T20 World Cup: South Africa vs. Afghanistan; SA defeats AFG for the lowest total

South Africa Crushes Afghanistan with Record Low Total in T20 World Cup

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Omkar Devadkar

Last Updated: 2024-06-27 07:12:19

Summary: Breaking the semi-final curse, South Africa defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets to get to their first final.

South Africa defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets to advance to the World T20 Cricket Cup final for the first time. At Trinidad's Brian Lara Stadium, the Proteas easily reached the winning target after holding Afghanistan to 56 runs. They closed with a score of 60-1.

After opting to bat, South Africa's left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3 for 6) and pacer Marco Jansen (3-16) led the way in destroying an unsure Afghanistan batting lineup for just 56 off 11.5 overs.

With two wickets each, fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje kept up the constant pressure. After Fazalhaq Farooqi's tournament-leading 17th wicket, South Africa lost Quinton de Kock early in response on a surface that helped all bowlers but left Afghanistan with too little to defend.

But at 60 for one off 8.5 overs, South Africa was led by skipper Aiden Markram (23 not out) and batter Reeza Hendricks (29 not out).

Afghanistan, who finished ahead of Australia in Super 8s Group 1 to get to the semi-finals, were simply blown away by South Africa on the shaky surface, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) to the sixth ball of the match as the opener edged Jansen behind.

Jansen bowled Gulbadin Naib (9) with a nip-backer in the third over, while Rabada castled Ibrahim Zadran (2) and Mohammad Nabi (0) in the fourth. Jane struck again in the fifth over when Nangeyalia Kharote (2) gloved a short ball down the leg side.

The Proteas will meet the winners of Thursday's second semi-final between title holders England and unbeaten India in Guyana in the final on Saturday in Barbados.