Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup dream has been crushed after South Africa’s quicks wreaked havoc during the first semi-final at Tarouba’s Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Thursday morning AEST.
After captain Rashid Khan won the toss and chose to bowl first, Afghanistan collapsed to 6-28 in the seventh over as Proteas quicks Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada ripped through the top order.
MATCH CENTRE: Afghanistan vs South Africa live scorecard
Karim Janat and Khan briefly steadied the ship with a 22-run partnership for the seventh wicket before spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and speedster Anrich Nortje cleaned up the tail.
The Afghans were ultimately rolled for 56 in just 11.5 overs, the lowest team total in a Men’s T20 World Cup finals match. It was also the nation’s lowest teams score in the format.
South Africa, undefeated in the tournament after seven matches, is chasing a 57-run target to qualify for its first final of an ICC event since the 1998 Champions trophy.
Lowest team score in Men’s T20 World Cup knockouts
56 – Afghanistan vs RSA, 2024
101 – West Indies vs SL, 2009
101 – Sri Lanka vs WI, 2012
7-123 – Pakistan vs SL, 2012
6-128 – Sri Lanka vs ENG, 2010
More to come …