Proteas Punch Their Ticket to Glory: South Africa Dismantle Afghanistan to Advance to Inaugural World T20 League Final

South Africa Cruise into First-Ever World T20 League Finals After Thrashing Afghanistan

The first semifinal of the World T20 League 2024  between South Africa and Afghanistan was most lop-sided as the South Africans outplayed the Afghans in all departments to win the match by 9 wickets in Trinidad. Well finally it was the Proteas that snapped a semifinal curse, while advancing to the men’s World T20 League final for the first time.

The toss proved crucial

The game came down to the toss like most of the games in the tournament; Afghanistan, led by their skipper Rashid Khan elected to bat first on a Gelderland turf that was outright hostile for the batsmen. The pace bowling of South Africa did not soften on Afghanistan and taking full advantage of the condition, dismissed them at the miserly total of 28/5 in the power play.

Afghanistan put on a miserable batting show against a quality bowling lineup .

Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje all shone with the ball as Afghanistan was bundled out for a pathetic 56 in nothing more than 11 overs. Half their total of 5 was their lowest T20I score. Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi also picked up 3 wickets and the South African bowling side was magnificent.

Made light work of the run chase

Aiden Markram with 23 and Reeza Hendricks with 29 set the stage for an emphatic nine wicket victory as the Proteas chased down the total inside nine overs .

History in the Making for South Africa

This achievement marks South African cricket into a new era of its history as the team won the semifinal. The Proteas have at last shed their ‘jinx’ tag which has seen them under perform in earlier ICC knockout stages, reaching the first ever men’s World T20 League final. They will now wait for the winner or India and England who will meet in the semifinal in Guyana.

And as for Afghanistan, their presence and the spirits they have shown in the tournament have now met their exit. But yes they can be proud of what they have done and will surely try hard in upcoming global events.