T20 WC 2024, Match 31: South Africa win the last-ball thriller by 1 run over Nepal - Cricket Winner

The 31st match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 took place between South Africa vs Nepal at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in Trinidad on Jun 14, 07:30 PM local. South Africa registered a nail-biting last-ball win by 1 run. Tabraiz Shamsi claimed four wickets and sealed the deal for his side.

Nepal won the toss and opted to bowl first. Put into bat first, South Africa had a steady start. Their openers Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock tried to build the ship before the latter got out for 10 runs as Dipendra Singh grabbed a brilliant catch of his own bowling and removed him. Aiden Markram joined Reeza in the middle and they successfully added 48 runs before Kushal Bhurtel bowled Markram for 15 runs as well.

Kushal Bhurtel-Dipendra Singh steals the show with the ball

Meanwhile, in-form Klaasen and David Miller couldn’t contribute much as Dipendra Singh and Kushal Bhurtel brilliantly restricted them in the middle overs. On the other hand, Tristan Stubbs tried to build a partnership but didn’t get any support from the other end. He remained unbeaten on 27 off 18 with 2 fours and a six whereas Reeza Hendricks hit 43 off 49 with 5 fours and a six as well.

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Their efforts helped South Africa manage to post 115 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh did exceptionally well with the ball where Kushal claimed four wickets, and Singh scalped three and restricted the opponent to a below-par total as well.

While chasing, Nepal openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh got off to a steady start. However, Shamsi drew the first blood as he removed Kushal for 12. He also bowled Rohit Paudel for a 2-ball duck. Meanwhile, Anil Sah and Aasif Sheikh added 50 runs before Markram dismissed Sah for 27.

However, the rest of the batters couldn’t contribute much but their combined effort took the game to the final ball. While they were on the verge of winning, but a combined effort of Quinton de Kock and Klassen ran out the batter and South Africa registered a thrilling 1-run win as well. Shamsi picked up a four-wicket haul and was awarded the Player of the Match as well.

Player of the Match

Tabraiz Shamsi said: “Definitely relieved, we came here with the goal of finishing this stage 4 out of 4. Little bit closer than we’d like but the team is standing up to the pressure and that’s nice to see. Anywhere we go in the Caribbean I assume there’s going to be turn. Our fast bowlers did a great job in New York but I think it’s going to be up to the slower bowlers here. They utilized conditions beautifully, I think the wicket did get a little better later on. We’ve been under pressure in every single game but we’ve stood up to it so that’s a great thing going into the business end of the tournament.”