Social Media reactions to Nepal's heartbreaking defeat against South Africa

Nepal suffered a heartbreaking defeat against South Africa in their third group-stage game of the T20 World Cup. In their previous 11 matches against test-playing nations, Nepal had never secured a victory. This time, they came very close but ultimately fell short by the barest of margins.

The entire country woke up early to support the team, watching from their televisions despite being miles away from the stadium. Nepal managed to restrict South Africa to 115 runs but suffered a one-run defeat, unable to score 18 runs from the final 18 balls.

Nepal’s failure to secure a historic win left their fans utterly devastated. However, the entire cricketing community was proud of Nepal’s performance and how they competed against the Proteas.

Here’s how X (Twitter formerly) reacted after Nepal’s narrow defeat:

A performance to be proud of 🫶

Keep your heads high, @CricketNep ❤️#T20WorldCup #SAvNEP pic.twitter.com/pjZHdx34bB

— ICC (@ICC) June 15, 2024

So close, yet so far. 💔🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/ggYT6AJhBD

— cricnepal.com 🇳🇵 🦏 (@cricnepal) June 15, 2024

Almost there 💔 #SAvNEP #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/jFnB3Ezlx1

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 15, 2024

#RhinoFans We fall short of 1 run in the thriller at the world stage 🎯

📺 Watch Live: https://t.co/mYDZYaDLNa #OneBallBattles | #NepalCricket | #T20WorldCup | #OutOfThisWorld pic.twitter.com/wtUqqtMIX3

— CAN (@CricketNep) June 15, 2024

A heartbreaking end for Nepal.

A bizarre final ball run out has helped South Africa survive an almighty #T20WorldCup scare.

Full report: https://t.co/m1ELnGPM0u pic.twitter.com/6l0vWGcOf1

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 15, 2024

Hold your heads high Nepal. That was South Africa you almost took down today. You have some of the most passionate fans and you let them believe. Hopefully bigger days are round the corner.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 15, 2024

A wonderful game of cricket!
A night that belonged to Nepal @CricketNep as they fell just short of their Cricketing Everest v South Africa.@T20WorldCup
SA won by one run.
Nepal have enhanced their reputation in the World of Cricket.

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 15, 2024

Nepal is the team to watch in the next 10 years!

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 15, 2024

Heartbreak for Nepal in Kingstown.#SAvNEP #T20WorldCup #ACC pic.twitter.com/g3oRxp1I2H

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) June 15, 2024

To the Nepal team, what a game, what a fight! 🤝

It’s only upwards from here. 🙌#ProteaFire #T20WorldCup #SAvNEP pic.twitter.com/6ayfseQ9vj

— MI Cape Town (@MICapeTown) June 15, 2024

Nepal verrraa maari🔥🔥 #SAvNEP #T20IWordCup2024

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 15, 2024

Another nail-biting finish. Heartbreak for Nepal fans but really brave from Nepal. This team has got a bright future. #SAvNEP #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/GCRRu9GnEF

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 15, 2024

What a heartbreaker for Nepal! 💔

You never want to barrack for a full nation side against an associate nation. But South Africa’s win keeps The Netherlands hopes alive to make the Super 8. #T20WorldCup

— Netherlands Cricket Insider (@KNCBInsider) June 15, 2024

Unreal fans support! 🥳
Unreal game of 🏏
Unreal night! 🇳🇵
Nepal, you have won all our hearts! 🫶🏼💛#T20WorldCup #SAvNEP pic.twitter.com/krUDDOzxxX

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) June 15, 2024

So close. Almost there. You made your fans proud and entertained them. Well fought, @CricketNep 🇳🇵#MumbaiMeriJaan #MumbaiIndians #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/LUss7dveLr

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 15, 2024

This is a Nepal Cricket appreciation post! 🇳🇵

Also the fans! 🫶#T20WorldCup #SAvNEP pic.twitter.com/pI7BU63VRD

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) June 15, 2024

The world is absolutely proud of the fight, @CricketNep 🇳🇵👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/5Da3giRQeT

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) June 15, 2024

Nepal and their fans – a bond unlike any other 😍🙌 pic.twitter.com/8pmFIiZ8GX

— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) June 15, 2024

Proud of you, Team Nepal 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/245GXR3q7T

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) June 15, 2024

This night belongs to Nepal, whatever the result, I've never been as proud as I am of this group of players. ❤️🙏🇳🇵#T20WorldCup

— Andrew Leonard (@CricketBadge) June 15, 2024

THE HEARTBREAKING MOMENT FOR NEPAL.

– A defeat by just 1 run! 🥹💔pic.twitter.com/qPhUgfgI77

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 15, 2024

Scenes from Kathmandu today, as Nepal fell just short of a famous win 📸#SAvNEP #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/lPDf1wmbuS

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 15, 2024

Well played team win or loose does not matter the way you fight against a big team is appreciable well done boys!💪🏼💪🏼
Keep your heads up,
you’ve made your country so proud🇳🇵🇳🇵🇳🇵 pic.twitter.com/n2BnOE7YIx

— indu barma (@InduBarma) June 15, 2024

Nepal Players in tears….!!!!

– This is the youngest team in this World Cup, they have put on some great performance but a very very sad ending. pic.twitter.com/BAAT5ZcaHa

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 15, 2024

That Inches Matter The Most 👀 pic.twitter.com/t5ra7rV8fw

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) June 15, 2024

Nothing but pride for Nepal 🇳🇵 and their fans.

Herculean efforts by the associate nation to almost beat South Africa in the #T20WorldCup2024👏 pic.twitter.com/27qSR0NL7y

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 15, 2024

सायद यस्तो मौका अर्को दशकमा पनि आउदैन । हामी जतिनै दुखि यहाका स्थानिय थिए । कसरी हार्यौ? दुखि!!!

— sachin timalsena (@TimalsenaSachin) June 15, 2024

Heartbroken but proud.

A single run.

But that came against an unbeaten favourites. That’s no small feat.

— Sajjan Raj Vaidya (@SajjanRajVaidya) June 15, 2024

aand this is going to Haunt us for a long long time.
lots of IF ONLY moment there. pic.twitter.com/zMAOe5Exbd

— Subas Humagain (@SubasTheOne_) June 15, 2024

Has to be the most painful defeat in the history of Nepal Cricket. I don't know why Gulshan Jha didn't drag his bat. Why didn't these two attempt to sneak single in the last two balls?#NEPvSA

— Samraat Maharjan (@MaharjanSamraat) June 15, 2024

from ecstasy to agony in minutes. another what could have been story. my heart has shattered. pic.twitter.com/1WimO1aghz

— UMESH (@USigdel) June 15, 2024

Shaken. Heart-broken. But not defeated. We go again.

As it was told: "South Africa has held their nerve against Mighty Nepal"

Too close yet too far.

Leaving you all with Nepal cricket's new favorite clip to drool over it for the day:#SAvNEP #NEPvSA #T20WorldCup #NepalCricket pic.twitter.com/o5cGhwZooz

— momocricket (@momocricket) June 15, 2024

Nepal will be back in 2026 in a World Cup next to home.

Watch out, Full Members.

— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) June 15, 2024

One last drama!
Nepal 🇳🇵vs 🇿🇦 South Africa
📍Sanogaucharan, Kathmandu #NepalCricket #NEPvSA #T20WorldCup2024 #CricketCraze pic.twitter.com/HoQaSeLRaQ

— RAJU GHISING (@rghising) June 15, 2024

HEARTBREAK 💔 #Nepal #SouthAfrica #NepvSA pic.twitter.com/achGB0iMrc

— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) June 15, 2024

Just back from #SAvNEP & delighted, exhilarated & heartbroken for #Nepal all at the same time. They & all Associates need more matches against Full Members to hone their skills & ensure they have the know-how to get over the line in these tight games…. #T20WorldCup

— Brian Murgatroyd (@murgersb) June 15, 2024

How in the world we lost from here?

We managed to get defeated when we were 99% ahead in the game.

We're born for upsets and disappoinment💔 pic.twitter.com/FSBZn9YM4X

— Suvam Koirala 🏏 (@SuvamKoirala_45) June 15, 2024

What a game. A brave brave Nepal losing by just one run to South Africa after having to get just 2 runs in the last two balls.
This is why I love an expanded format. Games like this, or US's win against Pakistan can inspire a whole new generation of cricketers in their country.

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) June 15, 2024

Let’s take the positives from today’s game and try to give a good show against Bangladesh.
I personally don’t want that we win hearts, we have won many. It’s high time we Win the big game.
Batting has been a concern, hoping we come strong against Bengal Tigers.
GoodLuck

— Manish M. Sakhalkar (@BuddhaartM) June 15, 2024

जिन्दगीकै कालो दिन सम्झिन्छु pic.twitter.com/UtNj1WYF3d

— Bipin Sapkota (@bipinsapkota213) June 15, 2024

So close yet so so so far 🥹💔💔 Nepal simply out lashed South Africa . Just 1 run 💔💔 Nevertheless well fought Nepal. Giving this close competition to mighty South Africa is not everyone's cup of tea. Heads up high!!! 👏 Let's work harder to qualify for the next world cup… pic.twitter.com/xP9OlMMJa8

— Aakriti Singh (@Aakritib13) June 15, 2024

The passion for cricket in Nepal was on show in a heartbreaking 1-run loss to South Africa 🇳🇵💔#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/yHgm4g8fr7

— Sport360° (@Sport360) June 15, 2024

This loss was frustrating, and will haunt us for a long long time, we are eliminated from the World Cup with one game to play.

— Nepal's Rhino Army 🦏 🇳🇵 (@NepalsRhinoArmy) June 15, 2024

This one will haunt us and the players for the rest of our lives… 💔❤️‍🩹

— Sachin Sapkota 🇳🇵 (@sachinsapkota) June 15, 2024

Nepal were this close of taking the match against South Africa into the Super Over. A run out on the last ball 🇳🇵💔💔💔

#tapmad #HojaoADFree #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/y8eS8HKObt

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) June 15, 2024

Win or lose doesn’t matter, Let’s celebrate the game of cricket. #NepVsSA #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/M91LLNuuSU

— Binod Pandey (@dearbinod) June 15, 2024

Irrespective of the result today, Nepal Cricket team won the hearts of every cricket fan across the whole world❤. They deserve a bilateral series with every test nation, i hope ICC will give importance to Nepal Team now#NEPvsSA pic.twitter.com/qVSdvJp8mN

— Ashutosh Rana (@ranaashutosh100) June 15, 2024

Heart breaking 💔 moment for Nepal.#SAvsNEP | #SAvNEP | #NEPvsSA pic.twitter.com/7pGq3ztxgm

— Don Cricket 🏏 (@doncricket_) June 15, 2024

What a game! Nepal losing by the barest of margins, a run! Well played boys nevertheless #NepalvsSA https://t.co/RtdDC0GZaf

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 15, 2024