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, marking a historic day for South African cricket.

Rabada and Jansen set the tone

The victory was set in motion by a fierce spell of fast bowling from Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. The duo dismantled Afghanistan’s top order in the powerplay, leaving their innings in tatters. Jansen started the onslaught by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over, and Afghanistan never recovered from this early blow. Jansen delivered perfect lengths to send back two more batters, while Rabada also struck twice in his first over, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 23/5 in five overs.

Shamsi and Nortje continue the assault

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

Afghanistan’s historic low 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. Despite their struggles, Afghanistan’s left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi made history by becoming the bowler with the most wickets taken in a single edition of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Farooqi’s record-breaking performance

Farooqi’s performance was one of the few bright spots for Afghanistan. He dismissed Quinton de Kock with a ball that nipped back in and ended with figures of 1/11 in two overs. In the ongoing tournament, Farooqi has taken 17 wickets in eight games at an average of 9.41 and an economy rate of 6.31, with the best bowling figures of 5/9. He surpassed the previous record held by Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who took 16 wickets in the 2021 edition held in the UAE.

South Africa’s chase

In reply, South Africa’s new bowlers bowled valiantly, and Fazalhaq Farooqi got the wicket of Quinton de Kock early. However, the target was too small, and after playing out the first few overs, Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks found their hitting zone. Markram played some classy strokes, while Hendricks finished off the game with a six and a four. The target was chased down in under nine overs, marking a historic day for South Africa and a day to forget for Afghanistan after an otherwise impressive campaign.

Markram and Hendricks shine

South African skipper Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks ensured there were no hiccups in achieving the modest target. Hendricks scored 29* in 25 balls with three fours and a six, while Markram contributed 23* in 21 balls with four boundaries. Their calm and composed approach took South Africa to the winning score in 8.5 overs.

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

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 campaign, though ending on a low, featured some standout performances, particularly from Fazalhaq Farooqi, whose record-breaking feats will be remembered in T20 World Cup history.

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.

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.

In a high-stakes semi-final clash at the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan found themselves in deep trouble against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. With five wickets down inside the powerplay, the Proteas are well on their way to making their first major ICC final.

South Africa’s strong start

The match began with South Africa’s bowlers on fire. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada dominate within the first six overs, giving South Africa a dream start in their pursuit of a final berth.

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

Afghanistan’s struggles

Afghanistan’s innings began on a shaky note, with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. The early breakthroughs by Jansen and Rabada left Afghanistan reeling, and the team struggled to find any momentum.

Marco Jansen’s performance

Marco Jansen was instrumental in South Africa’s strong start. He made early inroads, removing key Afghan batsmen and setting the tone for the rest of the innings. His precise bowling and ability to exploit the conditions were key factors in his success.

Kagiso Rabada’s double-wicket maiden

Kagiso Rabada’s spell was equally devastating. He bowled a double-wicket maiden that further deepened Afghanistan’s woes. Rabada’s pace and accuracy left the Afghan batsmen with no answers, and his over was a turning point in the match.

Afghanistan’s Resilience

Despite the early setbacks, Afghanistan tried to stabilize their innings. Omarzai provided some respite with a boundary and a few singles, but the team continued to struggle against the relentless South African attack.

Omarzai played a crucial role in trying to rebuild the innings. Mohammad Nabi’s wicket was another blow to Afghanistan. Rabada’s delivery nipped back sharply, knocking over Nabi’s stumps and leaving Afghanistan in deeper trouble. Nabi’s quick departure meant Afghanistan lost a key experienced player early on.

Ibrahim Zadran’s early exit was a significant setback. Rabada’s screamer of a delivery beat his inside edge and clipped the bail.

Gulbadin Naib showed some fight with a couple of boundaries, but his resistance was short-lived. Jansen bowled him with a fuller delivery that swung late, ending Naib’s brief stay at the crease.

South Africa’s dominance in powerplay

South Africa’s performance in the powerplay was dominant. They took five crucial wickets, stifling Afghanistan’s scoring opportunities and setting a solid foundation for the rest of the match. The first six overs saw Afghanistan score only 28 runs, highlighting South Africa’s control.

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