In the Midst of Uncertainty, South Africa Finally Keep Their Composure

The South African cricket team, often known as the Proteas, has had a storied and complex history in the ICC Cricket World Cup. Known for their talented squads and competitive spirit, they have been a formidable force in the tournament since their debut.

A Crucial Miss and its Impact

In Kingstown, the game paused as Kagiso Rabada waited under a high top edge from Aasif Sheikh. The ball lingered in the humid air, descending slowly until it slipped through Rabada’s hands and hit the ground. Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Aasif responded immediately by smashing the next ball over cover for his first boundary, his confidence unshaken by the near-dismissal. Nepal, chasing a modest target of 116 for their maiden win over a Full Member nation, gained momentum from that slip.

This moment is significant not to single out Rabada’s error—dropped catches happen to the best—but to underscore how small incidents can pivot the course of a match. Had Rabada caught that ball, Nepal would have been reeling at 6 for 1 in the second over, facing a much tougher chase. Instead, Aasif’s continued presence allowed Nepal to navigate the Powerplay without losing any wickets, reaching 34 for 0 after seven overs—steady, if not fast, progress.

Shamsi's Impactful Return

For Tabraiz Shamsi, it felt like time had frozen since his last appearance for South Africa in December. Despite being a former No.1 T20 bowler and South Africa's leading wicket-taker in the format, Shamsi had been sidelined for the initial matches of the T20 World Cup 2024. With South Africa already secured a spot in the Super Eight, the team saw the slow pitch in Saint Vincent as a perfect opportunity to give Shamsi some game time, a decision that turned out to be a master-stroke.

Shamsi made an immediate impact. His second delivery resulted in South Africa's first wicket as Kushal Bhurtel's attempted reverse sweep missed and bowled him out. Two balls later, Shamsi's spinning delivery took out Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel for a duck, firmly placing South Africa in the driver’s seat.

Nepal’s Resilient Chase

Despite these setbacks, Aasif Sheikh kept Nepal’s hopes alive by attacking Rabada in the 13th over, hitting 13 runs and shifting the momentum. South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram admitted post-match that they misjudged the pitch conditions and should have included both spinners in their lineup. Yet, Shamsi’s performance alone nearly compensated for this oversight. He returned in the 18th over, with Nepal needing just a run per ball, and delivered a crucial double-wicket over, taking out Dipendra Singh Airee and then Aasif with his final ball, tightening South Africa’s grip on the match.

The Final Over Drama

With just 10 runs required from the last seven balls, Anrich Nortje opted for a slower delivery, which Sompal Kami seized upon, launching it into the parking lot. This reduced Nepal’s requirement to eight off the final six balls, setting the stage for a tense finish.

Ottneil Baartman, tasked with bowling the final over, had earlier successfully defended a target against Bangladesh. This time, he started strong with two dot balls. However, Gulshan Jha struck his third delivery for four, narrowing the gap further. Baartman, relying on his experience from the SA20 league, stuck to a strategy of hitting hard lengths and using the short ball effectively, leaving Nepal needing four runs from the last ball.

In the dramatic closing moments, Jha missed Baartman's last delivery and attempted to run for a desperate single. Quinton de Kock’s throw ricocheted off Jha towards Heinrich Klaasen, who swiftly completed the run-out. Markram described the chaotic ending as "funny" but was grateful for the win.

Reflecting on What Might Have Been

In the aftermath, Nepal’s captain Rohit Paudel expressed both frustration and pride. He acknowledged how close they came to a historic victory but also recognised the moments that didn’t go their way. The game underscored how narrow margins and fleeting moments can decide outcomes, leaving Nepal just short of a memorable triumph.

Ultimately, it wasn't the clock that halted Nepal’s progress, but the narrow margins that define cricket’s most thrilling contests.