'I didn't feel anything. I was just there in the moment': Nepal captain reveals his reaction after one-run loss to South Africa in thrilling encounter

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel felt numb in the final stages of the run chase against South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 which they lost by just one run. In the last over, Nepal needed eight runs. They had a chance to take the game into super over but Gulsan Jha was caught short of the crease by Heinrich Klaasen’s throw. Paudel was proud of his side’s performance despite the defeat.
 

“The way we played today; it shows that we belong here. The way we bowled and the way we batted also, I think we belong here. This will give good confidence to us for the next game against Bangladesh,” Paudel said in the post-match press conference after Nepal’s defeat.
 

"I am very proud of the unit, especially the way they played today. The way we bowled in the first innings and the way we batted, especially in the last few moments where we could have capitalised on our side, but it went their way,” he said.

ALSO READ: Nepal give South Africa a reality check before Super 8 stage despite heartbreaking one-run defeat in T20 World Cup 2024
 

Paudel backs teammates

Nepal did not criticise his players after the one-run defeat despite being in control of the run chase going into the slog overs.
 

“I didn't feel anything. I was just there in the moment,” he said.
 

“Everyone was excited, two runs were needed in two balls. T20 is a fast game. The game shifts with two good balls or even a boundary. Being present is essential, especially in T20, because the momentum shifts a lot. 
 

“We missed nothing. We played good cricket but still we went on losing side. But overall, we played very well,” the top-order batter added. 

ALSO READ: Huge blow to Afghanistan before Super 8 clash against India; star player ruled out of T20 World Cup 2024, replacement named
 

Missed opportunity

Had Nepal beaten South Africa, they would have stayed alive in the Super 8 race. Their next game against Bangladesh would have turned into a knockout encounter.
 

“We are aware of that situation, especially if we won today's game, it would be a very clear knockout game for Bangladesh and our games. The next game, we'll play for pride. We wanted to beat a Test playing country. Eventually, it didn't happen today so we want to do that in the next game," said the 21-year-old. 
 

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