United States: South Africa has won by nine wickets with over 11 overs to spare, crushing Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup hopes. This victory secured South Africa’s spot in the final of the cricket tournament for the first time.
South Africa struck early, taking eight wickets in the opening ten overs of the innings and bowling Afghanistan out for just 56.
Marco Jansen, with figures of 3/16 from three overs, Kagiso Rabada, who took 2/14 from three, and Anrich Nortje, who secured 2/7 in three overs, led South Africa’s stellar performance. Tabraiz Shamsi wrapped up the innings, claiming 3/16 in just 11 balls.
In a Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final, it’s the first time a side has bowled out their opponent for less than 100. After six overs, South Africa’s top order calmly pushed Afghanistan to deploy Rashid Khan within the Powerplay as they chased just 57. They were at 34/1.
Within nine overs, Reeza Hendricks (29) and Aiden Markram (23) eliminated any Afghan danger to chase down the target, even after Quinton de Kock (5) was removed early by Fazalhaq Farooqi (1/11).
To start things off, Jansen claimed Rahmanullah Gurbaz with an outside edge to Reeza Hendricks with the final ball of the opening over. In his second over, he overcame Gulbadin Naib’s defences (9). On the other side, Rabada completed a double-wicket maiden to start his night with two dot balls from Nangeyalia Kharote after he mishandled the stumps of both Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi in the span of four balls.
Returning for a third over, Jansen trapped Kharote while gloving a pull shot down the leg-side to Quinton de Kock. Nortje then came in to help, getting rid of Azmatullah Omarzai (10).
In an attempted counterattack, Anrich Nortje joined in by dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai (10 off 12), but Tabraiz Shamsi finished the job by taking the wickets of Karim Janat (8), Noor Ahmad (0), and Naveen-ul-haq lbw.
Fazalhaq found early movement and easily defeated De Kock, but Hendricks and Markram held off Afghanistan’s late blows by trying five bowlers in the 8.5 overs.
South Africa will play the winner in Barbados on June 29 and will be waiting for the outcome of the India vs. England semi-final on Thursday morning.
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