📷 Image Credits: NDTV Sports
Nepal’s hopes were dashed in a nail-biting match against South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup at the St. Vincent Stadium. The Asian side fell short by just one run, with Heinrich Klassen’s decisive run-out on the final delivery sealing the victory for South Africa. Fans were left questioning a possible umpiring error, claiming that a delivery should have been called wide.
Throughout the match, Nepal had outperformed South Africa, with their spinners dominating and restricting the Proteas to a modest total of 115/7. Despite a solid performance by Reeza Hendricks and Tristan Stubbs, Nepal’s bowlers, especially Kushal Bhurtel and Dipendra Singh Airee, were exceptional.
As Nepal began their chase, they looked well on their way to victory, managing to reach 85/2 by the 14th over. However, a brilliant spell by South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, along with a composed performance by fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman in the final overs, turned the tide in South Africa’s favor.
The tension peaked in the final over, with Nepal needing just two runs from the last ball to secure a famous win. Despite Gulsan Jha’s boundary off the third ball, Klassen’s swift run-out ended Nepal’s dreams, leaving fans heartbroken.
The match sparked a debate on social media, with fans expressing disappointment over the umpiring decisions. Many highlighted a potential wide delivery that went uncalled, leading to Nepal’s defeat.
Overall, the match between Nepal and South Africa was a rollercoaster of emotions, showcasing the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. While South Africa celebrated a hard-fought victory, Nepal’s performance and the contentious umpiring call will be remembered in T20 World Cup history.
