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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 picked up 3 wickets for just 6 runs in his sho𒐪rt 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) s🍌titched together a solid partnership of 55 for th🃏e second wicket, ensuring a comfortable chase.
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 f✅or the lowest-ever total i🐟n T20 World Cup semi-final
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 th🦩e 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 way to the final. bowlers𝔍 did it again! Semi final curse done an✃d dusted 🫣
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage)
A new finalist. Well done to and all t🎶he best for the final 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa)
//x.com/KassNaidoo/status/1806154927342833809
🥹🥹🥹🥹
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777)
South Africa reach the finals of a T20 World Cup♒ for the f🌊irst time
— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
//twitte🔯r.com/ProteasMenCSA/status/1806159361158365408
Not exactly the ending we hoped for in this , but hats off to for an unforgettable🌜 performance throughout the event. 🙌
Congratulations to for securing their first-ever finalꦺ berth in World Cup cricket. �⛎�
&mda🗹sh; Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials)
South Africa reached World Cup Final for the fir🌼st time. Aiden Markram Making History in his first World Cup as Captain❤️🔥
— Abdullah Zafar (@Arain_417)
Congratulaꩵtions to for reܫaching 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)
