South Africa’s cricket renaissance has propelled them into the final of an ICC men’s event for the first time since 1998. The Proteas ended Afghanistan’s fairy-tale run with a resounding victory in the first semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup in Trinidad. Breaking a long-standing jinx, South Africa clinched their first men’s World Cup (T20, ODI) semifinal win in eight attempts and now await the winner of the heavyweight clash between India and England in Guyana.
On a fresh, spicy pitch, South Africa’s pacers spearheaded the team’s charge, skittling Afghanistan for a mere 56 in just 11.5 overs – their lowest total in T20 internationals. Marco Jansen (3-16), Kagiso Rabada (2-14), and Anrich Nortje (2-7) shared seven wickets among them, while Tabraiz Shamsi cleaned up the tail to bring Afghanistan’s innings to a swift conclusion. Despite the challenging surface, South Africa chased down the target with ease, securing a nine-wicket victory with 67 balls to spare.
The toss proved crucial. Both captains expressed a desire to bat first, but it was Rashid Khan who won the toss and elected to bat. However, his decision backfired spectacularly as the South African bowlers found swing, seam, and variable bounce to torment the Afghan batters.
Afghanistan’s success in the tournament had hinged on solid starts from their openers. But in this semifinal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran were separated in the first over with just 2 runs on the board. Jansen dismissed Gurbaz for a duck, drawing a false shot with a fuller delivery. Gulbadin Naib, promoted to No.3, hit two boundaries but fell to Jansen’s second over as a ball shaped into him and crashed into the off-stump. Kagiso Rabada then struck twice in a double-wicket maiden, removing Zadran and Mohammad Nabi to leave Afghanistan reeling. Jansen returned to claim his third wicket, reducing Afghanistan to 5 for 28.
The onslaught continued with Nortje dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai. Rashid Khan managed to hit back-to-back boundaries off Rabada but was soon bowled by Nortje. The tailenders were no match for Shamsi, who took three wickets to close the innings at 56.
Despite the tricky pitch, South Africa’s batters managed to navigate the chase. Quinton de Kock was bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi after being worked over with outswingers. Aiden Markram survived a scare when an edge off Naveen-ul-Haq was not reviewed. With a low target and Afghanistan lacking the pace to fully exploit the pitch, Markram and Reeza Hendricks steered South Africa to victory. Hendricks sealed the win with a six and a four off Omarzai.
