Despair for Nepal as South Africa remain unbeaten with final-ball triumph

 

Nepal knocked out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup as South Africa maintain their unbeaten status in a thriller.

Heinrich Klaasen's final-ball run-out secured a thrilling one-run victory for South Africa over Nepal at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in St Vincent on Friday, ensuring South Africa remained unbeaten and knocking Nepal out of contention for a Super Eights spot. 

Needing two runs from the last delivery to stay in the tournament, Nepal's hopes were dashed when Klaasen coolly ran out Gulsan Jha at the non-striker's end, preventing what seemed like an imminent Super Over.

Nepal had been the dominant side for much of the match. Their spinners excelled, reducing South Africa to 115/7. The Nepalese top-order looked set to chase the target, reaching 85/2 in the 14th over with the required run rate well within reach.

However, South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (4/19) shifted the momentum, and the pace duo of Anrich Nortje (1/27) and Ottneil Baartman (0/20) held their nerve in the final two overs, denying Nepal their first-ever international victory over a full ICC member side.

South Africa, though victorious, will need to step up their game for the next tournament phase, having struggled for much of the match. Reeza Hendricks (43) was the only player to spend significant time at the crease, and Tristan Stubbs (27* off 18 balls) was the sole batter with a strike rate over 100, as Nepal's spinners dominated and restricted South Africa to just over 100 runs.

Kushal Bhurtel (4/19) and Dipendra Singh Airee (3/21) shared seven wickets, setting up a promising chase for Nepal. Despite needing only eight runs from the final over, Shamsi's late spell and Klaasen's game-winning run-out ensured South Africa's narrow victory. 

Gulsan Jha found the boundary on the third ball of the final over, but Klaasen's decisive play sealed the win for South Africa.

Teams:

South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Anrich Nortje

Nepal: Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel (c), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sompal Kami, Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Abinash Bohara

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