June 13, 2024 6:13 PM
Alex Sarwar

South Africa vs Nepal Preview & Prediction | 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Group Stage

Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!

South Africa aim to finish the group stage with a 100% record, whilst Nepal are fighting for their tournament lives following Sri Lanka washout in Florida.

DATE & TIME: Friday 14th June, 2024: USA (WST) – 4:30pm / USA (CST) - 6:30pm / USA (EST) - 7:30pm / Kingstown - 7:30pm / Saturday 15th June, 2024: UK – 12:30am / India - 5:00am / South Africa – 1:30am / Pakistan – 4:30am / Bangladesh – 5:30am / Australia – 9:30am

VENUE: Arnos Vale Playing Field, Kingstown, St Vincent, West Indies

WEATHER: Cloudy with a moderate breeze, but dry throughout as temperatures hover at around 28c.

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Disney Star

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco & Tamasha / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Disney+Hotstar / Australia – Amazon Prime Video

SOUTH AFRICA FORM: THREE FROM THREE REPRESENTS PERFECT START FOR PROTEAS

South Africa were expected to dominate their group leading into the tournament and that has certainly been the case, with them getting the better of Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Bangladesh respectively, the latter putting up a good fight but the Proteas ultimately winning by four runs in Long Island.

LAST FIVE: WWWLL

NEPAL FORM: WINLESS ACROSS THE GROUP STAGE, BUT STILL IN CONTENTION

Although Nepal have at least got on the board courtesy of a washout against Sri Lanka, giving them their first point of the group stage, they have mountain to climb if they are to secure a top two finish with victory here potentially setting up a winner-takes-all clash with Bangladesh depending on other results.

LAST FIVE: ALALL

SOUTH AFRICA BETTING ANALYSIS

South Africa are yet to accumulate a substantial opening partnership over the course of this competition so far, but playing in Kingstown could see a turn in fortunes for Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock. The three fixtures played so far have seen them put on 10, 0 and 9 for the first wicket and it’s hard to see two players of their quality being kept quiet for much longer. Therefore, back the pair to accrue 25.5 for the first wicket and a higher opening partnership than that of Nepal.

From a bowling perspective, South African quick Anrich Nortje has been bowling fire and picking up wickets for fun. Across their recent three victories, Nortje has gained eight scalps so far with only Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi having managed more at the time of writing. His right-arm pace always poses a substantial threat and backing him to rack up another 2+ wickets against Nepal is well worth backing.

NEPAL BETTING ANALYSIS

Nepal will face an uphill task to get anything out of this match and when you consider the class of South Africa’s bowlers, it would be no surprise if Nepal were to lose early wickets regardless of whether they are setting or chasing a target. With that in mind, back Nepal to put on an opening partnership of under 10.5 runs.

Captain Rohit Paudel impressed with the bat against Netherlands, striking 35 from 37 balls and such a knock will have done his confidence a world of good. If anyone is capable of accumulating a score against such a strong Proteas bowling attack, it is Paudel. Bettors should consider exploring the Team - Top Batter market to invest in the Nepal skipper.

SOUTH AFRICA VS NEPAL EXPERT PREDICTION

In what has been a T20 World Cup of upsets, it would be foolish to write Nepal off here, even against a team of South Africa’s power and big-hitting ability. However, when you take into account the form of the Proteas, it’s hard not to see them dominating across the vast majority of this game and ultimately coming out on top fairly comfortably.

What South Africa will want are their top batters to spend some significant time at the crease, one such player being Aiden Markram. Batting at number three, the Proteas captain is capable of accumulating a big innings and when taking into account his ability to clear the role, backing Markram to score at least one six has to be favoured.

SOUTH AFRICA VS NEPAL TOP TIP: AIDEN MARKRAM TO SCORE OVER 0.5 MATCH SIXES

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