A Single Run Denies Nepal Super Eight Spot in T20 World Cup

Nepal’s hopes of advancing to the Super Eight of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup were dashed as they lost to South Africa by a single run in a last-over thriller at the Arnos Vale Ground in the West Indies.

With everything on the line, Nepal needed just two runs off the final ball of the game. Gulshan Jha, who was at the crease, was caught short of the crease by Quinton de Kock, sealing South Africa’s narrow victory.

Earlier, Nepal’s bowlers had put up a commendable performance after sending South Africa in to bat first. The South African innings struggled to gain momentum, restricted to a modest total of 115 runs. Quinton de Kock, opening the batting, managed 10 runs off 11 balls before being dismissed by Dipendra Singh Airee in the 3.4th over. Airee also sent Reeza Hendricks, who top-scored with 43 runs, back to the pavilion in the 15.3rd over. Kushal Bhurtel was another standout bowler for Nepal, claiming four wickets for just 19 runs in his four overs. He also dismissed South African captain Aiden Markram for a 22-ball 15 and Heinrich Klaasen for three runs.

Tristan Stubbs was the only other South African to reach double figures, contributing an unbeaten 27 from 18 balls. Despite their efforts, South Africa’s batting line-up could not build significant partnerships, setting a seemingly attainable target for Nepal.

In their chase, Nepal started solidly with openers Bhurtel and Aashif Sheikh constructing a promising first-wicket stand. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Tabraiz Shamsi struck twice in the seventh over, removing Bhurtel for 13 and captain Rohit Paudel for a duck within two deliveries.

Sheikh attempted to stabilize the innings, forming a crucial half-century partnership with Anil Sah, who scored 27 runs including three boundaries and a six. However, Sah was dismissed by Aiden Markram, caught by Marco Jansen. Shamsi continued to torment the Nepali batsmen, taking key wickets including Dipendra Singh Airee (6), Aashif Sheikh (42), and Kushal Malla (1) in quick succession.

Nepal required 18 runs from the last three overs. The tension peaked as Jha missed two balls, leaving Nepal to score eight runs off the final four deliveries. Jha then hit a boundary, bringing the requirement down to two runs off two balls. A missed attempt left the equation to two runs off the last ball. In the desperate bid to secure a win, Jha was run out, ending Nepal’s innings at 114 for seven and their dreams of progressing in the World Cup.

For South Africa, Shamsi’s four-wicket haul was instrumental in their victory, supported by Markram’s single wicket. The close finish underscored the high stakes and intensity of the match, leaving Nepal with a painful exit and South Africa advancing in the tournament.