South Africa vs Afghanistan ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 Full Scorecard

FOUR! DONE AND DUSTED! SOUTH AFRICA IS HEADING TO BARBADOS FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER T20 WORLD CUP FINAL! This is bowled full in length, and angles on the off stump, Reeza Hendricks presents the full flourish of the willow and drives it downtown past mid off for a boundary to seal the deal. South Africa maintains their unbeaten merry way in this tournament winning the first semifinal by 9 wickets. Happy emotional faces all around the South African camp. And it was just not meant to be for Afghanistan.

SIX! Just beyond the ropes and the scores are level now! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs it short and it rises up with the bounce on the bodyline, Reeza Hendricks bends a bit and manages to pull it all the way over deep square leg for a six. Also, that brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

Full in length, and on the fourth stump line, Aiden Markram takes the front foot out and goes for an expansive drive through covers but inside edges it to square leg for a single. Oh, wait! Azmatullah Omarzai has overstepped here and the umpire calls a No Ball. Free-Hit to follow now.

Wild swing and a miss there! Short and jagging back in sharply, Aiden Markram goes for a pull shot but the ball pings his body.

FOUR! In a hurry now! Gloriousness written all over it! Offers more width on the back of a length, Aiden Markram hits it on the rise and gets it over mid off for a boundary.

On the back of a length, outside off, Reeza Hendricks caresses it on the up through the cover-point gap for a single.

Bowls it full in length and outside off, Aiden Markram drives it nicely but finds backward point. South Africa need only 14 runs to win now and they have all the time in the world to do so.

FOUR! Pulled away powerfully! Short in length, and on the top of the off and middle, Aiden Markram stands tall, rides on the bounce and pulls it using his wrists over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Almost a half-tracker on the off stump, Reeza Hendricks punches it through covers for a single.

Hard length and outside off, Reeza Hendricks pushes it to covers off the bottom half of the bat.

The last thing Afghanistan would want is sloppiness in the field! Back of a length, nipping away from outside off, Reeza Hendricks slices it off the outer half of the bat towards deep third where Karim Janat fumbles to pick it cleanly and allows the batters to cross for the double.

Gulbadin Naib comes into the attack and hurls it outside off at just 119 kph, Aiden Markram waits for the ball to arrive, and goes back and across before slashing it through covers for a single.

Now this one takes off! Hard length, and outside off, it climbs on the bounce. Reeza Hendricks camps back and punches it straight to covers.

Well bowled! In the channel of uncertainty around off, stays low once again. Reeza Hendricks gets beaten on the outside edge as he plays inside the line of the ball.

Outside off, on a length with a variable bounce that keeps viciously low. Reeza Hendricks anticipates the ball to bounce but adjusts his shot hopping back and blocking it out.

Angles it on the pads, on a length, Aiden Markram whips it and beats Noor Ahmad at mid on for a single.

On the top of off, on the back of a length, Aiden Markram climbs on the bounce and plays it to mid on with a horizontal bat.

Stays low on the bounce on the middle and leg, Aiden Markram hops and jams his bat down in time to block it out back to the bowler.

FOUR! Hendricks says, Thank You! Rashid Khan serves a juicy half-volley around off, Reeza Hendricks plants his front foot ahead and clears the 30-yard circle going inside out over covers for a cracking boundary. End of the mandatory Powerplay and South Africa are 34/1.

A wrong'un that keeps very low after pitching around off. It turns sharply back into the batter and Reeza Hendricks can only block it out off the back foot.

Bowls it slow this time, on the stumps and full in length, Reeza Hendricks takes a huge stride out and defends it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

Pushes it quicker and flatter on a fuller length, on the leg stump line, Aiden Markram goes for a hoick across the line but gets a thick inside edge that rolls towards deep fine for a single.

On a length, and on the middle, Reeza Hendricks works it off the back foot to widish long on for a single.

Pitches it right in front of the stumps, on a fuller length, Reeza Hendricks goes deep inside the crease and tucks it in front of deep mid-wicket and quickly runs two.

Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack now.

Touch fuller, on middle, Reeza Hendricks pats it towards mid on for a quick single. 13 runs off the over then!

Uppish but safe! Back of a length and on off, takes off again, Aiden Markram gets surprised by it and hangs his bat away, the ball goes off the splice and clears covers, Rashid Khan chases it down and saves one there as the batters run three.

Naveen-ul-Haq goes for the bouncer but this one goes above the batter, Aiden Markram leaves it alone. Wided.

FOUR! Nothing streaky about this one! Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this on a good length and just outside off, Aiden Markram takes a half-stride out, opens the face of his bat, and drives it on the up with perfect timing as the ball zips past covers like a tracer-bullet for another boundary.

FOUR! Streaky and these will hurt Afghanistan a lot! Hard length and around off, nips back in sharply and with extra bounce, Aiden Markram tries to play at it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls away to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Halt! Aiden Markram calls for a new bat as this one gets stung on the bottom. It dramatically stood low on the bounce, and Markram is evidently not happy with the way it hit the toe-end. He selects the new bat and is ready to continue.

Length again and on off, Aiden Markram tries to drive but the ball keeps low and takes the toe-end of his bat to roll towards mid off.

On a length and on middle, Aiden Markram stays back and blocks it out well.

FOUR! Good shot! Fazalhaq Farooqi takes pace off again and serves this full, outside off, Reeza Hendricks waits for it this time and drills it through cover-point for a boundary.

Goes for the loopy yorker, but bowls a full toss, on off, Reeza Hendricks gets deceived by the lack of pace and only manages to push it to covers.

Another full delivery, on middle, Reeza Hendricks knocks it with a straight bat wide of mid on for a brace.

Overpitched and on off, Reeza Hendricks connects with his drive nicely this time but hits it straight to mid off.

Full again but a bit too outside off this time, Reeza Hendricks leaves it alone. Wided.

Full and outside off, Reeza Hendricks tries to reach for it but gets an inside edge just past the stumps to short fine.

On a length and on off, Reeza Hendricks steers it towards point.

Hurls it on a length, slightly around off, Aiden Markram takes his front foot ahead and drives it to mid off from the inner half of the bat. A very quiet over from Naveen-ul-Haq. Three overs done it's 6/1.

Take that! Naveen-ul-Haq bangs this one hard on the pitch, on off, this one takes off lethally, Aiden Markram just about manages to sway away from it.

BEATEN! Pulls his length back a bit around off, angles in, and then straightens after hitting the deck, Aiden Markram goes for the drive on the up but misses as Rahmanullah Gurbaz collects it behind the stumps. Rashid Khan thinks that there is an edge but he gets no support from the others. Oh...wow! The spin maestro was right here as UltraEdge shows a spike when the ball passes the bat. Afghanistan misses out there! South Africa could've been 6/2 had they gone upstairs for this one. Distraught faces in the Afghan camp, and rightly so!

Full again and on middle, shaping in, Aiden Markram blocks it out this time.

Goes fuller and on off, Aiden Markram pushes it towards covers.

Just short! Naveen-ul-Haq goes back of a length and outside off, Reeza Hendricks slashes at it but gets a thick outside edge towards deep third, Azmatullah Omarzai runs forward but the ball just lands in front of him. They cross.

Short of a length and on middle, Aiden Markram stays back and blocks it out.

The South African skipper, Aiden Markram walks out to the middle at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Fazalhaq Farooqi strikes the first blow! This is exactly what Afghanistan wanted here. This one is pitched up and on middle, shaping in nicely, Quinton de Kock skips down the track to slog it across the line but plays all over it as the ball goes through to shatter the stumps. Good set up by Farooqi and QDK falls cheaply here.

Fazalhaq Farooqi goes fuller now just around off, gets it to nip away again, Quinton de Kock strides out to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hard length and outside off again, not much movement this time but QDK decides to let it go again.

Back of a length and around off, shaping away this time, Quinton de Kock leaves it alone.

FOUR! Nicely played! Fazalhaq Farooqi in search of some swing begins with a full delivery but bowls it too straight, and shapes it in, Quinton de Kock picks it up off his pads and flicks it beautifully through mid-wicket for the first boundary of the chase.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl the second over.

On a length and on off, shaping in sharply again, Reeza Hendricks looks to defend but misses and gets hit high on the pads. Just one run off the first over then!

A fine in-swinging yorker now, on off, Reeza Hendricks digs it out to the off side.

Absolute peach! Naveen-ul-Haq comes around the wicket and bowls this on a hard length, gets it to nip away sharply, Reeza Hendricks prods forward but gets nowhere near the ball as it zips past to the keeper.

Quinton de Kock and South Africa are underway now! This is pitched up, on middle, shaping in, Quinton de Kock works it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket for a single.

Ouch! Naveen-ul-Haq hits the hard length this time, on off, nips back in sharply with some bounce, Quinton de Kock uses his feet to play but gets cramped up and the ball hits him around his chest. That will sting a bit.

Oh that one keeps really low! Naveen-ul-Haq starts over the wicket, lands this on a good length and around off, this one does not bounce at all, Quinton de Kock leaves it alone.

OUT! LBW! Tabraiz Shamsi wraps things up here! He flights this one up, full and around middle, Naveen-ul-Haq goes for the traditional sweep this time, but the length is too full for that shot, he misses and gets hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. There is a huge appeal for LBW and up goes the finger again, Naveen takes the review more in desperation. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. Afghanistan have been bowled out for a mere 56!

Is that out? A huge shout for LBW and the umpire raises his finger. However, Afghanistan go upstairs. There's nothing on the UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows three reds as the ball crashes right into the middle stump. OUT.

Quicker one, on middle, turns in a long way, Naveen-ul-Haq gets struck on hi pads again.

Flatter, short and on leg, turns in, Naveen-ul-Haq tries to play but misses and gets hit on the pads.

BYES! Floated, full and on off, Naveen-ul-Haq goes down to reverse sweep but misses, Keshav Maharaj at leg slip anticipates and runs to his left, Quinton de Kock misses the ball and it hist Maharaj's leg and rolls away. Two byes taken.

Tossed up, full and on off, Fazalhaq Farooqi drives it towards long off for a single.

Short of a length and on middle, gets some extra bounce this time, Naveen-ul-Haq sways away and tries to ramp it but misses it.

Back of a length and around middle, Naveen-ul-Haq backs away and guides it nicely wide of point, Kagiso Rabada in the deep fumbles and allows the second run.

On a length and on middle, angling in, Naveen-ul-Haq blocks it out as the ball rolls towards mid off.

Full and on off, Fazalhaq Farooqi hangs his bat away from his body and pushes it through covers for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the last man in for Afghanistan.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! This has been an absolute carnage from ball one by South Africa. Afghanistan are 9 down now. Anrich Nortje charges in and cannons a vicious good-length delivery around the off-pole and it keeps a bit low on the bounce, and skids through very quickly into the batter. Rashid Khan cluelessly hops and backs away from the line, anticipating the ball to come high on the bat but he exposes all his stumps and gets squared up. The ball whizzes past his outside edge into the stumps. Rashid Khan departs and this has been a nightmare for Afghanistan.

Back of a length, and on the top of off, Rashid Khan punches it off the back foot to covers.

Drinks break! Well, it has been a one-sided affair through and through with the Proteas totally dominating over the Afghans. The South African pace trio was right on the money and they badly dented Afghanistan's top and middle order. Marco Jansen has been the chief destructor getting three to his name with Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi striking a double whammy each. None of the Afghan batters could sustain against the pace and variable bounce and fell like a house of cards. With all chips down for Afghanistan, South Africa would look to wrap things up as quickly as possible now.

A googly now, full and on middle, turns away, Naveen-ul-Haq stays back and blocks it out.

Naveen-ul-Haq is in at number 10.

OUT! LBW! Tabraiz Shamsi with the double whammy! It is going from bad to worse for Afghanistan. This one is bowled flatter, short and on middle, and skids through, Noor Ahmad is stuck on his crease as he tries to play at it but misses, the ball hits his front pad first and then his back pad as well. However, Noor takes the review here straightaway. UltraEdge shows that there is no bat involved and Ball Tracking once again indicates that it is just clipping the leg stump. It is the umpire's call for the second time in this over and it has gone horribly against the Afghans both times.

Quicker, short and on middle, Noor Ahmad stays back and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Noor Ahmad is in at number 9.

OUT! LBW! Tabraiz Shamsi gets the breakthrough. Or does he? Afghanistan takes the review this time. This one is floated, full and around the middle, and turns in a bit, Karim Janat strides out to work it away but plays down the wrong line and gets hit on the pads. The only thing that can save him here is if it is missing leg. UltraEdge confirms no bat is involved and Ball Tracking shows that it is just clipping the leg stump. The on-field call remains. Afghanistan is seven down now!

Tossed up, full and on off, Karim Janat drills it to short covers.

Floated, full but down the leg again, Karim Janat tries to swipe it away but misses. Wided. 50 up for Afghanistan!

FOUR! Poor delivery and rightly punished! Tabraiz Shamsi begins with a short delivery down the leg side, Karim Janat has all the time in the world to rock back and he pulls it hard and wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

Pitched up and around off, Karim Janat knocks it towards mid off for a quick single.

Anrich Nortje bowls a good bumper now, on middle, angling in, Karim Janat gets hurried  as he tries to hook it away and fails to connect.

An appeal for LBW, but turned down! Touch fuller and around the middle, angling in, Karim Janat looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. It looks like going down the leg side but Aiden Markram decides to take the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows it is missing the leg stump. South Africa lose a review!

FOUR BYES! That beats everyone! Anrich Nortje bangs this one into the pitch hard, on middle, it hits one of the grass patches and takes off viciously, Karim Janat tries to cut it away but is nowhere near the ball while it goes well over Quinton de Kock as well for a boundary.

On a length and on off, Karim Janat stays back and pushes it to short covers.

Fuller one and on middle, Karim Janat plays a nice straight drive past mid on for a couple of runs.

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Kagiso Rabada goes short this time and well outside off, Rashid Khan gets the license to free his arms and absolutely crunches it over point for another boundary.

FOUR! Glorious shot! Kagiso Rabada pulls his length back just a bit, on off, Rashid Khan gets on top of it nicely, presents the full face of the bat and punches it sweetly past mid off for a boundary.

Full again and on off, Rashid Khan drills it straight to mid off.

Pitches it up, on middle, Karim Janat looks to push it away but the inward movement takes the inside edge as the ball rolls towards deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length and on off, Karim Janat stabs it to point.

Good length and on middle and leg, nips back in a bit, Karim Janat tries to play at it but misses and gets hit high on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

On a length and on middle, shaping in, Rashid Khan looks to work it away but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Cannons it on the back of a length, around off, Rashid Khan hops on the back foot and punches it solidly to the off side.

Anrich Nortje bangs in a fiery bouncer but this one takes off and goes above the head of the batter, Rashid Khan ducks under it and Quinton de Kock does well to leap up and collect it. Wided.

BEATEN! Back of a length and on off, angles in sharply with bounce, Rashid Khan tries to guide it away but misses it.

Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan comes out to the middle at number 8.

OUT! TAKEN! Anrich Nortje strikes in his first over as well! He goes full and just outside off, shaping away, Azmatullah Omarzai tries to take the attack to him, and uses his feet to loft it away but his bat turns in his hand when he connects. As a result, he only manages to slice the ball in the air towards deep point where Tristan Stubbs runs forward and pouches it safely. Afghanistan already six down and we are only in the seventh over here!

Absolute beauty! Anrich Nortje lands this on a good length and on the fifth stump line, angles in and then straightens a shy bit, that is enough to beat the outside edge of Azmatullah Omarzai who tries to fend it away.

Anrich Nortje starts with a hard-length delivery around off, Azmatullah Omarzai dabs it down to point.

Fullish again and middle, Karim Janat drives it firmly but straight to mid off. Afghanistan are 28/5 at the end of the Powerplay. This is also the first time that a side has lost five wickets in the Powerplay in a T20 World Cup Semi-Final.

Pitches it up, on middle, angling in this time, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to drive but gets an inside edge towards fine leg for a single.

Back of a length and outside off, nips away, Azmatullah Omarzai leaves it alone.

Pulls his length back a bit and on off, shaping away, Azmatullah Omarzai backs away expecting it to be a short ball, tries to has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! That's a nice shot! Kagiso Rabada goes full again and on off, Azmatullah Omarzai opens the face of the bat slightly and carves it over extra covers for a boundary.

Fuller one and around middle, Azmatullah Omarzai backs away and knocks it towards the bowler.

Karim Janat comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Half of the Afghan side is in the dugout now. Marco Jansen gets his third wicket. Jansen bowls it short and angles it down the leg side, Nangeyalia Kharote stands still and looks to pull it away but it is too close to play that shot and as a result, he misses to connect it with the willow and the ball brushes off his glove and carries behind the stumps. Quinton de Kock moves to his right and takes a good catch. Afghanistan is in all sorts of trouble now.

Angles it on the leg stumps, full in length, Nangeyalia Kharote flicks it towards backward square leg for a brace.

Good length around the off stump, Nangeyalia Kharote clears his front leg and goes for a slash but fails to make any connection on it.

Hits the deck hard and on the middle stump. Nangeyalia Kharote blocks it on the front foot back to the bowler.

Good length outside off, Nangeyalia Kharote with no footwork, misses the cut to the keeper.

Short of a length on the leg stump with an extra bounce on off. Azmatullah Omarzai fends it off his gloves to backward square leg for a run.

Kagiso Rabada bends his back and bangs it short around off, Nangeyalia Kharote arches back and looks to guide it over the slip cordon but gets beaten by the pace and bounce.

Full on the off stump, this is driven to mid-off.

Nangeyalia Kharote is the next man in with Afghanistan in a spot of bother.

OUT! BULL'S EYE! More trouble for Afghanistan! KG Rabada gets his second wicket now. At 142 kph, fuller in length and angling on the stumps from the channel of off, Mohammad Nabi is drawn forward to defend it but plays it over the line of the ball reading the movement late. The ball sneaks through the bat and the pad and goes into the stumps as the off-pole goes cartwheeling.

Good-length delivery around the off-stump. Mohammad Nabi blocks on the front foot to the right of backward point.

Full and outside the off stump, Mohammad Nabi opens the bat face and squeezes it to the left of diving Miller at backward point.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! South Africa are all over Afghanistan now as Rabada strikes on his very first delivery! Kagiso Rabada starts off right on the money, lands it on middle and leg on a good length, at 138 kph, it jags back a bit as well. Ibrahim Zadran plays it all over the line of the ball hopping on the back foot and leaving a huge gap between the bat and the pad. The ball sneaks through the defence and breaks into the stumps. Mohammad Nabi walks out to bat next and Afghanistan will need all his experience here.

Kagiso Rabada replaces Keshav Maharaj.

FOUR! Lucky, very lucky there! Short and attacking the bodyline with an inward angle on a length, Azmatullah Omarzai is caught in an awkward position and takes his eyes off the ball, the ball takes the gloves and flies past the diving leg slip fielder where Heinrich Klaasen almost gets his hands to it and races away to the boundary in the deep.

Just short of a good length, angling into the batter on the pads, Azmatullah Omarzai misses to clip it and gets pinged on the upper thigh pad.

Length delivery pitching on middle, and moving away outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai stays leg side of the ball and gets beaten.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Through the gates! Jansen gets his second and Afghanistan is in a bit of an early trouble. Marco Jansen stays over the stumps and lands it on a length, just around off, it skids and comes through quickly into the batter. Gulbadin Naib is caught off guard and gets trapped in the crease. He looks to play across the line of the ball and the ball beats the inside edge and rattles the stumps. Also, Azmatullah Omarzai comes out to the middle now.

Marco Jansen has been struggling with his line a bit here.

WIDE! Sprays it down the leg side with a swing. Gulbadin Naib fails to flick it away and the umpire calls it a wide.

Full and with an extra bit of bounce, across off, Gulbadin Naib swings hard across but misses on the outside edge.

FOUR! Nice shot! Bowls it on a length, on the top of the middle, Gulbadin Naib stands with an upright stance and pulls it crisply through the left of mid on for a boundary.

WIDE! Swinging down the leg side, on a length. Wided.

Good length on the leg stump Gulbadin Naib hangs back and tucks it to backward square leg for a single.

Full on the middle stump and turns it away, Gulbadin Naib is drawn forward and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Good-length delivery outside the off stump. Gulbadin Naib punches it off the back foot to short extra cover.

Shade full and turning away from off, Gulbadin Naib goes back and across and eases it to the off side.

FOUR! Good intent there! Keshav Maharaj tosses it up, full and on middle, Gulbadin Naib wastes no time, clears his front leg away, and lofts it nicely over mid on for a boundary. He gets off the mark in style here.

Around the wicket, full and on the leg stump. Ibrahim Zadran makes room and drives it to long off for a single.

OUT! TAKEN! Marco Jansen strikes in the very first over and the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz falls cheaply! Marco Jansen bowls a genuine half-volley on a fuller length, Rahmanullah Gurbaz prods ahead to drive it through covers but pushes hard at it and plays it inside the line and the ball takes a thick outside edge that carries straight to Reeza Hendricks stationed at the second slip. The third umpire wants to make sure that Jansen has not overstepped here and the verdict is that it is a fair delivery. A massive early blow for the Afghans!

We will see some spin now as Keshav Maharaj is ready to share the attack.

WIDE! Short and swinging down the leg side again, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes for a pull shot but misses. Wide called.

WIDE! He will have to reload this one! Angles it down leg, on a length, wide given.

Good length and nipping back from off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks it to covers.

Just short ahead of the slip fielder! Attacks the stumps this time on a fuller length, with a hint of a movement into the batter, Ibrahim Zadran plays inside the line and the ball takes the genuine outside edge that falls short and to the right of the first slip fielder who dives to his right and makes the stop.

Full and outside off this time, Ibrahim Zadran drives it to the right of the bowler.

Hits the back of a length, angling down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran shuffles and gets cramped for room and can only push it to mid off.

A leg bye and Afghanistan are underway! Marco Jansen lands it on a shade fuller length, swinging into the batter and angling onto the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses to tuck it away and the ball brushes off his thigh pad towards deep fine.

It's time for the action now! The fans of both teams have come in numbers here and it is a festive atmosphere here in Trinidad. We can see the South African players in a huddle who then spread out and take their respective field positions. The formidable duo of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the two openers for Afghanistan. The tall left-armer, Marco Jansen has the new ball in his hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the start of this momentous clash but before that, the players from both sides make their way out to the middle with a lot of pride and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Afghanistan's first, followed by the national anthem of South Africa.

PITCH REPORT - Shaun Pollock and Ricky Ponting are at the 22 yards. Pollock says the temperature has come down and a gentle breeze is blowing. Mentions that it is equidistant being 63 meters at both squares. Ricky Ponting joins him and says it is a brand new pitch. He adds that four games have been played at this venue with the average score being only 91. Says there are a few cracks and if you look closely inside the cracks, there's some thatchy grass. Reckons there's going to be a lot of spin and seam on this track with an uneven bounce as well. Ends up by saying that dew won't be a factor because of the breeze.

Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa says that they would have batted first as well. Adds that it is a fresh wicket but he is not too upset bowling first and will look to use the conditions early on. Mentions that they have played good cricket throughout the tournament and have adapted to the wickets well, they just need to keep doing the basics right and they will be closer to a perfect game. Informs they are unchanged as well.

Rashid Khan, the skipper of Afghanistan says it's a fresh wicket and they want to have a total on the board. Adds that the middle order hasn't got that time in the middle as the top order has batted responsibly. Says they didn't get much rest time as they came here straight out of the last game and a 4-hour flight delay didn't help as well. But adds that everyone in the team is pumped up for this challenge. Further says they will bring the skills on the field and that will decide the game for them. Informs that they are going with the same side.

South Africa (Unchanged Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.

Afghanistan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (C), Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - It is time for the all-important toss in the 1st Semi-Final. Aiden Markram flips the coin and Rashid Khan calls it right. Afghanistan have elected to BAT first.

South Africa, back in the semis after a decade-long wait, are hungry for their third crack at glory. Whereas, for Afghanistan it’s the matter of a lot of firsts, and nothing to lose and only history to make. Can the Proteas finally shake off their big-match jitters and edge closer to ending their trophy drought? Or will Afghanistan pull off a stunning upset for the ages? Stick around as the all important toss and the team’s sheets are up next!

Despite their illustrious cricketing history, South Africa is still pursuing its first T20 World Cup trophy. The Proteas have often come tantalizingly close to glory, only to fall short at crucial moments. However, this current South African squad has written a different story in this tournament. They've achieved the remarkable feat of remaining undefeated thus far, but their journey hasn't been without challenges. Each of their victories has been hard-fought and nerve-wracking, with every match going down to the wire. Quinton de Kock is up and running and batting aggressively while being quite busy behind the wickets. He needs support from his opening partner Reeza Hendricks and also Aiden Markram needs to shrug off his lean patch. While their middle order, including the trio of David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and Tristan Stubbs, has heavily contributed, this batting lineup with the top three firing will be an absolute nightmare. Anrich Nortje has been firing thunderbolts, constantly keeping the wicket column ticking. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen have also lived up to the expectations and with the spin duo of Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi weaving the spin web, their bowling unit has been true to their Proteas moniker. 

With limited resources at the helm, they dared to dream and turned it into a reality. 20 years back, they played their first-ever official match and achieved this feat in just two decades. It's been that kind of a dream run for Afghanistan in this tournament as they reach this stage garnering a lot of support, pride, and respect from the cricketing world. In their journey, they have defeated the mighty Kiwis and the perennial dominators, Australia, and then humbled Bangladesh in one of the most intense cricketing battles that ever happened, to qualify for their first-ever semifinal in any ICC event. Rahmanullah Gurbaz has scored the bulk of runs up top but his participation is a huge question mark as he took a hit on his left knee while keeping. Ibrahim Zadran though has equally shouldered the responsibility of scoring runs but the onus will be on the middle order contributions from Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi. On the bowling front, Afghanistan aces. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-Ul-Haq have been in scintillating form with the ball and so have the spin wizards Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan. Rashid along with troubling the batters, has also played those heroic clutch cameos with the bat that heavily made the difference. This Afghan side packs a serious punch and has proved to be a genuine threat. 

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024, has reached its decisive phase. After the exhilarating league stage, followed by engaging Super 8s, it’s now time for the knockouts. We are at the iconic Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and welcome to one and all joining us for the coverage of the Semi-Finals. The first pit features two brilliant teams South Africa and Afghanistan. Both teams have displayed grit, courage, and consistency and this promises to be a probable humdinger. 

... MATCH DAY ...

Then there were four, they say. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup has reached its fevered crescendo, with four formidable teams emerging from the fray. As the dust settles on the group stages and the Super 8s, these four formidable sides have bettered the others and prepare to battle in the semifinals, each dreaming of etching their name in cricketing lore. Four titans emerge, India, South Africa, England, and in a historic first, Afghanistan. The first semifinal pits two formidable forces against each other, both having showcased exceptional cricket throughout the tournament. On one side stands the indomitable and undefeated South Africa, and on the other, the fearless Afghanistan, a team that has shattered expectations and played with unbridled courage across all facets of the game and proved they aren't any walkovers. Their fearless brand of cricket has dismantled preconceptions and toppled the probable favorites. The iconic Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, will serve as the grand arena for this high-stakes clash. Named after one of cricket's greats, this venue is poised to witness a spectacle that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Afghanistan's journey to the semifinals has been nothing short of legendary, crowned by their recent victory over Bangladesh, a stunning heist that defied all expectations. With their tournament life hanging by a thread, the Afghan men showcased unparalleled grit and determination. It was a low-scoring thriller that turned out to be a rainy affair, but eventually, this team scraped through in the end. As Afghanistan ascends to the next level of competition, their batting lineup faces an intensified challenge. While consistency has been their forte, the stakes now demand an elevated sense of responsibility from each willow-wielder. The onus falls heavily on Rahmanullah Gurbaz to maintain his scintillating form and continue his run-scoring spree. However, Gurbaz's participation is unconfirmed as of now due to an injury on his left knee against Bangladesh. The opening duo of Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have together scored more runs than any other opening pair in this World Cup, with a pleasing average backed by three centurion opening stands as well, which is the most in this tournament. Cherry on top, they are first and third, respectively, in the chart of leading run scorers. But, the supporting cast must step also up to the plate, including Gulbadin Naib, and Azmatullah Omarzai with the bat. Their middle order has been kind of on and off and the veteran Mohammad Nabi would need to shoulder the top three to post a good total on the board. Rashid Khan has provided those clutch heroic finishes towards the backend and nothing less would be expected from him with the bat. It's with the ball, however, that Afghanistan truly sparkles. The lethal combination of Naveen-ul-Haq and Fazalhaq Farooqi has been the cornerstone of their success, with Naveen's spell against Bangladesh already etched in cricketing lore. Add to this the crafty spin duo of Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan himself, and Afghanistan presents a well-rounded, formidable threat. Yet, standing in their path is the juggernaut of South African cricket. The Proteas, undefeated thus far, boast a lineup brimming with confidence and immense firepower in the armory. Quinton de Kock has finally found his form and is batting aggressively. The team seeks Reeza Hendricks to forge stronger starts with him, while captain Aiden Markram aims to shrug off his lean patch as well. The middle order, powered by the explosive trio of David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and Tristan Stubbs, has been the team's beating heart. South Africa's bowling attack, true to their 'Proteas' moniker, has been nothing short of venomous. Spearheaded by the raw pace of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, and complemented by the guile of spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, they present a multi-faceted challenge to even the most accomplished batters. Despite their unbeaten run, South Africa has navigated through several nail-biting encounters, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. While they hold a slight edge over Afghanistan in past matchups, history takes a backseat in knockout cricket. The outcome will hinge on which side rises to the occasion and delivers when it matters most, making this contest an unpredictable and evenly poised one. It's knockout time, and the winner will secure their spot in the final showdown, punching their tickets to Barbados for June 29th. Will the mighty Proteas make it to their first-ever T20 World Cup Final and put all those stereotypes to bed, or will the Afghans deliver another dominating performance? Only time will tell. Who do you think will steal the spotlight in the first semifinal?