Picture : ICC / X
Perennial chokers South Africa aiming to prove critics wrong stormed into the T20 World Cup final, trouncing Afghanistan by nine wickets in the first semi-final in Trinidad . After bundling out the shell- shocked Afghanistan whose batting fell like pack of cards for just 56 in 11.5 overs they hit up the required runs in with 67 balls to spare.
Reza Hendricks smashed 29 from 25 balls while Aiden Markram hit 23 from 21 as the Proteas finally ended their jinx and made it to their first ever World Cup final after bowing out in the semis seven times.
It is the first time a team was dismissed for under 100 in a semi-final of a T20 World Cup.
Kagiso Rabada (2/14) and Anrich Nortje (2/7) ripped the soul out of Afghanistan’s top-order, reducing them to 28 for 5 inside the Powerplay, before their innings folded in just 11.5 overs.
Rashid Khan won the toss and opted to bat and it was nightmare from the start. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was the first to perish, chasing Jansen’s delivery outside the off-stump, giving Reeza Hendricks an easy catch at slip.
Gulbadin Naib was consumed by a lovely in-coming delivery by Marco Jansen.
Ibrahim Zadran, on whom a lot was riding for the Afghans, did not move his feet against a Rabada delivery that came back a bit. There was enough room for the ball to sneak past his bat and pad and rattle Zadran’s leg-stump. Mohammad Nabi ( 0), Rashid Khan ( 8) , Nangeyalia Kharote ( 2), Karim Janat ( 8) , Noor Ahmad ( 0). Afghans were bundled out for mere 56 in 11.5 overs
Match: T20 World Cup, 1st Semi-Final
Venue: Trinidad | Date: June 26, 2024
