ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Match 31: South Africa survive Nepal scare

South Africa registered their fourth consecutive win of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as they defeated Nepal by just one run in a Group D clash at the Arnos Vale Ground Kingstown, St Vincent. Asked to bat, South Africa posted a total of 115 for seven, in response, Nepal fell short by the barest of margins. 

Reeza Hendricks (43:49b, 5x4, 1x6) had a decent outing with the bat at the top for South Africa. But he didn’t get the support from the other end. The likes of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klassen and David Miller all fell early as the Proteas was left struggling at 97 for five. Tristan Stubbs (27 not out:18b, 2x4, 1x6) in the end played a vital hand and powered South Africa to a total of 115 runs. For Nepal, Kushal Burtel picked four wickets. 

Nepal was off to a great start with the bat as Kushal Bhurtel (13:21b, 1x4, 1x6) and Aasif Sheikh (42:49b, 4x4, 1x6) added 35 runs for the opening stand. But after that, Nepal kept losing wickets at regular intervals and was under pressure. Anil Sah (27:24b, 3x4, 1x6) along with Aasif fought well for the team but South Africa bowlers held their nerves well and closed the game perfectly to win by 1 run. Tabraiz Shamsi bagged four scalps. 

Match Summary

South Africa: 115-7 (20)

Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Quinton de Kock-3.4 ov), 2-68 (Aiden Markram-11.2 ov), 3-74 (Heinrich Klaasen-13.2 ov), 4-82 (Reeza Hendricks-15.3 ov), 5-97 (David Miller-17.3 ov), 6-115 (Marco Jansen-19.5 ov), 7-115 (Kagiso Rabada-19.6 ov)

Nepal: 114-7 (20)

Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Kushal Bhurtel-7.2 ov), 2-35 (Rohit Paudel-7.4 ov), 3-85 (Anil Sah-13.4 ov), 4-99 (Dipendra Singh Airee-17.3 ov), 5-100 (Aasif Sheikh-17.6 ov), 6-100 (Kushal Malla-18.2 ov), 7-114 (Gulsan Jha-19.6 ov) 

SCORECARD

Match Stats

Playing XI 

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(wicketkeeper), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi

Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(wicketkeeper), Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel(captain), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Abinash Bohara

Match Details

Toss: Nepal, elected to field 

Venue: Arnos Vale Ground Kingstown, St Vincent

Start time: 2330 hrs GMT

Match officials: Jayaraman Madanagopal, Joel Wilson (On-field Umpires); Chris Brown (TV Umpire);Sam J Nogajski (Reserve umpire); Richie Richardson (Match Referee)  

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