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Fans, it’s finally time for South Africa vs. Afghanistan in the semifinal one of the T20 World Cup 2024. Mark your calendars for June 27 because semifinals one and two are waiting for you on the same day. The semifinal one will start at 6 a.m. IST, and the semifinal two between India and England will start at 8 p.m.
The South Africa vs. Afghanistan match will be held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. In the semifinals, the tournament will eliminate the losing team and send them home. The team on the winning side will head to the finals held on June 29.
Unbeaten South Africa vs. Inexperienced Afghanistan
South Africa has not lost a single match in the ongoing tournament. The team is in form and looking to continue their winning streak. The past ICC tournaments have shown that South Africa doesn’t do well in knockout matches. The team will enter the semifinal with a single goal: win no matter what. It’s the first semifinal of Afghanistan, but South Africa shouldn’t underestimate them. Because the Afghans know how to fight and win.
Afghanistan just lost two matches in the ongoing tournament. They are undoubtedly having a dream run in the tournament and want to keep it that way. Do not forget that this is their first-ever semifinal in an ICC tournament. The team plays well, but can they handle the pressure of big matches? The pressure of semifinals and finals is way different than in other matches.
Players To Watch Out For
South Africa:
Opener Quinton de Kock is the highest run scorer for the Proteas. Quinton is number six in most runs in the ongoing tournament, with 199 runs in seven games. He has scored two fifties in seven matches. He can be lethal as an opener, as seen in the IPL.
Aiden Markram is a destructive batsman who can turn the game around. He provides stability in the middle order. However, he has not performed up to his level in the tournament so far, but we can’t underestimate him.
Kagiso Rabada has taken 10 wickets in seven matches so far. His bowling figures of 3-18 are the highest in the ongoing World Cup. He can do the job for the Proteas. He is one of their main fast bowlers, besides Anrich Nortje.
Afghanistan:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz leads the tournament with 281 runs in seven matches. Gurubaz scored decent runs with an average of 40.14. He has three fifties to his name in the ongoing tournament. He can rest because he sustained an injury in the last match against Bangladesh.
Ibrahim Zadran is the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament, with 229 runs at an average of 32. He has two fifties in the ongoing tournament. He and Gurbaz are the opening pair for Afghanistan, and they have the batting line-up on their shoulders. If these two scored runs, it would be so good for Afghanistan.
Fazalhaq Farooqi is the top wicket-taker in the tournament, with 16 wickets in 7 matches. He, along with Rashid Khan, have the bowling line-up on their shoulders. Rashid has taken 14 crucial wickets in seven matches. While Naveen-ul-Haq has taken 13 wickets in 7 matches.
South Africa vs. Afghanistan – Likely Playing Eleven
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamzi.
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz/Hazaratullah Zazai, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat/Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Rashid Khan (c), Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Form guide:
South Africa: W W W W W (most recent first)
Afghanistan: W W L L W
Weather Conditions
Cloudy weather is expected at the stadium in Tarouba. However, the chances of rain are low on Wednesday night. If the rain threatens, officials have chosen a reserve day for June 27 in case the match is abandoned.