South Africa vs Nepal ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 Full Scorecard

OUT! RUN-OUT! SOUTH AFRICA HOLD THEIR NERVE! AGONY FOR NEPAL! They have fallen short by just one run. Ottneil Baartman bowls it short again, around off. Jha plays and misses again. The batters look to scamper for a bye as de Kock throws it at the bowler's end but the ball hits the back of Jhas. Heinrich Klaasen collects it quickly and knocks down the stumps. Gulshan Jha is short of his crease and Nepal fails to get over the line. Soo close and yet so far for Nepal.

What happened here? Drama right at the death, wow! That could probably be the most heartbreaking way for Nepal to lose the game. De Kock's throw ricocheted off the batter but Heinrich Klaasen was right there and he flicked the ball onto the stumps at the bowler's end. The replays show that Gulshan Jha was just short of his crease and OUT comes up on the big screen. Even if Klaasen had missed, South Africa might have appealed for obstruction of field as well given Jha ran straight down the middle of the pitch.

2 required off the final ball! Are we heading into a Super Over?

A precious dot from Ottneil Baartman. Bowls it short of a length, angling away from the batter. Gulshan Jha looks to play the upper cut but does not connect.

Hard-length, outside off. Gulshan Jha clears the front leg and slaps it to deep extra cover for a couple.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Gulshan Jha connects and gets a boundary. Full-length delivery outside off. Jah swings hard and smacks it toward the deep cover region for a cracking boundary. Nepal are just a hit away from a historic win.

An excellent wide yorker from Ottneil Baartman. Gulshan Jha looks to squirt it away but misses again.

On a good length, angling across the batter. Gulshan Jha plays and misses.

Full and straight at the stumps. Kami makes room and drills it toward the deep extra cover region for a couple.

SIX! OUT OF THE PARK! A massive hit and Sompal Kami keeps Nepal alive in the chase. Slower length ball, angling into the middle and off. Sompal Kami picks the bones out of it and smokes it hard over the deep square leg boundary for a 105 meter hit.

Back of a length, outside off. Kami plays and misses.

Pitched full, on off. Kami drives it to the man at short cover.

A bit of a hold-up in the play now. The middle stump seems to have been shattered here and needs a bit of repairing. All good now and Sompal Kami comes in to face the next delivery.

OUT! TIMBER! Another one bites the dust and Nepal are faltering in the run-chase. This was on a hard-length, on the middle and off-stump line. Kushal Malla goes for a wild pull across the line and misses it completely. The ball clatters into the stumps and the sixth Nepal wicket is back in the pavilion.

Back of a length, on off. Malla mistimes the pull to mid-wicket.

Gulshan Jha walks in at 7.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Tabraiz Shamsi gets his fourth wicket and probably the most important one of his spell. This was tossed up on the middle and spun back into the stumps. Aasif Sheikh plays all around it and the ball clatters into the stumps. The set batter Aasif Sheikh is back in the hut as Nepal have lost half their side.

Flatter, turning on the middle and leg. Aasif Sheikh goes back to nudge it away but misses and wears on the pad.

Flighted on the pad. Malla nudges it through square leg for a single. 100 is up for Nepal.

Kushal Malla walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Bowls it flat and spins it down the leg. Dipendra Singh Airee gets across the line to sweep this away but gets a faint edge on the glove. Quinton de Kock takes a sharp catch and is given by the on-field umpire. Dipendra Singh Airee goes for the review. The replays show a clear spike on the glove and Airee is a goner. Nepal lose their fourth!

Floated on off. Aasif Sheikh skips down the pitch and drills it to long on for a single.

Flat and turning back into the batter. Aasif Sheikh goes back and blocks into the leg side.

Three dots to end the over! Low full toss, angling across the batter. Dipendra Singh Airee swings and misses. Nepal needs 18 off the last three overs.

Yorker on the middle and leg. Dipendra Singh Airee keeps it out and turns it toward short mid-wicket.

Short of a length, angling across. Dipendra Singh Airee looks to guide it down to third man region but does not connect.

Full-length, on off. Aasif Sheikh drives it to deep point for a single.

Full on the leg peg. Dipendra Singh Airee looks to play through the on-side but gets a leading edge that lands toward mid-on for a run.

Pitched full, at the stumps. Aasif Sheikh pushes it toward mid-off and scampers for a quick single.

Drifted down the leg. Aasif Sheikh nudges it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Flat and turns into the middle and leg. Aasif Sheikh goes back and tucks it toward the mid-wicket region. David Miller runs to his left and makes a brilliant stop.

Tad short, turning down the leg. Dipendra Singh Airee stays back and pulls it toward deep backward square leg for a single.

Fired in at the middle and leg. Aasif Sheikh eases it to long-on for one.

Full on the middle and leg. Aasif Sheikh sweeps it to the man at mid-wicket.

Flatter, just outside off. Dipendra Singh Airee guides it toward backward point for one.

Slightly back of a length and outside off, Aasif Sheikh stays back to cut but ends up chopping the ball down towards backward point.

On a hard length now and angled into the legs, Dipendra Singh Airee tucks it away around the corner and gets across for another single.

Quick single! Good length around off stump, punched away in front of covers for a single, good running.

Excellent effort in the deep! Attempted short ball, staying low, it was actually the knuckle-ball. Aasif Sheikh pulls it off the inner half of the bat between deep square leg and fine leg. Tristan Stubbs runs to his right from the square leg fence and dives in to save a couple of runs.

Good length but this is angled into the pads, Dipendra Singh Airee flicks the ball down to fine leg and picks up a single.

On a fuller length and around off stump, sliding through, Dipendra Singh Airee stays back and pats the ball away to backward point.

Fractionally short around middle and turning in, Aasif Sheikh presses back and plays it toward mid-wicket.

Slightly short and on off, Dipendra Singh Airee works it off the back foot in front of square on the leg side and picks up a single.

Dipendra Singh Airee is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Is that the wicket that changes the game? Only time will tell. Aiden Markram floats the ball up a bit fuller and pushes it a bit wider of the off stump as well. Anil Sah reaches out and looks to thump it over long on but gets it quite height without any real timing. Marco Jansen comes in from the deep and slides forward to reverse-cup is nicely.

A bit shorter and turning into the pads, Aasif Sheikh stays back and tucks it away behind square leg for one. Aasif Sheikh wants two but is sent back by his partner.

Dragged well short on the pads, flicked away around the corner for one more.

Starts on the shorter side, angling it in from outside off, Aasif Sheikh rocks back and punches it through covers for a single.

Pitched up at the stumps, pushed away on the stumps and down to long on for a single. 34 needed now off 42 balls.

SIX! Wow, that is probably the shot of the match and that's gone out of the park. Banged in short and at the body, doesn't get it high enough and Aasif Sheikh is all over it. Sheikh smashes the pull over deep square leg and picks up a 98-meter biggie. Nepal doing it in style at the moment.

Good length around off, tapped away onto the off side.

High up in the air and well over the infield as well. A bit slower and pitched up on the stumps, Anil Sah is early into the lofted drive and ends up skiing it high over mid on. Aiden Markram runs back but the ball lands well out of his reach. A single taken.

On a good length and around the pads, nudged away past square leg for a single.

FOUR! Oh, dear! That is a costly fumble in the deep from Tristan Stubbs. Banged in short over middle stump, Aasif Sheikh gets on top of the bounce and pulls it along the ground to the left of deep square leg where Stubbs overruns the ball and lets it through for a boundary.

Floated up full on the off stump, Anil Sah brings out the reverse sweep but can't get it past a diving Anrich Nortje at short third man.

Tossed up full and outside off stump, Anil Sah drives it away firmly and wide of the man at sweeper covers for a couple of easy runs.

Bowled flatter and around leg stump, this one stays low and Anil Sah manages to keep it out on the leg side.

Flaoted up a bit full and around off stump, Anil Sah looks to go after it and swings across the line but misses.

SIX! Just past the fielder and over the fence, top shot from Anil Sah. Tossed up full and outside off stump, Sah reaches out, gets on one knee and slaps it flat and wide of Kagiso Rabada at wide long off for a maximum. Rabada covers good ground to his left but seems to slow down at the last moment and ends up not being able to quite reach it.

Floated up full and turning it in from around off, Aasif Sheikh makes room and goes into-out lofting it down to long off for a single.

A single to end but 12 runs come off it and that's just what Nepal needed after the break. Just back of a length over middle and rushing the batter. Aasif Sheikh mistimes the pull badly and just in front of square leg for a run.

WIDE! A steep bumper this over off and middle stump at 143 clicks, Aasif Sheikh ducks under it and it is called a wide.

Back of a length again around off, hitting the deck hard, Anil Sah lets the ball come on and just angles it down to third man for a run.

Back of a length this time and over the stumps, Anil Sah nudges it down on the leg side and looks for one but won't get it.

FOUR! What a shot! Full and quick at almost 145 clicks around middle and leg, Anil Sah holds his shape and just flicks it easily over the mid-wicket region for another boundary.

Bangs this one into the deck around off, trying to angle it in, Anil Sah bends his back and looks to ramp it away but misses.

WIDE! Slower delivery, angled down the leg side for a wide.

FOUR! Valiant effort from Tabraiz Shamsi in the deep but in vain. Just short of a length but outside off, Anil Sah stands upright and plays it late, slapping it wide of third man for a boundary.

Drinks break! Well then, Nepal seemed to be a decent job with the bat and remained unscathed in the Powerplay. However, that double breakthrough from Tabraiz Shamsi has brought South Africa right back in the contest and on this deck, it won't easy scoring runs at around 7 runs per over. Nepal do have wickets in hand and Aasif Sheikh has been out there from the beginning and will be expected to kick on from here. Let's see how the chase unfolds.

Flatter and at the pads. Anil Sah whips it behind square on the on-side for a single.

Flighted, full, and turning into middle and leg. Aasif Sheikh prods and turns it toward short leg for a single.

Tossed up on middle and leg. Anil Sah slogs it toward wide long-on for one.

Flat and turning outside leg. Anil Sah makes room and blocks into the leg side.

Very full, at the stumps. Aasif Sheikh gets low and manages to get some bat on it. Sweeps it through backward square leg for one.

Flighted, full, around off. Anil Sah drills it to long-off for a single.

WIDE! Flat and turning down the leg. Anil Sah lets it pass. Wided.

Bangs it short, around the middle and leg stump line. Aasif Sheikh ducks under it and lets it go.

WIDE! Low full toss slanting down the leg. Aasif Sheikh plays and misses. Wide signaled by the umpire.

LEG BYE! Short of a length, angling down the leg. Anil Sah is rushed on the pull and it goes off the body, toward backward square leg.

Slower length ball, just outside off. Anil Sah pulls and misses. This one keeps a tad low and Sah is deceived by the change of pace.

Hard-length, on the leg peg. Sah blocks it to short mid-wicket.

FOUR! PUT AWAY! Short of a length, angling into the middle and leg. Anil Sah hangs back and half pulls it uppishly toward deep mid-wicket region. A couple of bounces and it rolls into the boundary.

Short of a length, on off. Anil Sah gets on his toe and blocks it to backward point.

Drifted on the pad. Sah nudges it through square leg for a single.

Flighted on off. Anil Sah pushes it back at Shamsi.

Anil Sah is in at 4.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Tabraiz Shamsi gets two in the over and he is pumped. South Africa are right back in the game. Shamsi bowls it slower through the air, just outside off, and spins it back sharply into the off-stump line. Rohit Paudel goes for the expansive drive and gets foxed by the spin. Nepal lose their second!

Flighted, full, on the middle and leg. Paudel comes forward and nudges into the leg side.

Skipper, Rohit Paudel walks in at 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Tabraiz Shamsi strikes off his second delivery. Tosses it full, at the off-stump line. Kushal Bhurtel goes for the reverse sweep but misses completely and the ball cannons into the stumps. Shamsi is delighted as South Africa draw first blood.

Shamsi begins with a floated delivery, outside off. Aasif Sheikh sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bangs it short again, on off. Aasif Sheikh is rushed on the pull and the ball goes off the glove and lobs over the keeper, rolls to fine third man for a single.

Short and into the pitch. Aasif Sheikh slashes hard for the cut but does not connect.

Pace-off, goes full, at the stumps. Aasif Sheikh stays in the crease and defends into the on-side.

Hard-length, outside off. Aasif Sheikh chops it into covers.

Back of a length again, around off. Kushal Bhurtel drops it toward backward point for one.

Norjte bowls it back of a length, just outside off. Kushal Bhurtel gets across to play the ramp but does not connect.

Hard-length, angling into the middle and leg. Kushal Bhurtel tucks it toward short mid-wicket for a quick single.

Length ball, goes over the off-stump. Kushal Bhurtel skips down the pitch, makes room for the slap, and fails to connect.

LEG BYE! Hard-length delivery, angling in on off. Aasif Sheikh misses the pull and the ball rolls off the thigh pad toward deep third for an extra.

Back of a length, around off. Aasif Sheikh gets on his toes and punches into covers.

FOUR! Easy Pickings! Bowls it on the leg. Aasif Sheikh flicks it with authority toward the long-leg region for a boundary.

Baartman goes short, angling into the middle and leg stump line. Aasif Sheikh goes for the pull but fails to connect.

On a good length around leg stump, a bit slower and shooting off the deck, Kushal Bhurtel stays watchful and plays it towards cover.

Shorter one around the hips, Aasif Sheikh swivels and manages to flick it a bit uppishly down to fine leg for a single.

Leg bye! On the shorter side and over middle and leg, Kushal Bhurtel is hurried on the pull and the ball goes off his body dropping on the leg side. They scvamper through for a leg bye.

Back of a length and over off stump, Kushal Bhurtel lets the ball come on and nudges it down to the right of gully where Heinrich Klaasen makes a sharp stop.

Short of a good length and on a right line around off stump, Kushal Bhurtel dabs the ball down but can't get it past the man at backward point.

FOUR BYES! Oh, that's gone through! Marco Jansen hits the deck hard bowling it around off, this one keeps going across after pitching and dies on its way to the keeper as well. Quinton de Kock dives to his right but is beaten and the ball runs away to the fence.

Just back of a length and in the channel around off, Aasif Sheikh stands tall and jams the ball away in front of point.

Good comeback from Ottneil Baartman. Bowled a touch fuller and this one nips away a long way after hitting the deck. Aasif Sheikh swings and misses,

FOUR! Wow, a fine shot out of nowhere once again. Good length around the top of off stump, Aasif Sheikh swivels on his toes and just picks up the ball, whipping it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

On the fuller side around off and nipping away quite a fair bit, Aasif Sheikh swings but misses the ball by a distance.

A bit shorter and at the legs, Aasif Sheikh looks to take it on but gets tangled up and the ball lobs up off the pads on the leg side.

Half an appeal for LBW but turned down. Pitched up on the stumps first up and angling back in a fair bit. Aasif Sheikh looks to play with a straight bat but misses and gets thudded on the pads.

SIX! Wow, that is some shot from Kushal Bhurtel. Dug in a bit short and over the stumps, Burtel shuffles across to the off side and flicks it away over short fine leg and travels all the way for a maximum.

Good length over middle and just nipping away, Kushal Bhurtel looks to make room and play at it but the ball zips past the outside edge. Five dots in the over so far!

Oh, that was steep bounce and that is an unreal take from Quinton de Kock behind the stumps. Marco Jansen just strolls in and bangs it in short and quick over the stumps, Kushal Bhurtel is early to back away but the ball just takes off after hitting the deck and de Kock leaps up, grabbing it with the right glove.

Pitched up on the stumps, Kushal Bhurtel tentatively plays it away.

And again! A replica of the previous delivery as Kushal Bhurtel is beaten past the inside edge once again. Touch full and around off, nipping back in and beating the stumps.

Beauty! A touch full and on off stump, nipping back in off the deck, Kushal Bhurtel is caught on the crease and the ball beats the inside edge going just over the stumps.

FOUR! Adding insult to injury! Short of a length and outside off, Aasif Sheikh reaches out and slashes the ball up and over the point region for a boundary.

DROPPED! Oh, dear! Kagiso Rabada has made a meal off an absolute sitter of a catch and Aasif Sheikh is let off the hook here. Pitched up now and around off, Aasif Sheikh just throws his hands at it and ends up miscuing the ball straight up in the air. Rabada settles himself under it but the ball moves a bit and the ball goes straight through the hands.

Four dots on the trot now! On a good length and outside off, moving away a lot and bouncing a bit extra as well. Aasif Sheikh looks to back away and open up the off side but misses.

Lovely shape on that one! Just short of a good length on off stump and shaping away off the deck, Aasif Sheikh looks to play it off the back foot but is well beaten past the outside edge.

Good length again but over middle stump this time and Aasif Sheikh b;locks it off.

Movement off the deck! Kagiso Rabada comes from the other end and slips one past the outside edge. On a good length around off and nipping away, Aasif Sheikh looks to punch it away but is beaten past the outside edge.

Bowled back of a length and around middle and leg, Aasif Sheikh nudges it down just behind square leg and gets off the mark with a quick single. A well-fought first over and Nepal are 6/0!

Risky single but well-judged. Pitched up on off stump at almost 143 clicks and shaping back in late, Kushal Bhurtel jams the ball wide of mid off and scampers through for the single.

FOUR! Streaky but effective and Nepal are off the mark. Bowled full and around off stump, Kushal Bhurtel looks to drive on the up but gets an inside edge and the ball goes to the left of the keeper and runs around to the fence.

Oh, that jagged back in a fair bit! Just short of a length and at 140 clicks, the ball pitches on middle and comes back in sharply as Kushal Bhurtel is beaten and gets hit on the body.

Pitched up around off stump, shaping back in a bit again, Kushal Bhurtel reaches out and taps the ball towards the cover region.

Some swing right away! Steams in from over the stumps and bowls it full on middle at 140 clicks, the ball shapes back in and Kushal Bhurtel flicks the ball away straight to mid-wicket.

OUT! STUMPED! Kushal Bhurtel ends with a four-fer and Nepal will be ecstatic with that bowling display. Burtel tosses the ball up on a dragged length on leg stump. Kagiso Rabada steps out to go big over long on but gets beaten all ends up and Aasif Sheikh has an easy stumping job to do behind the stumps. South Africa finish with a meager total of 115 for 7 on the board.

Kagiso Rabada is the new man in.

OUT! TALEN! Kushal Bhurtel with his third wicket and what a bowling performance this has been from Nepal. Bhurtel goes into the pitch and slows it up, getting the ball to turn away from off stump. Marco Jansen goes on the back foot and looks to slog it over long on but the connection isn't there. Anil Sah there dives across to his right and manages to hold onto the catch.

Looking for two but won't get it. Slower and shorter, turning away from middle and leg, Tristan Stubbs presses back and just nudges it to the leg side for a single.

Trying too much there, Tristan Stubbs. Nicely flighted outside off and turning away. Stubbs tries to reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the hands.

Tossed up again, outside off stump, Tristan Stubbs reaches out and slaps the ball away towards deep cover for a couple of runs.

SIX! BANG! That's the risk with a spinner bowling the final over. Tossed up on the stumps, Tristan Stubbs reaches forward and powers the ball away over the man at long on for a maximum.

Keeps it full and tries to angle it away, Tristan Stubbs brings out the drive but gets an inside edge to the leg side for a single.

Pitched up, full and outside off stump, Tristan Stubbs smashes the ball on the up and straight back at the bowler who does brilliantly on the follow-through and pouches it without a fuss.

FOUR! Nicely done by Tristan Stubbs. Full again on middle and leg, Stubbs moves across the off stump and flicks it away towards the vacant fence just behind square leg and picks up a boundary.

A slog and a miss! Full and in the blockhole outside off, slinging it away, Tristan Stubbs looks to reach out and smash it over covers but misses.

Leg bye! Full again and around off stump, Marco Jansen looks to reverse-flick it away but misses and the ball goes off the pads to point. They get a leg bye.

Well-fielded! Too full and around off stump, Tristan Stubbs reverses it on the full and wide of short third where the fielder dives across and makes the save. Just the single then.

A bit flatter and trying to angle it across the stumps, Marco Jansen blocks it to the off side.

Slows it up and floats it on the off stump, Tristan Stubbs shuffles across to the off side and mistimes the sweep straight to short fine leg for a single.

Full on middle and leg, clipped away through the mid-wicket region for a single.

Marco Jansen is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Beautifully bowled by Dipendra Singh Airee and David Miller has to depart here. Nicely tossed up from around the stumps, a bit fuller and around off stump. Miller looks to hold his ground and heave across the line but the ball just turns a bit and gets sliced up off the outside edge. Sandeep Lamichhane at short third man takes a simple reverse-cup catch and Nepal get another big wicket.

Tries to spear it in across the off stump but ends up serving a low full toss, Tristan Stubbs hits it firmly down to long off and picks up a single.

Quick and flat, on a dragged length around off, David Miller rocks back and punches it away in front of point for just a single.

On middle and leg, David Miller stays put and tucks it neatly in front of square leg for a run.

Floated up on middle and leg, driven away through mid on towards long on for one.

Too full, a low full toss on off stump, Tristan Stubbs drives it towards long off where the fielder comes in and fumbles the ball as the batters pick up a couple of runs.

Full again and around off, Tristan Stubbs brings out the reverse sweep and gets it towards third man for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Oh, dear! Karan KC is beaten all ends up the spin on the ball. Tossed up full and outside off, Tristan Stubbs fetches the ball and sweeps it hard to deep square leg where Karan gets wrong-footed and lets it through for a boundary.

Fuller length, drifted in from around off stump, Tristan Stubbs punches the ball away straight to covers.

Flatter and on the pads, David Miller flicks it away in front of square leg and looks for a brace, getting it with ease as well.

Full again and around off, pushed down to long off for a single.

Beaten! Bowled from over the stumps, a bit fuller and quicker, holding its line as well. Tristan Stubbs looks to block but is beaten past the outside edge.

Tristan Stubbs is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Nepal are on a roll and Reeza Hendricks' sluggish innings finally comes to an end. Dipendra Singh Airee bowls this one quite quick and into the pitch over the middle stump. Hendricks goes on the back foot and goes hard at the pull shot but miscues it badly just over the bowler's head. Airee settles under it and takes a simple catch. South Africa four down now.

On the shorter side, turning away from outside off, David Miller backs away and taps the ball through covers for a single.

Bowled flatter and from around the stumps, trying to angle it across the off stump, Reeza Hendricks swats it down to long on for a single.

Too full and angling it into the leg peg, Reeza Hendricks clears the front leg and whips it down to long on for just one more.

Banged in short and at the body, David Miller manages to help the pull down to deep backward square leg for a run.

Comes from around the wicket to the left-hander and bowls it full and outside off. David Miller hammers the cover drive but straight to the man inside the ring.

Nice and full outside off stump, driven away towards long off for a single.

A low, dipping full toss outside off stump, Reeza Hendricks doesn't read it at all and ends up miscuing it back into the deck and gets it to the leg side.

Pitched up full on the middle stump, Reeza Hendricks drives it straight back but Abinash Bohara sticks out a right boot and deflects the ball towards cover.

Quick and short over middle stump, Reeza Hendricks rocks back and slaps the ball away through mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted ball and on the stumps, David Miller strokes the ball away through wide mid off for a single.

A prolonged appeal for LBW but it is turned down. Kushal Bhurtel floats this one up very full and on middle and leg. David Miller looks for the big sweep and tries to nail it hard through square leg but plays all around it. The umpire says no and Nepal have gone upstairs. No bat involved on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows the wickets as umpire's call. David Miller starts walking but the onfield decision stays. NOT OUT!

Fuller and around off stump, driven away towards cover.

WIDE! Quicker one down the leg side, left alone for a wide.

David Miller is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Karan KC pulls off a stunning juggling act and Kushal Bhurtel has got the big fish here. Nicely tossed up, a bit full and pushed wide of the off stump, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and just tries to hit through the line. The ball is slapped away aerially and towards deep cover where Karan spills it on the first attempt and gets a few more bites at it before eventually taking it with the right hand.

Nicely flighted, full and outside off, Reeza Hendricks hammers the cover drive but straight to deep cover for one.

Another googly, turning in from middle, Reeza Hendricks gets it off the inner half of the bat behind square leg for a single.

Flatter again and around off, staying low, Reeza Hendricks jams the ball out in front of covers.

Full and around off stump, Heinrich Klaasen leans on and drives it to wide long off for a single.

The googly now, coming back into the right-hander from middle, Reeza Hendricks works it through mid-wicket for a single.

DROPPED! A valiant effort from Sompal Kami but Heinrich Klaasen survives. Flatter one on off stump, Heinrich Klaasen brings out the reverse sweep and gets it over backward point where Kami leaps up and gets a hand on it but fails to hang on. A single is taken.

Beaten! Pushed through quicker on off and middle, the leggie pitches and turns away sharply. Heinrich Klaasen looks to block but then ball zips past the outside edge.

Floated up on the stumps, Reeza Hendricks pushes it away towards mid on.

Oh, the spitting cobra there from Kushal Bhurtel. Tossed up a bit fuller and on off stump, this one grips and rips past the outside edge as Reeza Hendricks is left bamboozled.

Another one on a shorter length and angled into the legs, Reeza Hendricks looks to go on the back foot and flick it away but finds the man at short fine leg.

Shorter delivery on the pads, Heinrich Klaasen stays back and just tucks it behind square leg for a single.

Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in.

OUT! DRAGGED ON! Kushal Bhurtel makes amends for the dropped catch and sends the Proteas skipper packing. Holds this one back and floats it up on a nagging length outside off. Aiden Markram waits for it but is still a bit early in the cover drive. The ball takes the inside edge and goes on the bounce to crash into the stumps. A timely wicket here for Nepal.

On the shorter side and on middle and leg, Reeza Hendricks rocks back and flicks it through mid-wicket for one.

A low full toss now around middle, Reeza Hendricks reaches ahead and eases it to long on for a run.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Pitched up on the stumps, Reeza Hendricks stays put and just lofts it straight over mid off and to the man at long off. Kushal Bhurtel makes amess of a simple chance and the ball goes through him to the fence as well.

Just drags the length back and bowls it around off, Aiden Markram punches the ball away past covers for a single.

FOUR! Wow, that has been lathered to the fence by Aiden Markram. A bit too full and outside off, Markram frees his arms and hammers it through covers for a boundary.

Good length on the off stump line, Aiden Markram stands tall and taps the ball in front of covers.

Nagging length around off stump, and angling in, this one stays low as Aiden Markram plays around it and gets hit on the pads.

Time for Drinks! South Africa are going steady having lost just one wicket so far. They are facing a trial by spin thrown by the Nepalese bowlers. South Africa will need to kick on from here and look at the target of 160. For Nepal, they have bowled tidy lines and kept it tight but need wickets from hereon.

Googly, on the middle and leg. Aiden Markram knocks it to long-on for a single.

Tossed up on middle. Aiden Markram prods and blocks it.

Short ball, outside off. Reeza Hendricks goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Flatter on off. Punched to long-off for a single.

Floated, full, turning away. Aiden Markram swings hard but fails to connect.

Bhurtel drops it short, on the middle and leg. Hendricks pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Googly, on the middle. Aiden Markram prods and defends it toward the backward point region.

Flatter leg break, outside off. Reeza Hendricks goes back and knocks it to sweeper cover for a single.

Wrong'un, on off. Reeza Hendricks comes forward and gets an inside edge onto the pad.

Slower through the air and turns away, outside off. Reeza Hendricks gets down for the sweep but misses.

Googly, sliding down the leg. Reeza Hendricks goes back to nudge it away but misses and wears on the pad.

Floated, down the leg. Aiden Markram works it through square leg and settles for a single.

Pitched full, on off. Hendricks bunts it back at the bowler.

Tossed up on off. Reeza Hendricks blocks it from the crease.

SIX! BOOM! Malla drops it short, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks goes back and pulls it powerfully over the deep square leg fielder for a maximum.

Flatter on off. Hendricks defends into covers.

FOUR! BANG! Tad short, on off. Reeza Hendricks goes back and pumps it past the bowler and down to the long-off boundary. Beats the man and goes into the ropes.

Arm ball on the leg peg. Markram chips it toward long on for a run.

Tossed up on the leg peg. Aiden Markram pushes it to long-on for a run.

Bowls it full, just outside off. Aiden Markram brings out the reverse sweep but fails to connect and is hit on the pad.

Wrong'un, around off. Markram goes back and knocks it toward Lamichhane.

Full on middle, worked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tosses it on the middle, and turns away. Reeza Hendricks prods forward and is beaten again.

Sandeep Lamichhane starts with a sharp delivery. Full on middle-leg. Reeza Hendricks is rooted to his crease as he looks to defend and it turns sharply to beat the outside edge and go past the off-stump.

FOUR! PUT AWAY WITH EASE! Short and wide outside off. Aiden Markram rocks back and cuts it powerfully through covers for a boundary to end the powerplay.

LEG BYE! Darted down the leg. Reeza Hendricks backs away and works it off the pad toward short fine leg for an extra.

Tossed up on off, Markram drives to long off for a single to get off the mark.

Arm ball, on the leg peg. Aiden Markram goes back and it rolls off the outer half toward point.

Tad short, around off. Aiden Markram forces the cut toward extra cover. Rohit Paudel goes to his right and makes a brilliant stop.

Drifted down the leg. Reeza Hendricks glances it toward short fine leg for a single.

Kushal Malla comes into the attack.

On a length, outside off. Aiden Markram punches it off the backfoot to the man at cover-point.

Pitched full, at the stumps. Reeza Hendricks pushes it toward mid-on for a single.

FOUR MORE! Lovely Shot! Full on the pad. Reeza Hendricks flicks it nicely through the mid-wicket region for back to back boundaries.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Full-length delivery, outside off. Reeza Hendricks makes room and smashes it aerially over the point region for a cracking boundary.

Back of a length, angling in. Reeza Hendricks tucks into the leg side.

Karan KC starts with a good length delivery, on off. Reeza Hendricks prods forward and blocks it.

Pitched full, at the stumps. Aiden Markram pushes it back at Airee.

Tosses it on the middle. Aiden Markram bunts it to the right of the bowler.

South African skipper, Aiden Markram is in at 3.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Dipendra Singh Airee draws first blood. Arm ball, on the off-stump line. The ball holds in the surface after pitching as de Kock comes forward and chips it back to the bowler. Dipendra Singh Airee accepts it gleefully and Nepa get the first wicket. Another failure for Quinton de Kock as he departs for just 10.

Flatter, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks goes back and pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! BANG! Pitched full, in the slot on off. Reeza Hendricks stays deep in the crease and slams it past the bowler through mid off for a crunching boundary.

Tad short, outside off. Quinton de Kock makes room and slaps it toward wide mid-off for a single. The fielder does well to cut it off.

Good length delivery, angling into the middle and leg stump line. Reeza Hendricks looks to tuck it away but misses and wears on the thigh pad.

WIDE! Too short and way over the batter, around off. Reeza Hendricks sways out of the line and lets it go. Wide signaled by the umpire.

Bangs it short, on middle and off-stump line. Quinton de Kock stays back and pulls it on the bounce to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Streaky but de Kock will take it! Kami bowls it full, outside off. Quinton de Kock goes for the expansive drive but gets an inside edge that runs past the short fine leg region for a boundary.

Back of a length, on off. Quinton de Kock defends it toward mid off.

On a length, outside off. Keeps a shade low as Quinton de Kock plays and misses.

Pitched full, at the stumps. Quinton de Kock bunts it back at the bowler.

Flatter and turning into middle and off-stump line. Reeza Hendricks hangs back and turns it toward backward square leg. He wanted the single but de Kock denied.

Fires it full, at the stumps. Quinton de Kock comes forward and gets an inside edge toward backward square leg for one.

Slower through the air and shorter, outside off. Quinton de Kock cuts it to backward point.

Flat and turning in on off-stump line. Reeza Hendricks works it toward the wide mid on region for a single to get off the mark.

Tossed up on off. Quinton de Kock drops into the off-side and calls for a run.

Tad short, outside off. Quinton de Kock steers it past the backward point fielder for a couple. Sandeep Lamichhane gives the chase and stops it inside the boundary.

WIDE! Flat and way too wide outside the tramline. Quinton de Kock plays and misses. Wide signaled.

Time for some spin. It will Dipendra Singh Airee from the opposite end.

Keeps it on the back of a length, on off. Reeza Hendricks hangs back and defends into the short cover region. A tidy over from Sompal Kami.

Kami goes full, on off. Reeza Hendricks defends it forward.

FOUR LEG BYES! First runs for South Africa and off the pad! Kami strays on the pad. Hendricks nudges it off the pad and it runs past the keeper for four extras to the fine leg region.

On a length, on the leg peg. Reeza Hendricks defends it toward the silly mid on region.

Back of a length, on off. Reeza Hendricks gets behind it and knocks it to the cover-point fielder.

Sompal Kami begins with a full-length delivery, just outside off, and shapes it away. Reeza Hendricks lets it go.

Right then, we are done with the pre-match formalities. The umpires and players stride out to the park. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks will be the openers for South Africa. It will be Sompal Kami with the ball for Nepal. Let's play...

All in readiness now as the teams and match officials make their way to the ground for the National Anthems. We begin with the anthem of Nepal followed by that of South Africa. Live action is not far away.

This is the first meeting between these two sides in International cricket. Sandeep Lamichhane has joined the squad and is in the playing XI today. The leg-spinners's experience could be handy for the Nepalese side.

Pitch Report: The experts reckon that there is a gentle breeze around the ground at 12 kmph and the boundaries are 67 and 61 meters on the square while 76 meters down the ground. They further add that there is a bit of grass that should assist the spinners and the pacers as well. End by mentioning that 160 should be a par score and the South African pacers should enjoy bowling on this surface.

Aiden Markram, the South African skipper, says that they were looking to bat first so not unhappy with the toss result. Shares that they wanted to give some time to the batters in the middle. Mentions that they are excited about the clash as Nepal have done well in the past 12-18 months. Ends by sharing that Keshav Maharaj gets a break and Tabraiz Shamsi comes in for him.

Rohit Paudel, the Nepal captain, says that they will bowl first as the second innings will have dew and batting will be easier. Mentions that they had a good time to prepare and work on their skills in the past 10 days.

Nepal (Playing XI) - Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh(WK), Anil Sah, Rohit Paudel(C), Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane (in for Sagar Dhakal), Abinash Bohara.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock(WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ottneil Baartman, Tabraiz Shamsi (in for Keshav Maharaj).

Toss Update: Nepal have won the toss and opted to BOWL.

Nepal, on the flip side, have had two games so far with a loss and another game being abandoned due to rain. The Nepalese are in a must-win territory if they are to keep their hopes alive of going into the Super 8 stage. Nepal played the Netherlands in their first game where they faced testing conditions. The batting could only muster 106 runs but the bowlers gave a tough fight and took the game in the penultimate over but came on the losing side. Nepal faces a giant task and will have to bring out their A-game against the Proteas. Can Nepal pose a challenge or will South Africa continue their winning run? Let's find out. Toss and team news in a bit. Stay tuned!

Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of Match 31 in the T20 World Cup, 2024. It's a Group D clash where South Africa are taking on Nepal at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent. South Africa have already booked their place for the next round with a hat-trick of wins and are unbeaten in the competition so far. In their previous game against Bangladesh, the Proteas could only manage 113 runs after batting first. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were among the runs as they took their side from 23 for 4 and added 79 runs for the 5th wicket. With the ball, the bowling unit continued their fine form and kept Bangladesh to 109, winning by 4 runs in the end. Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje were among the wickets. South Africa will hope to keep the winning momentum and make it four out of four from the group stage.  

…MATCHDAY…

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, currently underway, has witnessed a trend of low-scoring humdingers so far. As the tournament progresses and the USA leg concludes, the caravan now shifts completely to the Caribbean. Match number 31 of Group D features the mighty Proteas taking on the emerging side of Nepal. With their spot in the Super 8s already booked, the Proteas are using this clash against Nepal as an opportunity to iron out any wrinkles in their game and sharpen their skills in certain domains, rather than solely concentrating on the outcome of this particular fixture. While the South African batting unit has grappled with difficulties during the league phase, grinding out hard-fought victories in tightly contested matches, evidently the way they huffed and puffed to chase the target against the Dutch, the remarkable fact is their ability to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious. The top order needs more consistency, with key players like the vastly experienced Quinton de Kock, along with Reeza Hendricks, and skipper Aiden Markram struggling to contribute substantial scores, leaving them due for significant innings. However, the team has found solace in the form of their heavyweight match-winners, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, whose contributions have rescued the Proteas from crunch situations. Tristan Stubbs who was in fine form, also aims to find his nick. The South African bowling unit has been a rock-solid force, consistently troubling opposition batters throughout the tournament. Notably, Anrich Nortje has rediscovered his rhythm and has been in scintillating form, emerging as the second-highest wicket-taker in the competition so far, with eight scalps to his name. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Ottneil Baartman have provided stellar support as well, forming a potent pace quartet that has functioned as a complete, well-oiled bowling unit. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj, the sole spinner, has been economical in his spells, tying down the batters and denying them the freedom to score freely. Overall, South Africa’s sole aim will be to improve their batting performance by being more consistent. Nepal's campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024 has been plagued with challenges from the outset. They endured a demoralizing defeat at the hands of the Netherlands in their opening encounter. Their hopes of bouncing back were further dampened when their second fixture against Sri Lanka was abandoned due to rain. Now, with two bigger challenges looming ahead for the boys from the subcontinent, they have a lot to correct, pick up the pieces, and also regroup as a unit to revive their campaign. Having had limited opportunities to showcase their prowess in this World Cup, Nepal's batting lineup finds itself heavily reliant on their in-form captain, Rohit Paudel, who has shouldered the bulk of the scoring responsibilities thus far. the team's chances of posing a serious challenge hinge on the ability of other key players like Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, and the all-rounders, including Dipendra Singh Airee, to raise their game. Nepal has demonstrated that they are not a side to be underestimated, possessing the requisite talent to trouble any opposition, with a fair share of experienced players. Nepal's bowling attack will heavily rely on the proven abilities of Gulshan Jha, Karan KC, and Abinash Bohara to lead the charge. The way South African batters have been exposed against variable pace and bounce, hence, these experienced campaigners will be entrusted with the responsibility of spearheading the bowling unit, aiming to trouble the opposition batters. The Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St. Vincent, sets the stage for this intriguing clash between the formidable South Africa, and the determined underdogs, Nepal. Will Nepal's spirited outfit manage to unsettle the formidable Proteas, or will South Africa's formidable brigade maintain their winning momentum? Who do you think will dominate in this clash?