Legendary South African fast bowler, Dale Steyn asserted that the match between South Africa and Nepal was the match of the T20 World Cup 2024 despite being a low-scoring thriller which the Proteas won by a narrow margin of one run. Played at Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown on Saturday, the nai;0biting game kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
Chasing a modest 116 on a challenging pitch, Nepal looked comfortable at one point, needing just 18 runs from the final three overs with seven wickets remaining. However, the tide turned dramatically in the 18th over bowled by Tabraiz Shamsi. The South African spinner scalped two crucial wickets, including the dangerous Aasaif Sheikh, throwing Nepal’s chase into disarray.
With just two runs needed off the last ball, Gulshan Jha attempted a risky scamper for a bye after failing to connect with a short delivery from Ottneil Baartman. Heinrich Klaasen, displaying exceptional alertness, dislodged the bails with a quick underarm flick, securing a thrilling win for South Africa.
ALSO READ: Trent Boult Bids Farewell To T20 World Cup After New Zealand’s Exit
Despite the Proteas already securing their Super Eight spot with prior victories, Steyn admitted he was rooting for the underdogs. “It was incredible to watch. I think, honestly, the match of the tournament,” Dale Steyn said in a video analysis posted by the ICC. “I’m a big underdog fan, so even being a South African, I was kind of like, ‘Come on, Nepal,'” he confessed.
“That was incredible to watch. I think match of the tournament. I am big under dog fan. Even being South African, I was like come on Nepal. I saw people crying in the stands. It shows how much it means to people. That’s what cricket is all out, not 200. ” Dale Steyn pic.twitter.com/lHXJe4sZbm
— Samraat Maharjan (@MaharjanSamraat) June 15, 2024
Steyn highlighted the emotional intensity of the match, stating, “These nail-biting thrillers, I saw people crying in the stands, it shows how much it means to people, and that’s what cricket is all about. Not the high-scoring matches, this is what the game is about.”
ALSO READ: Anil Kumble Endorses Gautam Gambhir As India’s Next Head Coach
He further acknowledged Nepal’s valiant effort, “I think it would have been the talk of the town, the talk of the tournament, if Nepal had gotten over the line. It would have been fantastic. They almost deserve to win.”
South Africa, currently atop Group D, have progressed to the Super Eight stage. Sri Lanka and Nepal’s journeys end here, while Bangladesh and the Netherlands battle for the remaining spot. A win for Bangladesh against Nepal will seal their qualification for the next round.
