South Africa Thrash Afghanistan to Reach First Men’s T20 World Cup Final – Jansen and Rabada Star
South Africa vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup 2024 Semi-Final
In a historic T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final encounter, South Africa dominated Afghanistan, winning nine wickets to reach their first-ever Men’s World Cup final. The comprehensive win is a major milestone for the Proteas, who have extended their unbeaten run in the tournament to eight matches, thanks to outstanding performances from Marco Johnson and Kagiso Rabada.
South Africa’s win was made possible by exceptional bowling. The Truba pitch, known for its difficult conditions, offers both lateral movement and bounce, which Johnson and Rabada took advantage of brilliantly. Within the first five overs, Afghanistan found themselves at 20 for 5, their top order in tatters.
Johnson, using his height and bounce of the pitch, struck in the first over. Afghanistan’s leading batsman of the tournament Rahmanullah Garbaz slipped a delivery to give Johnson his first wicket. He then bowled Gulbuddin Naib through the gate to put Afghanistan in more trouble. Rabada’s opening over was a game-changer. He made a double-wicket debut, first ending Ibrahim Zadran’s mid-stump and then dismissing Mohammad Nabi with a ball that rolled off-stump. Rabada’s accurate bowling destroyed Afghanistan, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Afghanistan’s top five in the pavilion and their middle order struggled throughout the tournament as the team could not cope. Enrique Nortje and Tabriz Shamsi then took charge, ensuring that the Afghan batsmen were given no respite. Nortje added to Afghanistan’s woes by removing Azmatullah Omarzai, the only batsman to be caught in the deep. Later, he bowled Rashid Khan, which further destroyed Afghanistan’s innings. Shamsi, bowling right-handed down the leg-stump line, picked up three lbws, each of which was reviewed but upheld by the umpires, bringing Afghanistan’s fortunes to 56 all out – the highest in T20Is. I am the lowest sum of them.
Chasing a modest target of 57, the South African openers faced some early challenges. Afghanistan’s leading wicket-takers Fazlul Haq Farooqui and Naveen Haq aimed to secure an early win in the tournament. Farooqui was successful in his first over, setting Quinton de Kock up with outswingers before his stumps were uprooted. This early loss brought Aidan Markram to the crease alongside Aida Hendricks. Despite the tough pitch, Markram and Hendricks ensured there were no further hiccups. He took advantage of every loose delivery, effectively easing the pressure by scoring 13 runs in the fifth over. Their unbreakable partnership took South Africa to victory in the ninth over and sealed victory with 67 balls to spare.
Key performances and stats: Marco Johnson took 3 for 16, Kagiso Rabada 2 for 9, and Tabriz Shamsi 3 for 6. Raza Hendricks remained unbeaten on 29 off 22 balls. South Africa’s journey to the final was nothing short of remarkable. He displayed a combination of powerful batting and lethal bowling while remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Their victories over top teams like India and Australia have shown their ability and resilience.
In the group stage, South Africa topped their group thanks to the consistent performance of their key players. Along with the explosive batting of Quinton de Kock, the fire of Rabada and Nortje also played an important role in their success. His quarter-final match against New Zealand was another proof of his ability. Defending a competitive total, the South African bowlers held their nerve to secure a narrow win, sending them through to the semi-finals.
The tour of Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 is a mixed bag. He mastered the pitch but struggled with consistency. Important victories against the likes of Pakistan and Sri Lanka highlighted his potential, but his inability to perform under pressure cost him in key matches. Highlights of Afghanistan’s tournament included a thrilling victory against Pakistan that boosted their confidence and Rashid Khan’s consistent all-round performances. However, their reliance on a few key players and lack of depth in the batting line-up came against strong teams.
As South Africa prepares for their first World Cup final, they face a formidable challenge. Whether they are up against England or India, both teams have considerable strength. South Africa’s bowlers, particularly Rabada and Johnson, will play a key role in exploiting any weaknesses in the opposition’s batting line-up. This tournament has provided a valuable lesson for Afghanistan. The need for a more balanced team and better handling of stressful situations are obvious areas for improvement. With young talent like Rahmanullah Garbaz and experienced campaigners like Rashid Khan, Afghanistan has the potential to make a strong comeback in future tournaments.
South Africa’s comprehensive victory over Afghanistan not only secured their place in the final of the T20 World Cup but also showed their growth as a cricketing powerhouse. A combination of aggressive fast bowling, sharp fielding and calm batting under pressure marked their journey to the final. As the cricketing world waits for the final showdown, South African fans can celebrate a historic achievement, hoping their team can continue this form and win their first T20 World Cup title.
In contrast, Afghanistan’s spirited campaign, despite the semi-final defeat, will be remembered for its moments of brilliance. His journey highlights his rapid growth in international cricket, setting the stage for more competitive performances in the future. The match, a tale of two contrasting fortunes, reflects the unpredictable and thrilling nature of T20 cricket, promising an exciting climax to the T20 World Cup 2024.
