Afghanistan’s impressive journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 concluded disappointingly as South African bowlers dismantled their batting lineup, securing a place in their first ICC final with a commanding 9-wicket victory on June 27, Thursday. Afghanistan managed only 56 runs in less than 12 overs, struggling against a formidable South African attack led by Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje. The Trinidad pitch proved extremely challenging for the batsmen, becoming a nightmare scenario for Afghanistan.
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The Proteas quickly chased down the target, marking their breakthrough in ICC knockouts to secure a spot in the final in Barbados on June 29, Saturday. The game’s momentum was established from the outset when Rashid Khan chose to bat first after winning the toss in Trinidad. Marco Jansen made an immediate impact by dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over. Afghanistan found brief respite in the second over bowled by Keshav Maharaj, but the onslaught resumed from the third over onwards, continuing the Proteas’ dominant performance.
Jansen continued his dominance by dismissing Gulbadin Naib, followed by Kagiso Rabada removing Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi in quick succession, leaving Afghanistan in a dire situation. The wickets kept falling as Kharote and Omarzai failed to resist the Proteas’ attack.
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Rashid Khan and Karim Janat briefly steadied Afghanistan with a 22-run partnership, but Tabraiz Shamsi intervened by dismissing Janat and Noor. An altercation earlier in the match between Nortje and Rashid culminated with Nortje getting the better of Rashid’s stumps, before Shamsi wrapped up the innings. Afghanistan’s total of 56 runs marks the lowest score by a team in a T20 World Cup semi-final.
South Africa faced a shaky start in their innings with the pitch still favoring the pacers. Fazalhaq Farooqi capitalized by removing Quinton de Kock early, offering Afghanistan a glimmer of hope. Aiden Markram survived an early scare with a missed chance off a nicked ball, which went unreviewed, and he capitalized on this reprieve. Markram, along with Reeza Hendricks, navigated through the tough conditions and efficiently chased down the target within 9 overs to secure South Africa’s place in the final.
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