South Africa reaches final of ICC T20 World Cup for first time, beats Afghanistan by 9 wickets

In the semi-finals of ICC T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa defeated Afghanistan by 9 wickets and made it to the final. This is for first time that S Africa has entered final of World Cup. It has lost in the semifinal on 7 occasions.

South Africa stopped Afghanistan's innings at 56 runs. After this, South Africa, chasing the target of 57 runs, won the match in just 8.5 overs.

Talking about the match, Afghanistan had decided to bat first after winning the toss. Afghanistan, who came out to bat first, were all out after scoring 56 runs in 11.5 overs. From Afghanistan's side, only Azmatullah Omarzai could score 10 runs, no other player could even touch the double digit mark.

Afghanistan captain Rashid also returned to the pavilion after scoring just eight runs. In the powerplay, Afghanistan scored only 28 runs after losing five wickets. At the same time, after 10 overs, Afghanistan's score was 50 runs after losing eight wickets.

Jansen and Shamsi took three wickets each

For South Africa, Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi took three wickets each. Jansen gave 16 runs in three overs and dismissed three batsmen, while Shamsi took three wickets for six runs in just 1.5 overs. Kagiso Rabada and Enrique Norkhia took two wickets each.

Afghanistan's 13 runs came from extras

Out of Afghanistan's total 56 runs, 13 runs came from extras, which included six byes, six wides and one run from leg bye. 

At the same time, South Africa's team, which came out to chase the target of 57 runs in the second innings, got the first setback in the second over. Quinton de Kock was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi for five runs.

After this, the pair of Reeza Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram settled down at the crease. After the power play ended, South Africa's score was 34 runs after losing one wicket.

On the other hand, South Africa completed 50 runs after losing one wicket in 8.3 overs. For the second wicket, Hendricks and Markram scored 50 runs in 42 balls. Marco Jansen, who took three wickets, was chosen as the Player of the Match.

Second semi-final match between India and England 

Now the second semi-final match is to be played between India and England on the evening of 27 June. Whichever team wins this match will face South Africa in the final. South Africa has reached the final of an ICC tournament for the first time and in the current World Cup, South Africa has not lost a single match.