The T20 World Cup 2024 is one tournament that just keeps on giving! Asian minnows Nepal played the game of their lives against South Africa in Kingstown. The two teams locked horns for a Group D clash, which ended ever-so-close.
Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh bagged seven wickets between them, to restrict the Proteas to a 115-run total. Chasing 116, opener Aasif Sheikh played a gritty knock of 42, facing 49 balls. Tabraiz Shamsi's 4-fer meant Nepal managed to score 114, falling short of South Africa's 115.
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Chasing 117, Nepal definitely gave South Africa a run for their money. An 18-year-old Gulsan Jha was run out on the final ball of the game, as Nepal lost the game by a single run. Moreover, Nepal had just one member in squad over 30 years of age.
Here is how cricket experts and fans from all over the world reacted to Nepal's defeat against South Africa at the T20 World Cup 2024.
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How have cricket experts reacted to Nepal's performance against South Africa?
Indian commentator and broadcaster, Harsha Bhogle lauded Nepal's performance at the Arnos Vale Ground. Bhogle urged the Nepali players to walk with pride, as they almost defeated South Africa on Saturday.
Hold your heads high Nepal. That was South Africa you almost took down today. You have some of the most passionate fans and you let them believe. Hopefully bigger days are round the corner, Harsha Bhogle quoted on X.
Hold your heads high Nepal. That was South Africa you almost took down today. You have some of the most passionate fans and you let them believe. Hopefully bigger days are round the corner.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 15, 2024
Former England cricketer, Alan Wilkins heaped praises of Nepal's effort against the Proteas in T20 World Cup 2024 match. In Wilkins' eyes, Nepal enhanced their reputation to the cricketing world.
A wonderful game of cricket! A night that belonged to Nepal as they fell just short of their Cricketing Everest v South Africa. SA won by one run. Nepal have enhanced their reputation in the World of Cricket, Wilkins expressed on X.
A wonderful game of cricket!
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 15, 2024
A night that belonged to Nepal @CricketNep as they fell just short of their Cricketing Everest v South Africa.@T20WorldCup
SA won by one run.
Nepal have enhanced their reputation in the World of Cricket.
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How did fans react to Nepal's defeat to South Africa?
A fan travelled over 16000 Kms from Nepal to the Caribbean, to witness his team play live at the T20 World Cup 2024. The Nepali fans have earned their flowers too, as their team almost did the unthinkable against South Africa.
Even the fans watching the cricket from Nepal, made sure their team felt all their support. ICC Fan Park in Nepal saw fans throng the venue to cheer their team from afar.
THE CRAZE FOR NEPAL CRICKET 🫡
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 15, 2024
- A young fan travelled 16,287 KM to cheer his nation in the T20I World Cup. pic.twitter.com/pCsolO7k87
Fans watching the match in Nepal in fan parks. 🤯
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) June 15, 2024
- Nepal fans are crazy for Cricket. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/i0e27R6ihK
Fans all over the world, have been dejected over Nepal's narrow defeat against South Africa.
UNREAL JUST UNREAL!!!!
— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75) June 15, 2024
Nepal has bottled this by the barest of margins, by the barest!!! South Africa win by 1 run. 💔 pic.twitter.com/xuzsaeK1E2
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