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South Africa continued their winning streak in this tournament by defeating Afghanistan in the semifinal. It was the first semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, and the Proteas reigned victorious. The semifinal match happened today at 6 a.m. IST at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.
With the win, South Africa eliminated Afghanistan and advanced to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This is their first-ever final of the T20 World Cup. Now, the Proteas will rest and wait for their contender for the final on June 29. The second semifinal between India and England tonight will decide the contender for the final.
Here’s How The Proteas Defeated Afghanistan
It was a low-scoring game for the first semifinal in Trinidad and Tobago. Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first. However, their decision proved to be lethal for themselves. Much hope was laid for the top scorer openers of Afghanistan, but they performed poorly. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 0, while Ibrahim Zadran scored 2. Only Azmatullah Omarzai scored 10, the highest in the team. As a result, the team fell to just 56 in 11.5 overs.
The bowlers of South Africa did an excellent job of restricting Afghanistan to 56. The bowlers took five wickets in the first five overs and ravaged the batting line-up of Afghanistan. Fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada ripped the top order of Afghanistan. While N=Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi did the remaining job.
The Afghan players couldn’t read the bowling of South Africa’s fast bowlers. The fast bowling trio of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Anrich Nortje together picked up seven wickets. Marco Jansen and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi were the top performers. Jansen’s bowling figures were 3-16 in 3 overs, and Shamsi’s bowling figures read 3-6 in 1.5 overs.
Chasing 57 was an easy job for South Africa. However, they lost Quinton de Kock early on the score of 5 in the second over. Fazalhaq Farooqi, the top wicket-taker of the tournament, got de Kock. Reeza Hendricks scored 29 in 25 balls with 3 fours and a six. Aiden Markram scored 23 in 21 balls with 4 fours. Hence, the Proteas comfortably chased down 57 in 8.5 overs.
South Africa To Play Their First Final
Today is a historic day for South African cricket. For a team that has the ‘chokers tag’ and is known for ‘choking in knockout matches, this win is crucial. Today is historic because South Africa has earned their first-ever berth in a Men’s World Cup final. With today’s win, the Proteas continue their unbeaten streak in the tournament, which is up to eight matches.
South Africa will be desperate to win an ICC title. To win the T20 World Cup 2024 title, they would have to play one more match in the final on June 29. The winner of today’s second semifinal between India and England will take on the Proteas in the final.