A historic moment awaits either South Africa or Afghanistan as they clash in the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for their first appearance in a Men’s World Cup final. The semi-final will be held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, a venue known for its challenging conditions for batsmen.
Afghanistan’s progression to the semi-finals is a testament to their remarkable rise in T20 cricket. They have managed to outclass higher-ranked teams like New Zealand and Australia, demonstrating their growing prowess in the shortest format. Meanwhile On the other hand, unbeaten South Africa hopes to break their semi-final jinx, having lost all seven previous men’s World Cup semi-final appearances across formats. With a powerful batting line-up and a versatile bowling attack, the Proteas are optimistic that 2024 could finally be their year.
Key Highlights
- Historic Opportunity: Therefore Both South Africa and Afghanistan aim for their first-ever appearance in a Men’s World Cup final.
- Unbeaten Record: South Africa enters the semi-final with an unblemished record in the tournament.
- Afghanistan’s Upset: Afghanistan’s impressive victories over New Zealand and Australia have been pivotal in their journey to the semi-finals.
- Venue Challenge: The Brian Lara Cricket Academy, hosting its fifth and final match of the tournament, has seen relatively low-scoring games, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the semi-final.
Match Details
- Match: South Africa vs. Afghanistan
- Date: Wednesday, June 26
- Time: 8:30 PM local time
- Venue: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago
- broadcast: match will be telecast LIVE on the Star Sports Network in India and streamed on the Disney+ Hotstar app.
Venue Overview
Therefore The Brian Lara Cricket Academy, with a capacity of 15,000, has proven to be a challenging ground for batsmen. The highest total recorded in the previous four matches is 149/9 by the West Indies against New Zealand, indicating that runs are not easy to come by at this venue.
Road to the Semi-Finals
- South Africa: Therefore The Proteas have been tested multiple times throughout the tournament. Narrow wins against the Netherlands, Bangladesh, Nepal, and co-hosts USA showcased their ability to hold their nerve under pressure. Tough matches against England and West Indies also saw them emerging victorious, highlighting their resilience.
- Afghanistan: Moreover Afghanistan’s journey has been equally impressive. They progressed from a tough initial group, eliminating frequent semi-finalists New Zealand. Key victories against Australia and Bangladesh secured their historic semi-final spot.
Playing XI
- South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada,Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.
- Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Team Selections
- South Africa: Meanwhile A key decision will be whether to retain a second front-line spinner in Tabraiz Shamsi or revert to an additional pace option in Ottneil Baartman.
- Afghanistan: Therefore The inclusion of Hazratullah Zazai as an additional top-order player against India could be repeated, potentially batting at No. 3 to maintain the Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran partnership.
Key Points
- Historic First Final: Meanwhile Either team will make history by reaching their first Men’s World Cup final.
- South Africa’s Unbeaten Run: Therefore South Africa’s perfect record is a sign of either formidable winning form or potential vulnerability.
- Afghanistan’s Giant-Killing: Moreover Victories over New Zealand and Australia underline Afghanistan’s potential to cause another upset.
Key Players to Watch
| Team | Player | Role | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Aiden Markram (c) | Batsman | Consistent run-scorer, crucial middle-order anchor |
| Kagiso Rabada | Bowler | Leading wicket-taker, pace spearhead | |
| Quinton de Kock | Wicketkeeper/Batsman | Explosive opener, quick runs at the top | |
| Afghanistan | Rashid Khan (c) | Bowler | Spin wizard, key wicket-taker, captaincy |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Batsman | Aggressive opener, vital starts | |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder | Experience, middle-order stability, and spin |
This semi-final promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams eager to make history and secure their place in the final. Therefore The cricketing world will be watching closely as South Africa and Afghanistan battle it out for a coveted spot in the T20 World Cup 2024 final.