South Africa crushes Afghanistan to reach its first men’s World Cup final

South Africa’s cricket transformation has resulted in their first appearance in the final of an ICC men’s event since 1998, as they ended Afghanistan’s dream run in the first semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Trinidad. Instead, the Proteas, seemingly devoid of old baggage, have won their first men’s World Cup (T20, ODI) semifinal in eight attempts and will face 2007 champions India in the final. 

On a fresh, spicy pitch, South Africa’s pacers ignited the team’s charge, bowling Afghanistan out for 56 in just 11.5 overs, their lowest score in the format. It was also the lowest total in an ICC knockout match. Marco Jansen (3-16), Kagiso Rabada (2-14), and Anrich Nortje (2-7) all claimed seven wickets, while Tabraiz Shamsi added three lower-order scalps to his tournament total to put an end to Afghanistan’s batting woes. Despite the concerns from the surface, South Africa sealed a nine-wicket victory, sealed with 67 balls to spare. You can find the match highlights of this semi-final below. 

This match was probably a disappointment for those involved in t20 betting online. 

Innings summary

Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s tournament strategy is based on their openers batting long and getting near to a par score before their superior bowling attack exerted scoreboard pressure on the opposition. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran were separated in the opening over of the semifinals for a total of only two runs. Jansen bowled two short deliveries to the tournament’s leading run-scorer before pulling a false shot with a fuller one, which Gurbaz nicked to first slip and fell for a duck.

Gulbadin Naib, batting at No.3, hit two boundaries before falling in Jansen’s second over to a ball that curved into him and maintained a touch low, crashing into the off-stump. Aiden Markram was quick to respond and immediately removed Keshav Maharaj from the attack after beginning with him. Kagiso Rabada came on to bowl a double-wicket maiden, getting two deliveries to seam in and smashing down the stumps of right-handers Zadran and Mohammad Nabi. Jansen had Afghanistan five down after getting Nangeyalia Kharote to glove a short delivery to the keeper.

South Africa had more pace to offer, and Nortje swiftly extended his lead to 28/6 when Azmatullah Omarzai’s counter-attack was intercepted by a fielder at sweeper cover. Captain Rashid hit back-to-back boundaries from Rabada, but he too was clean-bowled by a quick Nortje delivery. The tail had little chance against Shamsi, who won three LBW appeals to bring his tournament wicket count to 11 from only four games.

Read More about –India vs England Semi -Final Highlights:

South Africa

The pitch continued to reveal devils – ascending steeply or rolling towards the ankle from the same position along the entire length – but South Africa were able to ride their luck. Quinton de Kock was hit in the ribs and worked over by Fazalhaq Farooqi, who bowled him two outswingers before casting him with one that curled back in. At the other end, Naveen-ul-Haq should have had Aiden Markram, but no one heard the outside edge save Rashid, therefore a review was not conducted. Afghanistan’s fast bowlers lacked some height and velocity, resulting in slightly less variety on the surface. The meager total allowed Markram and Reeza Hendricks to gradually approach the target.

South Africa had little left to hunt for after the PowerPlay, as the batting duo of Markram and Hendricks needed only 17 balls to lead their team home. They were apprehensive about the bounce on the surface, but the South African captain hit a pair of brilliant drives on the rise. Hendricks sealed South Africa’s attendance in Barbados with a six and four off Azmatullah Omarzai.

As a bettor, if you’re looking at exciting cricket betting odds, then you must focus on a lot of these talented South African players who could leave their mark in the final. 

Brief scores: Afghanistan 56 in 11.5 overs (Tabraiz Shamsi 3-6, Marco Jansen 3-16, Anrich Nortje 2-7, Kagiso Rabada 2-14) lost to South Africa 60/1 in 8.5 overs (Reeza Hendricks 29*, Aiden Markram 23*; Fazalhaq Farooqi 1-11) by 9 wickets

Also, Check –ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Semi Final and Final List -2024 Match Schedule

Match Scorecard

Afghanistan Inning CRR:4.73

South Africa (Bowling)

South Africa Inning CRR:6.79

Afghanistan (Bowling)

Read About- ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Winner List: 2024

More information

This article features written highlights from  semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. There is also an online page called the IPL 2024 Orange Cap List that provides current information on the T20 World Cup and IPL 2024.