AFG vs SA Match Preview

After capturing some famous victories and running eventual winners Australia close during the one-day international tournament last October and November, Afghanistan's decision to seal the series ahead of the final game ought to come as no surprise. They have improved in all disciplines, and now have the opportunity to establish themselves as a major player ahead of next year's ICC Champions Trophy. Afghanistan has two players Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan who are still young but have a lot of experience and consistently deliver world-class performances.

AFG vs SA Match Details

Afghanistan vs South Africa – 3rd Match, ODI Match

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Date & Time: 22th September 2024 at 05:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

AFG vs SA Venue Stats

AFG vs SA Pitch Report

Despite the bowlers dominating and the batters struggling, South Africa demonstrated the quality of the batting surface at the Stadium game.

AFG vs SA Weather Report

The conditions are expected to be very similar to what we saw in the first two games, with sunshine throughout and temperatures in the mid-twenties from start to finish.

AFG vs SA Last Five Matches

AFG vs SA Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Afghanistan Test captain Ben Stokes returns for Pakistan tour

AFG vs SA Probable Playing XIs:

South Africa Probable Playing XIs

Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqabayomzi Peter, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Afghanistan Probable Playing XIs

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ikram Alikhil (wk), AM Ghazanfar, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Topmost Picks for AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Afghanistan

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Rahmanullah Gurbaz hopes to give the team a strong start in this match and take some pressure off the middle order.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi – Fazalhaq Farooqi put up a brilliant display on the slow surface, sending half of the opposition’s team back to the dugout in 8 overs.

Top Picks – South Africa

• Wiaan Mulder – Wiaan Mulder was the only batter to hold his head up high after hitting 52 runs of South Africa's 106. Another strong performance in this ODI and he could well be pushed up the order.
• Lungi Ngidi – He has to rely on accuracy on a surface where some low-boucne can trouble the batters. 

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for AFG vs SA Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Azmatullah Omarzai, Wiaan Mulder, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi, Rashid Khan(C), Fazalhaq Farooqi(VC)

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for AFG vs SA Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(VC), Azmatullah Omarzai(C), Wiaan Mulder, Nandre Burger, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Fazalhaq Farooqi, Aiden Markram

Vice-captain – Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai

Wicketkeeper – Rahmanullah Gurbaz

AFG vs SA Probable Winners:

The gap between the teams has been far greater than expected prior to the series, and Afghanistan will enter the final ODI with high confidence! With all aspects of South Africa's play falling far behind Afghanistan's, we expect another comfortable win for Afghanistan in Sharjah. Considering the team combination, Afghanistan is expected to win this match.

Afghanistan complete their first series win over South Africa and will be full of belief. They are proving that they are no more pushovers and are serious contenders, easily looking among the best in Asia. Their young talent is shining brightly. Rashid Khan though could sit out for this game having had some concerns with his hamstring in the previous game.

AFG vs SA Match Details

Date: September 22nd, 2024

Time: 5:30 AM IST

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

AFG vs SA Weather Report

The weather looks good with a lot of sun through the day and minimal chances of rain.

AFG vs SA Pitch Report

While Sharjah is known to have really small boundaries, the dryness and softness in the pitch has given bowlers a lot of support. There is a lot of movement and uneven bounce early on with batting second a better choice as batting can get better under lights.

AFG vs SA Predicted Playing XI

SA Playing XI

Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markaram, Tristin Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

AFG Playing XI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hussain, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan, Am Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

See Also: Today’s Cricket Match Predictions – Cricket Winner

AFG vs SA Key Players

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Afghanistan's left arm quick is showing a lot of improvement. He bowled really well in the first ODI with support from the pitch and his left-arm angle is allowing him to hit awkward lengths really well.

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi started really well in the first ODI with the ball. He had a good new-ball spell but could not penetrate through the line-up with Afghanistan relatively under less pressure thanks to a smaller target. He is hitting good lengths though and that will be crucial as he looks to bring his side back to level.

AFG vs SA Match Tips

South Africa are the more experienced side but the first ODI will give Afghanistan a lot of confidence. Experience though could keep South Africa in the middle and it will be interesting to see how both sides cope up.

Match Prediction: Afghanistan Will Win The Match

AFG vs SA Match Preview

Everyone expected an intense three-match ODI series in Sharjah between Afghanistan and South Africa, but no one expected such a one-sided first match, with Afghanistan once again proving that they are a team to be implemented seriously in this format of the game. The Afghans can now complete a famous series win by winning either this or Sunday's third ODI, and after such a remarkable bowling performance on Wednesday, South Africa's batters will have to find a better way to deal with them in this game on Friday.

AFG vs SA Match Details

Afghanistan vs South Africa – 2nd Match, ODI Match

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah

Date & Time: 20th September 2024 at 05:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

AFG vs SA Venue Stats

AFG vs SA Pitch Report

Despite the bowlers dominating and the batters struggling, South Africa demonstrated the quality of the batting surface at the Stadium game.

AFG vs SA Weather Report

The conditions are expected to be very similar to what we saw in the first two games, with sunshine throughout and temperatures in the mid-twenties from start to finish.

AFG vs SA Last Five Matches

AFG vs SA Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Afghanistan Test captain Ben Stokes returns for Pakistan tour

AFG vs SA Probable Playing XIs:

South Africa Probable Playing XIs

Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

Afghanistan Probable Playing XIs

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Riaz Hassan, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Nageyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Topmost Picks for AFG vs SA Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – Afghanistan

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Rahmanullah Gurbaz hopes to give the team a strong start in this match and take some pressure off the middle order.
• Fazalhaq Farooqi – Fazalhaq Farooqi put up a brilliant display on the slow surface, sending half of the opposition’s team back to the dugout in 8 overs.

Top Picks – South Africa

• Wiaan Mulder – Wiaan Mulder was the only batter to hold his head up high after hitting 52 runs of South Africa's 106. Another strong performance in this ODI and he could well be pushed up the order.
• Lungi Ngidi – He has to rely on accuracy on a surface where some low-boucne can trouble the batters. 

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for AFG vs SA Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tristan Stubbs, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Reeza Hendricks, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan(VC), Bjorn Fortuin, Fazalhaq Farooqi(C), Lungi Ngidi

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for AFG vs SA Dream11 Team:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tony de Zorzi, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Reeza Hendricks, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Markram(C), Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai(VC), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Lungi Ngidi

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Fazalhaq Farooqi, Aiden Markram

Vice-captain – Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai

Wicketkeeper – Rahmanullah Gurbaz

AFG vs SA Probable Winners:

We expect South Africa to perform better in the second ODI, but they must have to produce far more using their bat to trouble Afghanistan's strong and exciting team. We predict that Afghanistan will win. Considering the team combination, Afghanistan is expected to win this match.

Afghanistan has their first ODI win against South Africa. They won with ease as well against an inexperienced, but not so young South African side. SSouth Africa will be feeling that they have a lot of catching up to do. While they are filled with some new names, the old names too such as Aiden Markaram and Lungi Ngidi will be backed upon to contribute. For Afghanistan though, a feature was their pace bowling which was really good, helping them tie the South Africans down on a tough batting track.

AFG vs SA Match Details

Date: September 20th, 2024

Time: 5:30 AM IST

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium

AFG vs SA Weather Report

The weather looks good with a lot of sun through the day and minimal chances of rain.

AFG vs SA Pitch Report

While Sharjah is known to have really small boundaries, the dryness and softness in the pitch has given bowlers a lot of support. There is a lot of movement and uneven bounce early on with batting second a better choice as batting can get better under lights.

AFG vs SA Predicted Playing XI

SA Playing XI

Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markaram, Tristin Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Jason Smith, Wiaan Mulder, Aiden Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi

AFG Playing XI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Riaz Hussain, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan, Am Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi

See Also: Today’s Cricket Match Predictions – Cricket Winner

AFG vs SA Key Players

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Afghanistan's left arm quick is showing a lot of improvement. He bowled really well in the first ODI with support from the pitch and his left-arm angle is allowing him to hit awkward lengths really well.

Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi started really well in the first ODI with the ball. He had a good new-ball spell but could not penetrate through the line-up with Afghanistan relatively under less pressure thanks to a smaller target. He is hitting good lengths though and that will be crucial as he looks to bring his side back to level.

AFG vs SA Match Tips

South Africa are the more experienced side but the first ODI will give Afghanistan a lot of confidence. Experience though could keep South Africa in the middle and it will be interesting to see how both sides cope up.

Match Prediction: Afghanistan Will Win The Match

After bundling out South Africa for only 106 runs, Afghanistan comfortably won the Sharjah ODI by six wickets. While it was their first victory against South Africa in any international cricket format, it was also the Afghans’ fifth-fastest ODI win.   

It was the first ODI of the three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and South Africa in Sharjah. It was also their first international cricket meeting outside any ICC tournament. Afghanistan made the historical match memorable by dominating the complete ODI match. 

Last June, Afghanistan had a heartbreaking exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after suffering a thrashing defeat against South Africa in the semi-final. In that game, Afghanistan were bundled out for only 56 runs on the tough batting pitch, and South Africa won that match by nine wickets. In the ODI series opener at Sharjah, Afghans set up a similar feeling for the Proteas.

SEE ALSO: Kamindu Mendis equals Test batting world record

South Africa were 36/7 at the end of the first powerplay

The left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and off-spinner AM Ghazanfar provided a solid start for Afghanistan, as South Africa were struggling at 36/7 in 10 overs. Although the no.7 batter Wiaan Mulder fought with 52 runs off 84 balls, South Africa were all out for only 106 runs. It was South Africa’s joint seventh-lowest completed ODI total. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi (4/35) took four wickets, while Ghazanfar (3/20) picked up three wickets. Also, the star leg-spinner Rashid Khan (2/30) claimed two wickets in that innings.  

Afghanistan won by six wickets with 144 balls remaining

In chasing, although Afghans lost their top-order batters cheaply, they never let their control out of their hands. Afghans were 38/3 as the openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) and Riaz Hassan (16), and the no.3 batter Rahmat Shah (8) lost their wicket early. Also, the captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was dismissed on 16 runs when Afghanistan were 60/4.

Azmatullah Omarzai and Gulbadin Naib comfortably ended the game with a 47-run partnership for the unbroken fifth wicket. Omarzai scored 25 not out and Naib scored 34 not out as Afghanistan chased down the target in 26 overs after losing four wickets.

Afghanistan won the ODI by six wickets with 144 balls remaining. It was their fifth-fastest ODI win. 

Afghanistan’s fastest ODI wins (Top 5)

South Africa have a horrible start in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah, as the Afghans bundled them out for only 106 runs in the ODI series opener. 

South Africa were 36/7 at the end of the first powerplay

Afghanistan left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi provided a great start while the teenage off-spinner AM Ghazanfar brought great support to him. Their dominance resulted in South Africa having a terrible start as they were struggling at 36/7 in 10 overs.  

Openers Reeza Hendricks and Tony de Zorzi had a 17-run opening partnership before Farooqi stormed the Proteas top-order batting line-up. In his second and third overs, Farooqi bowled Hendricks (9) and stand-in captain Aiden Markram (2), respectively. In his next over, the left-arm pacer dismissed De Zorzi for 11 runs.

Soon Ghazanfar joined Farooqi in the destructive action. In his fourth over, the teenage off-spinner took the wickets of Tristan Stubbs (0) and the debutant Jason Smith (0). Kyle Verreynne (10) was Ghazanfar’s next victim in his next over, while the horrible first powerplay ended with Andile Phehlukwayo’s run out for a duck. 

SEE ALSO: Kamindu Mendis equals Test batting world record

Fazalhaq Farooqi took four wickets

The no.7 batter Wiaan Mulder fought hard to rescue South Africa from the embarrassing situation. He had two fighting partnerships, a 39-run partnership with Bjorn Fortuin for the eighth wicket and a 30-run partnership with Nandre Burger for the ninth wicket.  

While Mulder scored 52 runs, Fortuin scored 16 runs. After Rashid Khan bowled Fortuin, Farooqi got his fourth wicket of the match by dismissing the desperate Mulder in his next spell. Rashid Khan completed the South African innings with the wicket of Lungi Ngidi (0). It was the first time that Afghanistan took all 10 wickets against South Africa in any international cricket match. 

Farooqi finished the innings with the bowling figures of 7-1-35-4. Meanwhile, Ghazanfar (3/20) took three wickets and Rashid Khan (2/30) bagged two wickets on his ODI return. 

• South Africa managed their joint seventh-lowest completed ODI total. 

South Africa’s lowest completed ODI totals (Top 10)

• Meanwhile, the 106 all-out was the seventh-lowest completed ODI total for a team against Afghanistan. 

Lowest completed ODI totals against Afghanistan (Top 10)

For South Africa, 27th June will be a day to remember as they make their way to their maiden final in an ICC World Cup. Aiden Markram’s men hammered Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan by nine wickets at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, advancing to the T20 World Cup 2024 final.

South Africa bowled Afghanistan out for 56 runs in 11.5 overs and chased down the target with more than 10 overs left in their innings. They entered the final match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as the only unbeaten team with already eight wins to their name. This convincing win over Afghanistan in the semi-final also brought an end to South Africa’s 32-year-long wait, breaking their semifinal jinx and setting the stage for a historic final.

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

Aiden Markram’s captaincy

Aiden Markram’s journey as captain has been remarkable. Stepping in for an injured Temba Bavuma, Markram has led the team with poise and determination. His leadership style, characterized by calmness, and strategic acumen, has been pivotal in South Africa’s success in the tournament so far.

See Also: “It is an opportunity we have never had,” Aiden Markram after beating Afghanistan in 1st Semi-final of T20 World Cup 2024

Markram has led his team to the World Cup final unbeaten throughout the tournament. South Africa have won all their eight matches so far, from the group stages to the Super Eight and then their win against Afghanistan during the semi-finals. They also beat the semi-finalists, England, during the Super Eight stage.

This is an impressive record as a captain of a team that has struggled to get past the knockout stage at the international level. He will be leading the South African team in the World Cup final on June 29, 2024.

The unwavering leadership

In March 2023, he was appointed as the captain of the South Africa cricket team in T20Is, ahead of their home series against the West Indies.

The dream many of his predecessors chased, only to fall short when it mattered most, is now within reach for the South African men’s team. Captain Aiden Markram has excelled in his decision-making, even though he has maintained a low profile.

Strategic mastery against the West Indies

Markram’s strategic brilliance was on full display in the must-win clash against the West Indies. He boldly used 12 overs of spin, including bowling himself. Markram did just that, securing a crucial win to advance to the semifinals at the expense of the co-hosts.

An unbeaten skipper

Markram is the only skipper in the world currently to win all the matches he has led across the U19 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup.

In 2014, he led South Africa to their only U19 World Cup win, a year when the senior Proteas reached the T20 World Cup semifinal. Markram guided the team to six unbeaten wins to claim the U19 title. He has also led the Proteas to victory in two ODI World Cup games.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, the Proteas have won eight matches in a row, equaling the record for most consecutive wins in the tournament’s history, alongside Australia.

Markram has now gone 10 matches unbeaten as captain in senior global events, joining Sune Luus as South African skippers to reach World Cup finals, with the latter doing so at the Women’s T20 World Cup last year on home soil.

Breaking the semifinal jinx

South Africa’s journey to the final is historic considering their past semifinal woes. Since their World Cup debut in 1992, the Proteas have been tagged as “chokers” due to their inability to progress beyond the semifinals despite having strong teams.

Every South African skipper, Kepler Wessels, Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Temba Bavuma, tried to break the jinx of the semi-final but didn’t succeed. Aiden Markram broke this jinx in the first try of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Aiden Markram’s leadership has been a revelation. From leading the U19 team to World Cup glory in 2014 to his unbeaten streak in senior global events, Markram has consistently proven his mettle as a leader. His success in domestic leagues and international tournaments underscores his tactical brilliance and ability to inspire his team.

Trophies Won as captain by Aiden Markram

1. ICC U19 World Cup 2014 for South Africa
2. SA20 2023 tournament for Sunrisers Eastern Cape
3. SA20 2024 tournament for Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Matches Won by Aiden Markram in ICC tournaments:

Following the nine-wicket defeat to South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup semi-final, Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan expressed disappointment with the loss but happiness with the team’s overall campaign, pointing to the success of pacers and spinners in this “great learning experience.”

The big match inexperience of Afghanistan was visible as their batting line-up folded for just 56 runs, thanks to fiery spells from pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen in the powerplay and Tabraiz Shamsi’s spin.

See Also: “It is an opportunity we have never had,” Aiden Markram after beating Afghanistan in 1st Semi-final of T20 World Cup 2024

Rashid Khan’s leadership

Rashid Khan’s journey as captain has been nothing short of inspirational. Leading a young and relatively inexperienced side, Rashid has been the cornerstone of Afghanistan’s cricketing resurgence. His tactical acumen, combined with his ability to motivate and lead by example, has had a profound impact on the team’s performance throughout the tournament.

Semi-Final match against South Africa

In the semi-final clash against South Africa, Afghanistan faced a stern test. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan struggled against South Africa’s fierce bowling attack. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada quickly dismantled the top order, reducing Afghanistan to 28/6.

Despite a brief counterattack by Karim Janat and skipper Rashid Khan, Afghanistan was bowled out for a paltry 56 runs in 11.5 overs. The Proteas chased down the target with ease, losing only one wicket in the process.

Post-Match reactions

In the post-match presentation ceremony, Rashid Khan highlighted the challenging conditions and praised the South African bowlers for their exceptional performance.

“It was tough, tough for us as a team. We might have done better but the conditions did not allow us to do what we wanted. That is how T20 cricket is, you need to be ready for all conditions,” Rashid remarked.

Despite the loss, he expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance and the valuable lessons learned.

Bowling success

Afghanistan’s campaign saw standout performances from their seamers and spinners. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi were instrumental in providing early breakthroughs, while Rashid Khan himself was a consistent threat with the ball.

The skipper praised his bowlers, stating, “I think we got good success in this tournament because the seamers bowled really well, you need good starts. I think they bowled really well. I think we got good success in this tournament because the seamers bowled really well, you need good starts. I think we were unlucky with Mujeeb’s injury, but our seamers and even Nabi bowled brilliantly with the new ball. That made our job easier as spinners.”

Batting struggles

The semi-final highlighted Afghanistan’s struggles with the bat, particularly on challenging pitches. The top-order collapse against South Africa underscored the need for greater resilience and adaptability in difficult conditions. Rashid acknowledged this, pointing out the need for improvement in the middle-order to take the innings deep and handle pressure situations better.

“We know we have the skills, it is just about managing tough situations, pressure situations. There is some work to be done, especially in the middle, in order to take the innings deep. As I said, it is always learning for our team, and we have achieved good results so far, but we come back doing more hard work, especially in the batting department,” he added.

Team belief and confidence

Despite the semi-final loss, Rashid Khan emphasized the belief and confidence gained from their performances. Reaching the semifinals for the first time is a significant achievement for Afghanistan cricket, and it has instilled a sense of belief that they can compete with the best teams in the world.

“We have enjoyed this tournament. We will accept playing a semi-final and losing to a top side like Africa. It is just the beginning for us, we have the confidence and belief to beat any side. We just need to keep our processes going.” Rashid Khan added.

After guiding South Africa to their maiden T20 World Cup final, skipper Aiden Markram urged his players to stay calm and it’s an best opportunity to win ICC title. South Africa demolished Afghanistan by nine wickets in the first semi-final and now await the winners of the second last-four clash between India and England.

Aiden Markram’s journey as Captain

Aiden Markram’s rise to captaincy has been a journey marked by consistent performances and a clear vision for the team. His leadership style, characterized by calmness and strategic acumen, has instilled confidence in the squad. Markram’s impact as a captain has been profound, driving the team to new heights and fostering a cohesive unit ready to tackle any challenge.

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

Semi-Final match against Afghanistan

In the semi-final against Afghanistan, South Africa delivered a dominant performance. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan struggled against South Africa’s fierce bowling attack.

Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada quickly dismantled the top order, reducing Afghanistan to 28/6. Despite a brief counterattack by Karim Janat and skipper Rashid Khan, Afghanistan was bowled out for 56 runs in 11.5 overs.

Markram’s post-match comments

In the post-match presentation ceremony, Markram emphasized the importance of staying calm and embracing the opportunity to compete in their first T20 World Cup final.

“It is one more step for us, it is an opportunity we have never had, nothing to be scared of,” Markram stated, highlighting the significance of this achievement for the team.

Bowlers’ brilliant performance

South Africa’s bowlers were exceptional, with Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada setting the tone early in the innings. Jansen, who took three wickets in his opening spell, and Rabada, who contributed with crucial breakthroughs, played pivotal roles. Wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi also chipped in with three wickets, further dismantling the Afghan batting lineup.

“We were brilliant with the ball, got it in the right areas and kept it really simple. The bowlers have been incredible for us.”

Batting challenges on a tricky pitch

The pitch at Tarouba offered pronounced seam movement, making batting challenging. Despite the conditions, Markram and Reeza Hendricks navigated the chase effectively. Markram acknowledged the difficulty of batting on such a pitch, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and adapting to the conditions.

“It was challenging with the bat, as no batter is going to lie and tell you it was easy out there. We had a bit of luck and then got a bit of a partnership.”

Team effort and squad depth

Markram praised the collective effort of the entire squad, noting that world-class performances stem from a united team effort.

“We have some world-class players in the side, but like I said, it takes a whole squad to be able to deliver such a performance,” he remarked. This unity and depth in the squad have been crucial to South Africa’s success in the tournament.

Preparing for the final

As South Africa prepares for the final, Markram and the team will focus on both mental and physical readiness. Whether facing India or England, the team will need to devise strategies to counter their opponents’ strengths while leveraging their own. Markram’s calm and composed leadership will be vital in maintaining the team’s focus and confidence.

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.