South Africa end Afghan fairy tale to make maiden T20 World Cup final

Afghanistan, who made their first semifinal in T20 World Cup, were bowled out for a paltry 56.

• Shubham
• 27 June, 2024

By: Shubham Ghosh

A CLINICAL South Africa qualified for their maiden T20 World Cup final with a resounding nine-wicket win over Afghanistan in the semifinal at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. The Proteas put themselves in pole position to reach the final after they bowled out Afghanistan for a paltry 56. They then raced to the target with 67 balls to spare.

Earlier opting to bat, things went awry for the Afghans as South Africa pacers made optimum use of the substantial seam movement on offer.

Afghanistan were in complete disarray as they lost half their side inside the Powerplay.

Read: Afghanistan make T20 World Cup semifinals for 1st time; Australia eliminated

The pace trio of Marco Jansen (3/16), Kagiso Rabada (2/14) and Anrich Nortje (2/7) shared seven wickets among themselves while spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3/6) claimed three wickets.

Read: Taliban shoo away fans celebrating at home Afghanistan’s massive cricket feat

Azmatullah Omarzai with his 10 off 12 was the top-scorer for Afghanistan.

Brief Scores:

Afghanistan 56 all out in 11.5 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 10; Tabraiz Shamsi 3/6, Marco Jansen 3/16)

South Africa 60 for 1 in 8.5 overs overs (Reeza Hendricks 29, Aiden Markram 23 not out; Fazalhaq Farooqi 1/11)

(PTI)