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In a dominant display, South Africa thrashed Afghanistan by 9 wickets in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.
Afghanistan folds for meagre 56
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan’s innings crumbled under superb South African bowling. The entire batting line-up was dismissed for a mere 56 runs in just 11.5 overs.
Marco Jansen was the wrecker-in-chief for South Africa, claiming a spectacular 3 wickets for only 16 runs in his 3 overs. Kagiso Rabada (2/14) and Anrich Nortje (2/7) chipped in with crucial wickets as well, while Tabraiz Shamsi p🌳icked up 3 wickets for just 6 runs in his short spell.
South Africa cruise to victory
Chasing a paltry target of 57 runs, South Africa batters Reeza Hendricks (29 off 25) and Aiden Markram (23 off 21) 🙈stitched together a solid partnership of 55 for the second wicket, ensuring a comfortable ch🌱ase.
Hendricks, in particular, played a crucial knock, smashing 3 fours and a six to take the game away from Afghanistan. South Africa reached the target in just 8.5 overs, losing only the wicket of Quinton de Kock (5) early on.
Also READ: Fans in shock as South Africa packs Afghanistan for the lowest-ever total in T20 Wor💯ld Cup semi-fina🧸l
Player of the Match
Marco Jansen’s brilliant bowling performance, which included dismissing the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck, was adjudged Player of the Match. With this emphatic victory, South Africa marches on to the finals of the T20 World Cup, while Afghanistan’s dream run in the tournament comes to an end.
Here are the reactions of fans and cricket experts on South Africa’s victory:
We’re in the Finals
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49)
Couldn’t 📖be happier for and the team, one more to go.
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49)
It’s emotional down here.
We’re into a final— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62)
Great to see and his merry men on the wa♓y ♑to the final. bowlers did it again! Semi final curse done and dusted 🫣
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage)
A new finalist. Well done to and all the best for the fin🎶al 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa)
//x.com/KassNaidoo/status/1806154927342833809
🥹🥹🥹🥹
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777)
🌜South Africa reach🎐 the finals of a T20 World Cup for the first time
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
🟡🟢 FINALS BOUND |
The dream continues, South Africa! ✨🇿🇦🚀
📖 For the first time in history, the Proteas are through to the ICC T20 World Cup Final🍸s. See you in Barbados! 🏟️
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
Not exactly the ending we hoped for in this ,♔ but hats off to for an unforgettable perform𝔍ance throughout the event. 🙌
Congratulations to for securing ♔their first-ever final berth in World Cup cricket. 👍
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBoffic🍎ials)
South Africa reached World Cu🌞p Final for the first time. Ai🅷den Markram Making History in his first World Cup as Captain❤️🔥
— Abdullah Zafar (@Arain_417)
Congratulations toꦡ for reaching the final of the ෴ 🙌
— Seattle Orcas (@MLCSeattleOrcas)
The only other time the South Africa's men's team reached a final of an ICC event was way back in 1998, when the side won the inaugural ICC Knock out tournament (now called the Champions Trophy) at Dhaka.
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman)
