T20 World Cup 2024: NEP vs SA, Match 31 Highlights: Unmissable video recap, turning points, match analysis, stats, and more

South Africa Team. (Photo Source: ICC)

South Africa registered their fourth consecutive win of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday, June 15, at the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent, as they got the better of Nepal. The Aiden Markram-led side has been on a roll as they have made an impact since the start of the tournament winning all their group stage matches and convincingly qualifying for the Super Eight stage. South Africa were asked to bat first after losing the toss.

Proteas opener Quinton de Kock’s form has been on a slump since the start of the tournament. In the game against Nepal, the left-hander managed to score just 10 runs in 11 balls. While his partner, Reeza Hendricks who was also struggling with form, finally got runs off his bat and scored a valuable knock of 43 runs.

With just one wicket falling from the powerplay, South Africa’s score stood at 38/1. The star-studded middle-order of Proteas consisting of Aiden Markram (15 off 22) Heinrich Klaasen (3 off 5), and David Miller 7 off 10)  all failed to add many runs to the scorecard. 23-year-old Tristan Stubbs played a crucial cameo in the end as he scored an unbeaten 27 runs to take his side’s total to an under-par 115/7.

Only Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee were the bowlers to pick wickets from Nepal as they finished with figures of 4/19 and 3/21, respectively in their four overs.

Aiden Markram and Co have the last laugh

In the chase, Rohit Paudel-led side had a cautious start to their innings as the openers played their shots carefully in the powerplay. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh stitched a 35-run partnership. While Bhurtel was dismissed after scoring 13 runs Sheikh walked back after scoring a 49-ball 42. Nepal’s skipper had no contribution the the tally as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck.

Anil Sah smashed 27 runs off 24 balls to get the game back in Nepal’s favor. Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, and Gulsan Jha who were given the responsibility to finish the game, lost their wickets in quick succession.

With the equation coming down to eight runs required of the last overs, the Proteas skipper gave Ottneil Baartman to bowl the deciding over. The right-arm pacer successfully did his job as he conceded six runs and helped his side register a win in a closely fought contest. Tabraiz Shamsi was the best bowler for the side as he finished with the figures of 4/19 and won the Player of the Match award. South Africa will go to the next round of the tournament and contest in the Super Eight stage. On the other hand, Nepal are officially eliminated from the tournament and will play their last league game against Bangladesh.

Here are some more highlights from South Africa’s win over Nepal: