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‘Best back flick in cricket’ – Fans react as Nepal are left heartbroken after 1-run loss to South Africa

South Africa hold their nerves to eke out a one-run win over Nepal in one of the best matches of T20 World Cup 2024 in St. Vincent on Friday.

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Nepal vs South Africa (Source-ICC)

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Aiden Markram and his South African side held their nerves to win one of the best matches of the T20 World Cup on Friday. Nepal crashed out of the tournament as they lost by one-run in St. Vincent to leave Rohit Paudel and his side heartbroken. 

Needing 8 runs to win from 6 balls, Ottneil Baartman bowled two dot balls. This made it 8 runs needed off 4 balls, Gulshan Jha then hit as four and the next ball saw 2 runs being scored. 

The equation was now down to 2 runs needed off 2 balls as Baartman held his cool to bowl a dot ball. With 2 runs needed off 1 ball, Baartman bowled a dot ball with Jha running down to the bowlers end. Quinton De Kock was quick to throw the ball to the bowlers end as Heinrich Klaasen threw the ball. 

The ball deflected off Jha’s bat to hit the stumps and the batter was caught short of the crease. South Africans started to celebrate as soon as the third umpire found Jha short of his crease to signal an end to the game. 

Tabraiz Shamsi turns savior for South Africa 

Needing 116 to win, Nepal began well with Kushal Bhurtel and Asif Sheikh adding 35 runs for the first wicket. South African left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi changed the course of the game when he had Bhurtel and Rohit Paudel out in a space of 3 balls. 

The veteran spinner wasn’t done though as he also got the dangerous Dipendra Singh Airee for 6. This was soon followed by the wicket of top scorer Asif Sheikh for 42 to give South Africa the momentum they needed. 

At one stage Nepal needed 19 runs to win from 21 balls but the South African bowlers showed their experience. Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje bowled beautifully to deny the Nepal batters a chance to steal the singles with their terrific fuller length deliveries. 

Sompal Kami hit a huge six off Anrich Nortje and followed it up with 2 runs to take the match into the last over. With this win South Africa now have sealed the top spot in the Group D and knocked out Nepal.

The South African win also meant that Bangladesh have also qualified for the Super-8 stages as the second placed team in the group with one match left to play against Nepal. 

Here’s how the fans reacted 

 

T20 World Cup Nepal Cricket Team Nepal