NEWS
Follow UsSouth Africa escaped with a one-run victory over Nepal in the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 14 (Friday) and, as a result, go into the Super Eights unbeaten. Nepal, on the other hand, are out of the tournament.
South Africa skipper Aiden Markram admitted that they were nowhere near their best in the game and lauded Nepal for putting his team under pressure.
"Very grateful to have got the win. Don't think we were anywhere near our best tonight. For large parts, don’t think we thought we’d be on the right side of that as well. Lot of learnings for us," Markram said at the post-match presentation.
"They [Nepal] bowled really well and made it tough for us. They put us under a lot of pressure and it shows the quality they have. Mix that with a lack of conviction in our dressing room, so there’s a lot of learnings for us," he further added.
With spin on offer right from the start, Markram admits he should have played both his spinners. Tabraiz Shamsi finished with 4/19, which tilted the game in South Africa's favour, but along with Keshav Maharaj, the Proteas could have been deadlier.
"No injury to Keshav. Shamsi hadn’t played in a while, thought this was a great opportunity to get him some game time. In hindsight, we should’ve played both spinners," he said.
Nepal went from 99/3 to 100/6 in the blink of an eye, and skipper Rohit Paudel laments not winning those crunch moments. "We were so close yet a little far. We didn't do well in the crunch moments, but we fought very well. Well be on the other side next time if we play teams like this more often," Paudel said.
While the fast bowlers delivered for South Africa in New York, Player of the Match Shamsi feels that it is the spinners' job to do the job in the Caribbean.
"Anywhere we go in the Caribbean, I assume there’s going to be turn. Our fast bowlers did a great job in New York but I think it’s going to be up to the slower bowlers here," he said.
The wrist-spinner also lauded Nepal for the fight they put up. "They utilised conditions beautifully, I think the wicket did get a little better later on. We’ve been under pressure in every single game but we’ve stood up to it so that’s a great thing going into the business end of the tournament," Shamsi concluded.
While South Africa are done with their first-round matches, Nepal have one more to play before they head home. They will be up against Bangladesh in St Vincent on June 16 (Sunday). South Africa, on the other hand, will begin their Super Eights campaign against the US on June 19 (Wednesday) in Antigua.
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