South Africa dropped Afghanistan on Wednesday with a nine-wicket victory with more than 11 overs to reach the T20 World Cup 2024 final.
Visit M88 Sports for more T20 World Cup 2024 news and other cricket updates.
Check out M88 Mansion’s best offers here.
SOUTH AFRICA DROPS AFGHANISTAN IN T20 SEMIS BEHIND JANSEN, RABADA, MARKRAM
South Africa dropped Afghanistan behind impressive performances by Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.
Skipper Aiden Markram also delivered for the Proteas.
Pacer Jansen (3-16) combined with left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3 for 6) to lead the rout over Afghanistan for just 56 off 11.5 overs after they chose to bat.
Furthermore, fast bowlers Rabada and Anrich Nortje kept the pressure with two wickets apiece in their semifinal match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.
Moreover, Markram (23 not out) and Reeza Hendricks (29 not out) saw Afghanistan off at 60 for one off 8.5 overs.
Their exploits powered South Africa to Saturday’s final in Barbados.
The Proteas will take on the winner of the England-India semifinal match in Guyana.
MARKRAM READY FOR ‘EXCITING CHALLENGE’ FOR SOUTH AFRICA IN FINAL
Furthermore, Markram is ready for an “exciting challenge” facing first-time finalist South Africa.
“One more step – it’s an exciting challenge for us. We’ve never been there (in a final) before, and nothing to be scared of,” the skipper said.
“It’s an opportunity that we’ve never had and we’ll be really excited about that opportunity,” he added.
South Africa has been into the semifinals seven times.
They lost six and tied one – against Australia in 1999 – in either the one-day or Twenty20 (T20) formats.
“We assessed pretty early that the wicket was giving us something to work with so it was just about sticking to our plans,” Jansen said.
RASHID KHAN RUES ‘TOUGH NIGHT’ FOR AFGHANISTAN
Moreover, captain Rashid Khan rued a “tough night” endured by Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Only Azmatullah Omsarzai (10) reached double figures for Afghanistan, whose technical deficiencies were thoroughly exploited by the South Africans.
“It was a tough night for us as a team, but that’s how it goes in T20s,” Khan said.
“You need to be mentally ready for any kind of situation. They bowled exceptionally and we just couldn’t bat well,” he added.
Interestingly, Rashid cited Afghanistan’s impressive run to the semifinals – including its first win over Australia – should inspire them in the future.
“It was something very special for us. So overall, it was a great tournament for us,” the Afghan skipper said.
