T20 World Cup 2024: Semi-Final 1, SA vs AFG: Live Updates, Commentary, Scores, and More
South Africa will take on Afghanistan in Semi-Final 1 of the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 27.
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That's all, people
This was all we had to offer from the coverage of the first semi-final between Afghanistan and South Africa.
Before we sign off, you can check the funniest memes from the match that had the internet laughing out loud.
Also, do join us for the second semi-final, as we bring live updates from the evening game (morning in the Caribbean) here. Goodbye!
Here's what the captains said at the toss
Aiden Markram | South Africa Captain: Feels good. It's not only the captain that gets you here, it is a massive squad effort. Plenty of guys behind the scenes as well. Fortunate to have lost the toss, we would have batted too. We were brilliant with the ball, got it in the right areas and kept it really simple. The bowlers have been incredible for us. It was challenging with the bat, no batter is going to lie and tell you it was easy out there. We had a bit of luck and then got a bit of a partnership. We have had a few close games and a few people back home would have woken up early with more grey hairs. Glad today was a bit more comforting. (On the final) It is one more step for us, it is an opportunity we have never had, nothing to be scared of. This win means a lot, we have some world class players in the side but like I said, it takes a whole squad to be able to deliver such a performance.
Rashid Khan | Afghanistan Captain: It was tough, tough for us as a team. We might have done better but the conditions didn't allow us to do what we wanted. That's how T20 cricket is, you need to be ready for all conditions. I think they bowled really well. I think we got good success in this tournament because the seamers bowled really well, you need good starts. I think we were unlucky with Mujeeb's injury, but our seamers and even Nabi bowled brilliantly with the new ball. That made our job easier as spinners. We have enjoyed this tournament. We will accept playing a semi-final and losing to a top side like Africa. It is just the beginning for us, we have the confidence and belief to beat any side. We just need to keep our processes. This has been a great learning experience for us. What we take from the competition is the belief. We know we have the skills, it is just about managing tough situations, pressure situations. Some work to be done, specially in the middle order to take the innings deep. As I said, it is always learning for our team and we have achieved good results so far but we come back doing more hard work, specially in the batting department.
Marco Jansen is the Player of the Match
For his brilliant three-wicket haul in the match, Marco Jansen was awarded the Player of the Match.
Marco Jansen, Player of the Match: Awesome feeling. The guys played really well, we executed perfectly. We just wanted to stick to our plan, bowl good lengths and see how the wicket reacts. The wicket was getting a bit open, and it was about keeping it simple. (On Markram) He is awesome to have as a captain. We'll enjoy tonight and be on our way again.
YESSSSSSS. South Africa have done it
First-ever World Cup final for South Africa. Hendricks hits the winnings runs, and it has surely been their best performance in this tournament so far. A win by 9 wickets, and more than 11 overs remaining. Wow! Amazing, absolutely amazing!
SCORES LEVEL
A free hit brings six runs, and the scores are level.
The Proteas are sailing smoothly
A confident stroke by Markram brings a boundary for the Proteas.
End of 5 overs
SA are 26/1 after five overs.
FOUR
A boundary for Aiden Markram off the inside-edge. Almost chopped it onto the stumps, but SA won't mind. The skipper follows that boundary with a beautiful off-drive this time round. Result, the same.
End of 4 overs
A boundary to end the fourth over, as SA score seven runs in Farooqi's 2nd over.
Markram is lucky, indeed
There was a slight appeal for caught behind, but the umpire remain unmoved. On being asked, Gurbaz, the keeper, gestured he didn't hear anything. Afghans eventually don't go for a review, which eventually shows that there was an edge on ultra-edge. Amen!
Okay, then!
Fazalhaq Farooqi - 17* wickets
— Omkar Mankame (@Oam_16) June 27, 2024
The most by any bowler in a single T20 World Cup! ππ»
BOWLED'EM
You miss, I hit, says Farooqi. Quinton de Kock goes for a big swoosh, only to miss the line of the ball completely. The first wicket is down, and Afghans would believe in not giving up just yet.
FOUR
The 1/10th of the target has been scored by SA, as Quinton de Kock dispatches Farooqi's first ball to the fence. Pitched full, and de Kock got enough bat on it to place it in the gap on the leg side towards the mid-wicket region. The desperate Afghan fielder chases the ball but to no avail.
Excellent start for Naveen
Just a run from the first over, as Naveen finds swing early to keep the openers thinking. SA are 1/0 after the first. Just to add to the context, Afghanistan had scored 4 runs in the first over.
The SA openers are out at the centre!
The live action resumes as Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock make their way out in the middle. Nothing daunting, unless Afghan bowlers have planned something else. Naveen-ul-Haq it is for Afghanistan!
Unbeaten South Africa (SA) will take on the giant killers Afghanistan (AFG) in Semi-Final 1 of the T20 World Cup 2024, at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, on (Thursday) June 27. Notably, the Proteas have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament to display their domination. On the other hand, Afghanistan have made a resurgence and cemented their place in the semi-finals after beating the likes of Australia, New Zealand, and Bangladesh on their way to carve their history.
South Africa have been marred by the βchokersβ tag as they have failed to win the ICC silverware since 1988. Afghanistan have entered the knockouts of any ICC event for the first time and they are high on confidence beating some of the best in the business. Their bowling has been at par as they have defended the low totals and South Africa will be placing their bets on the likes of Quinto de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, and Heinrich Klaasen to provide the much-needed boost.
The big task at the hands of Proteas would be to dismantle the opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The pair has been providing early start for the Afghans and when they fail to do so, the team has struggled. The strength of South Africa lies in their middle order and the opening pair. Afghanistan would be hoping to exert pressure by claiming some early wickets in the powerplay.
Probable Predicted XIs:
South Africa (SA):
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi
Afghanistan (AFG):
Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
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