In the upcoming first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa, who have maintained an unbeaten record, will go head-to-head against Afghanistan.

South Africa and Afghanistan

South Africa secured their spot in the semi-finals after navigating through some nail-biting encounters, notably their crucial victory in the final over against West Indies. On the other hand, Afghanistan, under the astute leadership of their charismatic captain Rashid Khan, strategically navigated through Group 1 of the tournament. Their impressive wins against strong contenders like Australia and Bangladesh solidified their place in the final four.

South Africa’s probable playing XI for the Semifinal 1 game against Afghanistan:

1. Quinton de Kock (wk)
2. Reeza Hendricks
3. Aiden Markram (c)
4. Heinrich Klaasen
5. David Miller
6. Tristan Stubbs
7. Marco Jansen
8. Keshav Maharaj
9. Kagiso Rabada
10. Anrich Nortje
11. Tabraiz Shamsi

Key players to watch out for the South Africa:

Quinton de Kock (wk):

• Aggressive Opening Batting: Quinton de Kock is known for his explosive batting at the top of the order. His ability to score quickly and dominate the opposition bowlers in the powerplay overs provides South Africa with strong starts and sets a positive tone for the innings.
• Wicketkeeping Skills: As a wicketkeeper, de Kock’s quick reflexes and sharp glovework are crucial for South Africa. His ability to take key catches, effect quick stumpings, and provide vocal guidance behind the stumps adds significant value to the team’s fielding efforts.

Kagiso Rabada:

• Pace and Strike Bowling: Rabada is South Africa’s premier fast bowler, known for his raw pace and ability to take wickets with the new ball. His aggressive bowling style and skill in generating bounce and movement off the pitch make him a constant threat to opposition batters.
• Death Overs Specialist: Rabada’s ability to bowl accurately in the death overs is crucial for containing the opposition’s run-scoring. His yorkers, slower balls, and ability to handle high-pressure situations make him a key player in the final overs of an innings.

Heinrich Klaasen:

• Middle-order Stability and Power: Heinrich Klaasen is a vital player in South Africa’s middle order. His ability to stabilize the innings and accelerate the run rate when needed makes him a key asset. Klaasen’s power-hitting capability allows him to play aggressive shots and score quick runs, particularly in the middle and death overs.
• Versatility with the Bat: Klaasen’s versatility to adapt to different match situations, whether building an innings or finishing strong, adds depth to South Africa’s batting lineup. His experience and ability to perform under pressure make him an important player in limited-overs cricket.

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Afghanistan’s probable playing XI for the Semifinal 1 game against South Africa:

1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
2. Ibrahim Zadran,
3. Hazratullah Zazai
4. Gulbadin Naib
5. Najibullah Zadran
6. Azmatullah Omarzai
7. Mohammad Nabi
8. Rashid Khan (c)
9. Noor Ahmad
10. Naveen-ul-Haq
11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Key players to watch out for Afghanistan:

• Rashid Khan (C):
  • Spin Bowling Maestro: Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s premier spin bowler and captain. His ability to bowl accurate leg-spin with variations in pace and flight makes him a constant threat to opposition batters. Rashid not only contains runs but also picks up crucial wickets in all phases of the game.
  • Leadership: As the captain, Rashid provides strategic guidance and boosts team morale. His experience in international cricket and tactical acumen play a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s performance.
• Mohammad Nabi:
  • All-round Consistency: Mohammad Nabi is known for his all-round abilities, contributing with both bat and ball. His off-spin bowling is effective in restricting opposition batters, particularly in the middle overs. Nabi’s experience and calm demeanor add stability to Afghanistan’s middle order batting.
  • Finisher: Nabi’s role as a finisher in the batting lineup is crucial. His ability to accelerate the run rate and score quick runs towards the end of innings often proves decisive in close matches.
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk):
  • Wicketkeeper-Batter: Rahmanullah Gurbaz provides solidity as a wicketkeeper-batter at the top of the order. His aggressive batting style and ability to score quick runs give Afghanistan momentum in the powerplay overs.
  • Fielding Skills: Gurbaz’s role behind the stumps ensures the team maintains high standards in fielding. His agility and quick reflexes contribute to crucial dismissals and prevent extra runs.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024 Semifin?als: Teams, Matc??h Date, Timings & Reserve days

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Afghanistan acquired their place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a commanding 7-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea (PNG). The match, held at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad & Tobago saw Afghanistan’s bowlers dominate, led by a stellar performance from left-arm seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Fazalhaq Farooqi’s double strikes

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan opted to field first, a decision that paid off as his fast bowlers quickly dismantled PNG’s top order. Farooqi spearheaded the attack, taking two crucial wickets after PNG captain Assad Vala‘s careless run-out in the second over opened the floodgates.

On the first ball of the third over, Farooqi bowled a length delivery just outside off, which did not swing back in but continued with the angle. Lega Siaka nibbled at it, and the ball took the outside edge. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, showing excellent athleticism, dived to his right to take a stunning catch. The very next ball saw Farooqi bowl another length delivery, which decked back sharply after pitching. Sese Bau had to pl??ay at it, and the ball grazed the inside edge. Gurbaz once again flew to his right, snaring another brilliant catch.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar p?asses on a crucial advice to Virat Kohli for regaining form in T20 World Cup 2024

Naveen-ul-Haq then joined hands with Farooqi to further decimate the PNG batting line-up. He rattled the stumps of Tony Ura and Hiri Hiri, reducing PNG to 30/5 by the end of the powerplay. PNG needed a period of consolidation, and Chad Soper and Kiplin Doriga managed to do that for a brief while, scoring 16 runs off? 24 balls. However, a mix-up resulted in Soper being run out in the tenth over.

PNG’s struggle with the bat

Doriga attempted to stabilize the innings with some quick runs  against Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad. Alei Neo also punished the seamers and added 38 runs off 34 balls with Doriga for the seventh wicket. Nevertheless, once Doriga was trapped lbw by a wrong’un from Noor, PNG’s resistance crumbled. They lost their last three wickets for just seven runs, eventually being bowled out for a modest 95 runs.

Afghanistan’s comfortable chase

Chasing a target of 96, Afghanistan was given an early scare but were steered home by Gulbadin Naib, who scored an unbeaten 49 runs off 29 balls. Naib’s aggressive knock ensured Afghanistan reached the target comfortably, registering a 7-wicket victory with 29 balls to spare.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2024: Wazhma Ayoubi & others erupt as Afghanistan record historic win ov??er Papua New Guinea

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The stage is set for an electrifying clash as India and West Indies gear up for their first T20I encounter of the five-match series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium on Thursday (August 3). The Men in Blue will be riding high on the momentum after a historic 200-run series-clinching victory over West Indies in the recently conclud??ed ODI leg, marking their 13th consecutive ODI series triumph against the Windies.

Having already sealed the Test and ODI series, India now has its sights set on claiming the shortest format as well. On? the other hand, the Caribbean side will be determined to bounce back and try their best not to let the visitors take away the T20I ser?ies.

Both teams ??will be looking to start their campaign on a high note. However, India will have an advantage as they won the ODI series decider at the same venue.

Also READ: India faces major setback as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul likely to miss Asia Cup 2023

T20I stats and records at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium:

It is worth mentioning that the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium has hosted only one T20I so fa??r, and this will be the second time any international short T20 game will be played at this venue. The previous match played at the stadium was also between West Indies and India. On that note, let’s have a look at some stats and records from that game.

• Highest total: 190/6 (India)
• Lowest total: 122/8 (West Indies)
• Highest individual score: 64 (Rohit Sharma)
• Best bowling figures: 2/22 (Ravichandran Ashwin)
• Highest partnership: 52-run stand (Dinesh Karthik – Ravichandran Ashwin)

Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium Pitch Report:

The pitch at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba has proven to be a tou??gh nut to crack for batters. Although the venue has hosted only one T20I, the 34 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) matches clearly reflect the slow nature of the pitch, with an average first innings score of 141 runs. Notably, no match at the ground witnessed the target surpassing the 190-run mark. Howe??ver, spinners will have a great advantage in the game and will receive immense help from the track.

Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium Weather Forecast:

The weather at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba is expected to be cloudy and is likely to experience some showers with a little chance ??of precipitation. Nevertheless, spectators and players can anticipate the match to take place despite the interruptions. The temperature is expected to hover around 27 degrees Celsius with humidity levels to be around 88% and the wind blowing at ??a speed of 2 Km/hr.

WI vs IND 1st T20I, Probable XIs:

West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, R??ovman Powell (c), Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy, Oshane Thomas.

India: Yashasvi Jaisw??al, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (c), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kuma??r.

Also READ: Hardik Pandya lashes out at Cricket West Indies; here’s the reason

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