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.

This marks the first time in eight World Cup semi-finals across the one-day and T20 formats that South Africa have managed a victory. Now, they are just one potential victory away from a maiden World Cup title.

Toss and initial moments

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bat first, hoping to put runs on the board and apply pressure on South Africa. However, everything went South Africa’s way from the very beginning.

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 top order collapse

The opening pair that had carried Afghanistan so well during the tournament crumbled under the pressure. Rahmanullah Gurbaz faced only three balls before edging to slip off Jansen’s bowling in the first over.

Ibrahim Zadran, another key player, was bowled by a Rabada inswinger on the first ball of the third over. The early losses left Afghanistan’s middle and lower order exposed to a rampaging South African attack.

Kagiso Rabada followed with a double-wicket maiden, further destabilizing Afghanistan’s innings and reducing them to 20-4 after just 3.4 overs.

Middle and lower order struggles

Afghanistan’s middle and lower order struggled to cope with the relentless South African bowling. Wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took three wickets in just 11 deliveries, all lbw decisions to balls keeping low, to finish off Afghanistan for a paltry 56 in 11.5 overs. Azmattullah Omarzai was the only Afghan batter to reach double figures, top-scoring with 10.

Record low total

Being bowled out for 56 was a significant blow to Afghanistan, highlighting their struggle against high-quality pace and spin. The South African bowlers executed their plans perfectly, exploiting the conditions and maintaining relentless pressure.

South Africa’s chase

Despite losing Quinton de Kock early in the chase, South Africa remained unperturbed. Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks formed a steady partnership, navigating the small target with calm and precision. Their composed approach on an exceedingly tricky Tarouba pitch was commendable.

Clinical and dominant victory

For a team infamous for playing jittery cricket in knockouts, this win was both clinical and dominant. South Africa left nothing to chance, bowling beautifully, fielding sharply, and batting sensibly. The margin of victory, by nine wickets with 67 balls remaining, underscores the control they exerted over the match from start to finish.

Reactions from the cricketing world

Twitter erupted with reactions to South Africa’s performance. Fans and experts alike lauded their dominance and clinical execution. Former players and cricket analysts praised the team’s all-round performance and resilience. The victory sparked celebrations among South African fans, who have waited long for such a moment.

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.

In a sensational semi-final clash at Tarouba’s Brian Lara Cricket Academy, South Africa’s quicks dismantled Afghanistan’s batting lineup, rolling them out for a mere 56 runs. This match has sparked controversy and conversation, not just for the on-field action but also for the revelations made off the field.

Controversial Lead-Up

During the match, former English cricketer and renowned commentator Michael Vaughan made a sensational revelation. He tweeted, “So Afghanistan qualify for the WC semi-final by winning in St. Vincent on Monday night. They then face a 4-hour flight delay on Tuesday to Trinidad, leaving no time to practice or get accustomed to the new venue. Utter lack of respect to players, I’m afraid.”

After winning the last Super Eight clash against Bangladesh, the Afghanistan team had to travel to a different venue for the semi-final. However, their flight was delayed by 4 hours, which meant they didn’t get the chance to practice. This disruption likely contributed to their poor performance. This raises serious issues regarding the ICC’s scheduling and logistics. This tweet highlighted the logistical nightmare Afghanistan faced, potentially affecting their performance.

See Also: “No more Australia in this competition,” Rohit Sharma’s cheeky remark on Australia’s exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup

Michael Vaughan’s revelation about Afghanistan’s disrupted preparation has raised questions about the ICC’s scheduling and logistical arrangements. This controversy has added another layer to the narrative of the semi-final and might prompt the ICC to review its processes.

Match Overview

Captain Rashid Khan won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping to set a challenging target for South Africa. However, Afghanistan’s innings quickly turned into a nightmare. By the seventh over, they were reeling at 28/6, thanks to the relentless pace attack from Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.

South Africa’s dominant bowling performance

Jansen’s spell was nothing short of extraordinary. He started the demolition job by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the very first over.

Rabada complemented Jansen perfectly, taking two crucial wickets in his first over. His pace and accuracy were too much for the Afghan top order, leaving them in tatters at the end of the powerplay.

Middle overs struggles

Amidst the chaos, Karim Janat and Rashid Khan tried to steady the ship with a 22-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, their resistance was short-lived as Tabraiz Shamsi and Anrich Nortje quickly dismantled the lower order.

Shamsi’s spin and Nortje’s pace proved to be the final nails in the coffin for Afghanistan. Shamsi picked up three wickets, exploiting the turn and bounce on the pitch, while Nortje’s express pace cleaned up the tail.

Lowest Total in T20 World Cup Semifinals

Afghanistan’s total of 56 is the lowest ever in T20 World Cup semi-finals. This performance overshadowed the previous lowest, which was 128/6 by Sri Lanka against England in 2010. The collapse was a stark reminder of the pressures of high-stakes cricket.

In a stunning display of bowling prowess, South Africa dismantled Afghanistan for just 56 runs in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. The match, held at the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, saw South Africa’s bowlers run riot, securing their spot in the final with a dominant performance.

Toss and brave decision

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan won the toss and made the brave decision to bat first. With the pitch offering some early movement, the choice to bat was a strategic gamble, aiming to put runs on the board and pressure South Africa in the second innings.

See Also: ICC sanctions Rashid Khan for throwing bat at Afghanistan teammate during T20 World Cup

South Africa’s dominant bowling attack

South Africa’s pacers, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, made immediate inroads, dismantling Afghanistan’s top order with precision. Jansen struck three times in the powerplay, setting the stage for a dominant performance. Tabraiz Shamsi then took over, cleaning up the tail and ensuring Afghanistan never recovered.

The powerplay was a nightmare for Afghanistan. Jansen’s early strikes included the vital wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Gulbadin Naib. Rabada’s double-wicket maiden added to Afghanistan’s woes, leaving them reeling at 28/5 after six overs.

Marco Jansen’s & Tabraiz Shamsi’s spell

Jansen’s performance was a masterclass in fast bowling. His early breakthroughs disrupted Afghanistan’s batting lineup, removing key players and building immense pressure. Jansen’s ability to swing the ball and hit the right lengths made him nearly unplayable.

Shamsi was equally effective, taking three crucial wickets and ensuring no Afghan batsman settled in. His spell in the middle overs was pivotal, as he systematically dismantled the lower order with his variations and accuracy.

Supporting Bowlers: Rabada and Nortje

Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje provided strong support. Rabada’s fiery pace and accuracy yielded two wickets, while Nortje’s consistency and pressure bowling kept the scoring in check, further tightening the noose around Afghanistan’s batting.

Historical Context

Afghanistan’s total of 56 is now the lowest in T20 World Cup semi-final history, surpassing Sri Lanka’s 128/6 against England in 2010. This match highlighted the stark contrast between Afghanistan’s high points in the tournament and their struggle in this crucial game.

56 all-out is the lowest total by a team in a T20 World Cup semi-final match.

Lowest totals by a full-member team in T20 WCs
55 – ENG vs WI, Dubai, 2021
56 – AFG vs SA, Tarouba, 2024*
60 – NZ vs SL, Chattogram, 2014
70 – BAN vs NZ, Kolkata, 2016

Lowest total for Afghanistan in T20Is
56 vs SA, Tarouba, 2024*
72 vs BAN, Mirpur, 2014
80 vs SA, Bridgetown, 2010
80 vs ENG, Colombo, 2012
– all the above four have come in a WC match.

Lowest totals vs South Africa in T20Is
56 – AFG, Tarouba, 2024*
77 – SL, New York, 2024
80 – AFG, Bridgetown, 2010
81 – SCO, The Oval, 2009

Afghanistan are the FIRST EVER team to lose 5 wickets inside the powerplay in the semifinal in T20 World Cup history

Pacer Anrich Nortje broke the record for most wickets by a South African in a T20 World Cup tournament, during his side’s semifinal contest against Afghanistan in Tarouba on Thursday.

The 1st semi-final match of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be played between South Africa vs Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in Trinidad on June 27 at 8:30 PM local. However, Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat.

South Africa’s Team Journey

South Africa are on a 7-match winning streak in the 2024 T20 World Cup. But, their journey haven’t been as easy as it seems! Barring their opening game against Sri Lanka which they won quite convincingly, the other opponents have given them a run for their money. Nepal came astonishingly close to topple them and that should tell you the story!

See Also: Suryakumar Yadav drops from No 1 spot in ICC T20I rankings

The Proteas have stuttered and stumbled but have found ways to come out on top. Considering South Africa’s shambolic history in knockout games, the experience of having played nervy contests might just turn the tide in their favour this time around.

Afghanistan’s Team Journey

Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in a nail-biting contest a couple of nights back, the streets of Kabul to Kandahar overflowed with people brimming with joy! Their tight win against New Zealand in the group stage was a confidence-booster. Though they suffered big losses against West Indies and India, they didn’t lose self-belief! After that, the win against Australia in the Super Eight truly revealed their calibre.

South Africa vs Afghanistan: Who said what at the toss?

Rashid Khan: We would like to bat first, it’s a fresh wicket and we will like to have a good total on the board. The middle-order hasn’t got much time in the middle, they have to come out in the 15-16th over and it’s not easy. It’s good that the top-order has taken responsibility and they have batted very well. When you have a 4-hour delay flight, it’s not easy. Doesn’t matter if you sleep 1 hour, you have to be at your best. We are going with the same lineup.

Aiden Markram: We would have probably batted first as well but it’s a fresh wicket. We haven’t nailed it quite with the bat yet, conditions have been tough. Hopefully, we will do well with the bat and ball and step up in the semi-final. Same team for us.

Playing XIs:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi