In a dominant display of cricketing prowess, South Africa triumphed over Afghanistan by nine wickets in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, securing their place in the final. The match, held in Georgetown, saw South Africa deliver a near-perfect performance, showcasing their strength in both bowling and batting.
Afghanistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, struggled to find momentum against a formidable South African bowling attack. Marco Jansen set the tone early with an impressive new-ball spell, dismissing key Afghan batsmen and finishing with figures of 3 for 15. Tabraiz Shamsi further dismantled the Afghan batting lineup, claiming three crucial wickets and limiting Afghanistan to a modest total of 115 runs.
In response, South Africa’s opening pair, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks, laid a solid foundation. Although De Kock was dismissed early by Fazalhaq Farooqi, Hendricks continued to dominate the Afghan bowlers, scoring an unbeaten 68. Captain Aiden Markram provided robust support, remaining not out at 35, as South Africa chased down the target with ease, finishing at 116 for 1 in just 12.4 overs.
This victory propels South Africa into the final, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and England. The final match is scheduled for June 29 in Providence Stadium.
