with critical wickets, whilst Marco Jansen (zero/16) and Ottniel Baartman (0/20) bowled economically to shield the low total.
This thrilling victory sends South Africa into the Super 8 degree on a excessive, even as Nepal's valiant attempt ends their World Cup adventure.