In a dominating performance, South Africa defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets to secure their place in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024. The match took place at Trinidad’s Brian Lara Stadium, where the Proteas showcased their exceptional bowling and batting skills to cruise to victory.

Afghanistan’s Struggle with the Bat

After opting to bat first, Afghanistan faced a fierce South African bowling attack. In just 11.5 overs, South Africa bowled out the Afghan team for a mere 56 runs. South Africa’s left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3 for 6) and pacer Marco Jansen (3 for 16) led the demolition. Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje contributed significantly, taking two wickets each and maintaining relentless pressure on the Afghan batsmen.

The Afghan innings struggled from the start, with opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz falling early to Jansen. This set the tone for a series of quick wickets, with key batsmen like Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi failing to stabilize the innings. By the end of the play, Afghanistan was reeling at 28 for 5, and they could not recover from this setback.

South Africa’s Chase

Chasing a modest target of 57, South Africa lost Quinton de Kock early. Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled him, taking his tournament-leading 17th wicket. However, this was the only hiccup in an otherwise smooth chase. Reeza Hendricks (29 not out) and captain Aiden Markram (23 not out) ensured South Africa reached 60 for 1 in just 8.5 overs, sealing their place in the final.

A Historic Win for South Africa

This victory marks South Africa’s first-ever entry into a T20 World Cup final, breaking their semifinal jinx in global tournaments. The winner of the second semifinal, which will take place in Guyana between title-holders England and unbeaten India, will now face the Proteas.

Afghanistan’s Journey

Despite the heavy loss, Afghanistan can hold their heads high for their impressive run in the tournament. However, the semifinal clash left them emotionally drained and unable to produce the resilience they had shown throughout the tournament. The team’s top-order players, including Gurbaz, Zadran, and Omarzai, who had been leading run scorers, managed only 12 runs combined on this crucial day.

Bowling Masterclass by South Africa

The South African bowlers delivered a masterclass in pace and spin. Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje ripped through Afghanistan’s lineup, while Tabraiz Shamsi’s leg-spin applied the finishing touches. Afghanistan’s batting lineup was unusually edgy and failed to cope with the relentless South African attack on a pitch that offered no hidden dangers.

Looking Forward

As South Africa prepares for the final in Barbados, they have exorcised the demons of past semifinal exits. Afghanistan, despite their semifinal loss, has shown significant progress and potential in this tournament, promising exciting performances in future competitions.

Stay tuned for the upcoming final, where South Africa will aim to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for the first time.