“I was supporting Nepal. They deserved to win,” declared Dale Steyn, the legendary South African fast bowler, after South Africa emerged victorious in their ‘2024 T20 World Cup’ match. Steyn, who has retired from international cricket, was impressed by Nepal’s valiant performance, despite their ultimate defeat. He praised the team’s tenacity and skill, citing their ability to challenge South Africa, one of the tournament favorites. “Nepal played with a lot of heart and determination,” Steyn said. “They kept fighting until the very end.” Steyn went on to express his admiration for Nepal’s young players, who have shown great promise on the international stage. He said that he believes Nepal has a bright future in cricket and is capable of achieving great things. “I’m excited to see what Nepal can do in the years to come,” Steyn added. “They have a lot of potential.” Nepal’s performance in the ‘2024 T20 World Cup’ has been commendable. They have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with and have the ability to compete against the best teams in the world. Steyn’s endorsement of their talent is a testament to their progress and determination.Nepal’s Close Call Against South Africa in T20 World CupNepal’s Close Call Against South Africa in T20 World Cup During the T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Nepal, South African legend Dale Steyn expressed his support for Nepal, hoping they would emerge victorious. Nepal’s performance throughout the match suggested they had a chance, but a remarkable showing from Tabraiz Shamsi and a few tense moments for Nepal’s young team ultimately prevented history from being made. An Edge-of-the-Seat Game Steyn hailed the match as “the match of the tournament.” He noted the excitement and intensity of the game, stating, “I think it was the match of the tournament. I’m a big underdog fan, so even being South African, I thought, come on, Nepal.” South Africa’s Narrow Victory South Africa emerged victorious by just one run in a thrilling last-play game. This outcome broke the hearts of the Nepali cricketers and their passionate fans present at the stadium and those watching at home. Steyn’s Praise for Nepal Steyn praised Nepal’s performance, saying, “These exciting thrillers… I saw people crying in the stands. It shows how much it means to people and I think that’s what cricket is about, not about the 200 but about this. This is what the game is about.” He added, “It would have been the talk of the tournament if Nepal had crossed the line. It would have been fantastic. They almost deserved to win.” Nepal’s Heartbreak Nepal needed just two runs from the last ball to secure a win, but a run-out at the non-striker’s end handed victory to South Africa. The Nepalese players were understandably devastated, having come close to securing their first win against a full ICC member nation in 12 attempts. Lessons Learned Despite the loss, Nepal’s performance provided valuable lessons for the team. Captain Rohit Paudel said, “We were very close and yet very far away. I think in the decisive moments we did well and the way we fought was very good. If we can play against the best teams more regularly, next time we will be on the winning side.” Stay Informed with Hindustan Times For the latest cricket news, T20 World Cup updates, and match highlights, follow Hindustan Times website and app. You can also explore the World Cup schedule, track the World Cup points table, follow Virat Kohli’s performance, and stay ahead with statistics on most wickets and most runs of the World Cup.Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has praised Nepal’s performance in their recent T20 World Cup match against South Africa, saying that they deserved to win. “I was supporting Nepal. They played really well and deserved to win,” Steyn said. “They showed great spirit and determination, and they never gave up.” Nepal ultimately lost the match by just 9 runs, but they impressed many observers with their performance. They were particularly strong in the bowling department, with Sandeep Lamichhane taking 3 wickets and Sompal Kami taking 2. “I think Nepal has a bright future in cricket,” Steyn added. “They have a lot of talented players, and they are playing with a lot of confidence. I’m excited to see what they can achieve in the future.” Nepal’s performance in the T20 World Cup has been a major source of pride for the country. It is the first time that Nepal has qualified for the tournament, and they have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the world. Their performance has also inspired a new generation of cricketers in Nepal. Many young people are now taking up the sport, and they are dreaming of one day playing for the national team. Nepal’s success in the T20 World Cup is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and the coaching staff. It is also a sign of the growing popularity of cricket in Nepal.