Trinidad: Chasing a modest target of 57 runs set by Afghanistan, South Africa achieved it in 8.5 overs with just one wicket down, securing their place in the historic final. The final match, scheduled for 8 PM on the 29th, will see South Africa facing the winner of the India-England semifinal.
Quinton de Kock, who scored five runs off eight balls, was the only South African batsman to be dismissed, bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Reeza Hendricks (29 off 25 balls) and captain Aiden Markram (23 off 21 balls) remained unbeaten, leading South Africa to an easy victory with 67 balls to spare. Marco Jansen, the South African pacer who took three wickets for 16 runs in three overs, was named the player of the match.
This defeat marks the end of Afghanistan’s valiant journey in the T20 World Cup. Despite the loss, Afghanistan leaves Trinidad with their best-ever World Cup performance, having defeated New Zealand in the group stage and Australia in the Super 8. However, their campaign ended in a dismal loss in the semifinal. Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi emerged as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets. Aiden Markram, who led South Africa to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2014, now holds the record as the captain who led the senior team to its first World Cup final.
Afghanistan Collapses
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Afghanistan was bowled out for 56 runs, the lowest score in a knockout stage in international cricket. The previous lowest score was 62 by Botswana against Uganda in the ACA Cup semifinal last year. This is also Afghanistan’s lowest score in T20 cricket history.
Afghanistan’s batting line-up crumbled against South Africa’s bowlers, losing five wickets before the powerplay ended and managing to bat only for 11.5 overs. South Africa took consistent wickets, starting with the dismissal of Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck on the last ball of the first over.
Azmatullah Omarzai was the top scorer for Afghanistan with 10 runs off 12 balls, with no other batsmen reaching double figures. Three Afghan players were dismissed for ducks. South African pacer Marco Jansen and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took three wickets each, while Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets each.
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