T20 World Cup 2024, 1st Semi-Final: Unbeaten South Africa thrash Afghanistan by 9 wickets to qualify for their maiden World Cup Final

South Africa have finally broken their semi-final jinx, advancing to an ICC final with a brutal display of dominance and fiery fast bowling. In a match that saw Afghanistan overawed by the occasion and fatigued by emotionally draining wins over Australia and Bangladesh, South Africa’s bowlers made short work of their opponents.

Match Overview

South Africa’s victory was set in motion by a fierce spell of fast bowling from Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. The duo blew Afghanistan away in the powerplay, leaving their innings in tatters.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024, 1st Semi-Final, South Africa vs Afghanistan: “No time to practice” Michael Vaughan’s sensational revelation about Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s innings never got going. Their top order was dismantled by Jansen and Rabada, and post-powerplay, Tabraiz Shamsi and Anrich Nortje continued the assault, skittling out Afghanistan for just 56 runs – the lowest ever in a World Cup semi-final.

Innings Breakdown

Early wickets

It all started with Marco Jansen dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over of the innings. Afghanistan never recovered from this early blow. Jansen delivered perfect lengths to send back two more batters, while Kagiso Rabada also struck twice in his first over, leaving the opposition reeling at 23/5 in five overs.

Middle order woes

After the early burst, there was no let-off. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi shared five wickets between them. Afghanistan’s batters came and went, playing poor shots against some superb bowling.

The tail end

Tabraiz Shamsi wrapped up the innings with three lbws, exploiting Afghanistan’s vulnerabilities and ensuring they were bowled out for just 56 runs. This score was not only Afghanistan’s lowest in T20Is but also the lowest total against South Africa by any team in the shortest format of the game.

South Africa’s Response

A steady chase

In reply, Afghanistan’s new ball bowlers bowled valiantly, and Fazalhaq Farooqi got the wicket of Quinton de Kock with a ball that nipped back in. However, the target was too small, and after playing out the first few overs, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks found their hitting zone.

Markram and Hendricks shine

The South African skipper played some classy strokes, while Hendricks finished off the game with a six and a four. The target was chased down in under 9 overs, marking a historic day for South Africa and a day to forget for Afghanistan after an otherwise impressive campaign.

The Historic Campaign

South Africa have roared into their maiden World Cup final after dominating Afghanistan in Trinidad. The Proteas made short work of the paltry total in reply, reaching their target with nine wickets still intact and inside nine overs, confirming an emphatic victory.

Afghanistan’s lowest total

Rashid Khan’s side was bowled out for 56, their lowest total in 142 T20Is. This score set a new floor for the lowest total in a men’s T20I knockout game, with extras (13) being the top scorer.

South Africa in ICC WC Semi Finals
Mats: 8
Won: 1 (today)
Lost: 6
Tied: 1 (vs AUS, 1999)

– 67 balls is the biggest win margin for South Africa in terms of balls remaining in T20Is, bettering 51 balls against Pakistan in Jo’burg in 2007. This is also the biggest defeat margin for Afghanistan in terms of balls remaining in T20Is.

Most wickets for South Africa in a T20 WC edition
13 – Anrich Nortje (2024)*
12 – Imran Tahir (2014)
12 – KG Rabada (2024)*
11 – C Langeveldt (2010)
11 – Anrich Nortje (2022)
11 – Tabraiz Shamsi (2024)*

South Africa’s longest winning streaks in T20Is
8* – in 2024
7 – in 2009
7 – in 2021

Biggest win for SA in T20 WCs (by Wkts)
10 wkts vs ZIM, Hambantota, 2012
9 wkts vs AFG, Tarouba, 2024

Player of the Match

Marco Jansen | Player of the Match: Awesome feeling. The guys played really well, we executed perfectly. We just wanted to stick to our plan, bowl good lengths and see how the wicket reacts. The wicket was getting a bit open, and it was about keeping it simple.