Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepal conceded a one-run defeat against South Africa in its third match of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Kingstown on Saturday.
Fielding first after winning the toss, Nepal restricted South Africa to 115 runs, thanks to some excellent spin bowling by Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee. Nepal needed two runs off the last two balls to secure its first victory over a full-member nation but managed only one.
Despite losing Quinton de Kock for 10 in the fourth over, South Africa’s other opener, Reeza Hendricks, scored 43 off 49 balls, and Captain Aiden Markram added 15 off 22 balls. Tristan Stubbs contributed a quick 27 off 18 balls to take South Africa’s total to 115.
Kushal Bhurtel was the standout bowler for Nepal. The part-time spinner took four wickets for just 19 runs in his 4-over spell, which included 12 dot balls. Airee also performed well, claiming three wickets. Sandeep Lamichhane, back in action after being acquitted of rape charges, bowled a tidy four-over spell, conceding only 18 runs.
Chasing 116 to win, Nepal added 35 runs for the first wicket. Kushal Bhurtel fell after scoring 13 off 21 balls, and Captain Rohit Paudel was out for a duck two balls later. Aasif Sheikh and Anil Sah, however, batted sensibly and took Nepal to 85 for 2. Nepal failed to steer the chase after Sah fell in the 14th over, scoring 27 off 24 balls. Airee scored six, and Aasif was bowled trying to hit a big shot on the last ball of the 18th over.
Sompal Kami and Gulshan Jha took the equation to two runs needed off the last two balls. Jha missed both balls. The Nepali batters ran to get a single off the last ball, knowing that it would take the match to a Super Over, but Jha fell short. His body language showed he could have done better.
Tabraiz Shamsi took four wickets for South Africa, while Anrich Nortje and Aiden Markram claimed a wicket each.
The loss ended Nepal’s hopes of qualifying for the Super Eight. Nepal will now play its final match of the T20 World Cup against Bangladesh on Monday.
