T20 WC: South Africa, end Afghanistan’s dream run, reach finals

South Africa’s all-round performance led them to a convincing victory over Afghanistan in just 8.5 overs, securing their first-ever final appearance in the Cricket World Cup.

The Proteas chased down the target of 57 with nine wickets in hand in the first semifinal of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The Aiden Markram-led side will now face the winner of the second semifinal, either India or England, in the final on Saturday at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Despite a shaky start, with wicketkeeper-batter Quinton De Kock dismissed in the second over when the team score was just 5, South Africa quickly stabilized. Captain Aiden Markram joined opener Reeza Hendricks at the crease, and the two built a steady partnership.

By the end of the powerplay (6 overs), the Proteas were 34/1, with Markram (12) and Hendricks (15) unbeaten. They reached the fifty-run mark in 8.4 overs and clinched the win in 8.5 overs, both remaining not out. Hendricks scored 29 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and a six, while Markram contributed 23 runs from 21 balls, with four boundaries.

For Afghanistan, left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi took the lone wicket, conceding 11 runs in his two-over spell.

Earlier, electing to bat first, Afghanistan struggled as pacer Marco Jansen dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, for a three-ball duck. Afghanistan was 4/1 in the first over. Despite a couple of boundaries from Gulbadin Naib, Jansen’s delivery bowled him out for nine, leaving Afghanistan at 16/2 in 2.3 overs.

Kagiso Rabada exploited gaps in the Afghan batters’ defenses, dismissing Ibrahim Zadran (2) and experienced all-rounder Mohammed Nabi (0), reducing Afghanistan to 20/4 in 3.4 overs. Jansen continued his excellent form, catching Nangeyalia Kharote behind for just two runs, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 23/5 in five overs.

By the end of six overs, Afghanistan was 28/5, with Karim Janat and Azmatullah Omarzai at the crease. However, Omarzai’s catch to Tristan Stubbs off Anrich Nortje’s delivery further hampered Afghanistan’s efforts, bringing the score to 29/6 in 6.3 overs.

Skipper Rashid Khan and Karim Janat briefly resisted the South African attack, with Rashid hitting Rabada for two fours. However, the partnership ended when Shamsi trapped Karim leg-before-wicket for eight runs. Shamsi then dismissed Noor Ahmed for a duck, and Nortje bowled Rashid for eight runs. Afghanistan’s innings concluded at 56 all out in 11.5 overs after Shamsi took the final wicket, removing Naveen ul Haq for two runs.

Jansen (3/16) and Shamsi (3/6) were the standout bowlers for South Africa, supported by Rabada (2/14) and Nortje (2/7).

Brief Score:
South Africa: 60/1 in 8.5 overs (Reeza Hendricks 29*, Aiden Markram 23*, Fazalhaq Farooqi 1/11)
Afghanistan: 56 (Azmatullah Omarzai 10, Gulbadin Naib 9, Marco Jansen 3/16)