South African pace legend Dale Steyn heaped praise on Nepal following their valiant performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Proteas. Steyn even went as far as saying Nepal deserved to win the encounter, despite their heartbreaking one-run defeat. The match, played on June 14 at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent, saw Nepal fall agonisingly short while chasing a modest target of 115 runs. This loss unfortunately meant their elimination from the tournament. In a video posted by the ICC on their Instagram page, Steyn, known for his support for underdogs, revealed he was rooting for Nepal. He highlighted the emotional rollercoaster of the match, stating that such close contests truly embody the spirit of cricket, even surpassing high-scoring encounters.
Dale Steyn heaps praise on Nepal
"It was incredible to watch. I think it was the match of the tournament, to be honest with you. I'm a big underdog fan, so even being a South African, I was kind of like, 'Come on, Nepal!' You were spurring them on. But these nail-biting thrillers. I saw people crying in the stands; it shows how much it means to them, and that’s what cricket is all about. That's what cricket is all about. You know, not the two hundreds; this is what the game is about," Steyn said.
Calling the nail-biting clash between Nepal and South Africa the "Match of the Tournament" so far, commentator and former South African cricketer Dale Steyn wasn't shy about expressing his feelings. He declared Nepal the deserving victors, even in their heartbreaking one-run defeat. Steyn's statement emphasizes the sheer intensity and drama of the match, suggesting a Nepal win would have been a truly unforgettable moment in the T20 World Cup.
"It would’ve been the talk of the tournament if Nepal would’ve gotten over the line. It would’ve been fantastic, and they deserved to win," the former South African added.
Nepal surprised everyone by electing to field first after winning the toss. South Africa, perhaps a bit complacent against the underdogs, could only manage a below-par score of 115 runs in their 20 overs. Reeza Hendricks (43 runs) and Tristan Stubbs (27* runs) were the only batsmen to show some fight, while Aiden Markram (15 runs) and Quinton de Kock (10 runs) got starts but failed to convert them into big scores.
Nepal's bowling attack was on fire, with Kushal Bhurtel leading the way with a sensational spell of 4 wickets for just 19 runs in his 4 overs. Dipendra Singh Airee provided excellent support, taking 3 wickets for 21 runs, including a maiden over. Even the experienced Sandeep Lamichhane chipped in with a frugal spell, giving away only 18 runs in his 4 overs, effectively restricting the South African batsmen. Chasing a modest target of 116, Nepal looked almost certain to pull off a historic upset. Aasif Sheikh (42 runs) and Anil Sah (27 runs) batted brilliantly, keeping Nepal in the hunt. However, disaster struck in the final over. With just two runs needed for victory, Gulshan Jha was run out while attempting a risky single, handing South Africa a heart-stopping victory by a mere margin of one run. Tabraiz Shamsi, with a four-wicket haul, was the pick of the South African bowlers. Although they won, Nepal's valiant effort earned them immense respect from the cricketing world.
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