Afghanistan, the giant slayers of the tournament who stunned New Zealand, Australia, and Bangladesh, were brought crashing down to earth by a dominant South African bowling performance in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, Afghanistan’s batting lineup faltered dramatically. They could only muster a meagre total of 56 runs before being bowled out in 11.5 overs and setting a target of 57 runs for South Africa.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s solitary double-digit score of 10 runs was a bleak highlight for Afghanistan. None of the other batsmen could manage even a single run in double figures. South Africa’s bowlers were relentless, with Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi picking up three wickets apiece. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje chipped in with two wickets each, dismantling the Afghan batting order with clinical precision.
South Africa in Command, India Up Next:
With Afghanistan restricted to a paltry 56 runs, South Africa are firmly in control of the first semi-final. The Proteas will be looking to chase down the target with minimal fuss and secure their place in the final.
The other semi-final clash between India and England will be played later tonight, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the T20 World Cup.
