South Africa vs Afghanistan 1st-Semi-Final Results

Right then, that is it from this one-sided 1st Semi-Final where South Africa after all their historic struggles have finally made it to an ICC World Cup final. It was a huge heartbreak for Afghanistan but they have had a special journey in this tournament. Now, it is time to find out who will face the Proteas in the big finale. The 2nd Semi-Final between India and England will start on 27th June, Thursday at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Aiden Markram, the victorious skipper of South Africa says it feels good. He says it's not only the captain that gets you here, but the massive squad effort and says that he is fortunate to have lost the toss as they would have batted first as well. He says they were brilliant with the ball and bowled in the right areas. Adds that their bowlers have been incredible throughout the tournament. Mentions it was tough to bat and adds they had a bit of luck. Tells that they had a few close games but they managed to sail through. On being asked about the final, he says it is one more step for them and an opportunity they never had. Says this win means a lot and they have got world class players on the side. Ends up crediting the entire squad for delivering such a clinical performance.

Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan says that it was a tough game as a team for them. Adds that they could have batted better but the conditions were not easy, and credits South Africa for their bowling. Mentions that in T20s getting a good start is important, they had a setback when Mujeeb got injured but the way Naveen, Nabi, and Farooqi performed, was great to see. Says that it has been a great World Cup for them and they are proud of how they have played and achieved some excellent results here beating some big teams. Further adds that next time when they participate in an ICC event, the belief will be there but they know that there is still a lot of hard work to do and hopefully, they will perform better than this next time. Ends by acknowledging all the support that they had throughout the World Cup.

Marco Jansen is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating 3-fer. He says it is an awesome feeling and says the guys played really well and executed the plans to perfection. Says they didn't know how it would play and says it was all about keeping it simple by bowling good lines and lengths. Adds everyone was calm on the field and stuck to their plans. On being asked about Aiden Markram's captaincy, he says Markram is known for his calmness. Says he is a great captain. He wraps up by saying they will celebrate this win and get to the finale on a positive note.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Afghanistan posted the lowest-ever total in an ICC T20 World Cup Semi-Final as they had no answers to the fiery bowling attack of the Proteas. It was very disappointing for them as it happened in probably the biggest game of their careers. Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi picked up three wickets each while Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje shared four wickets equally to dismantle the Afghans. While chasing, Afghanistan tried their very best to trouble the South African batters but just did not have enough runs on the board. Naveen-ul-Haq picked up the only wicket that fell, but it was their batting that let them down in this big encounter.

South Africa knew that the wicket was not easy to bat on and Quinton de Kock tried to be aggressive but lost his wicket early in the process. Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram struggled to get going due to the uneven bounce and trickiness of the wicket but the good thing was that they did not give their wicket away. The duo took their time and got through that period and then the runs started to flow as well. After that, they navigated the chase nicely and stayed unbeaten to take them over the line quite comfortably.

PROTEAS POWER THEMSELVES THROUGH TO THE FINAL! They have finally managed to get past the semi-final hurdle and this was a complete domination by them. South Africa also keep their unbeaten streak intact and they are heading to Barbados with a lot of confidence and momentum. Afghanistan had an off-day but that does not take anything away they have achieved in this T20 World Cup, and they should be mighty proud of themselves.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Reeza Hendricks, Four!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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Reeza Hendricks, Six!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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Aiden Markram, No ball!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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Aiden Markram, Four!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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Reeza Hendricks, 1 run.On the back of a length, outside off, Reeza Hendricks caresses it on the up through the cover-point gap for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Gulbadin Naib to Aiden Markram, Four!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.

Gulbadin Naib to Reeza Hendricks, 1 run.Almost a half-tracker on the off stump, Reeza Hendricks punches it through covers for a single.

Gulbadin Naib to Reeza Hendricks, No run.Hard length and outside off, Reeza Hendricks pushes it to covers off the bottom half of the bat.

Gulbadin Naib to Reeza Hendricks, 2 runs.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 to Aiden Markram, 1 run.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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Aiden Markram, 1 run.Angles it on the pads, on a length, Aiden Markram whips it and beats Noor Ahmad at mid on for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Azmatullah Omarzai to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Rashid Khan to Reeza Hendricks, Four!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.

Rashid Khan to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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.

Rashid Khan to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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.

Rashid Khan to Aiden Markram, 1 run.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.

Rashid Khan to Reeza Hendricks, 1 run.On a length, and on the middle, Reeza Hendricks works it off the back foot to widish long on for a single.

Rashid Khan to Reeza Hendricks, 2 runs.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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Reeza Hendricks, 1 run.Touch fuller, on middle, Reeza Hendricks pats it towards mid on for a quick single. 13 runs off the over then!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, 3 runs.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 to Aiden Markram, Wide!Naveen-ul-Haq goes for the bouncer but this one goes above the batter, Aiden Markram leaves it alone. Wided.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, Four!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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, Four!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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, No run.On a length and on middle, Aiden Markram stays back and blocks it out well.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Reeza Hendricks, Four!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.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Reeza Hendricks, 2 runs.Another full delivery, on middle, Reeza Hendricks knocks it with a straight bat wide of mid on for a brace.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Reeza Hendricks, No run.Overpitched and on off, Reeza Hendricks connects with his drive nicely this time but hits it straight to mid off.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Reeza Hendricks, Wide!Full again but a bit too outside off this time, Reeza Hendricks leaves it alone. Wided.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Reeza Hendricks, No run.Full and outside off, Reeza Hendricks tries to reach for it but gets an inside edge just past the stumps to short fine.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Reeza Hendricks, No run.On a length and on off, Reeza Hendricks steers it towards point.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, No run.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!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, No run.Full again and on middle, shaping in, Aiden Markram blocks it out this time.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Aiden Markram, No run.Goes fuller and on off, Aiden Markram pushes it towards covers.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Reeza Hendricks, 1 run.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.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, No run.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.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Quinton de Kock, OUT! b Fazalhaq Farooqi.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 to Quinton de Kock, No run.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.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Quinton de Kock, No run.Hard length and outside off again, not much movement this time but QDK decides to let it go again.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Quinton de Kock, No run.Back of a length and around off, shaping away this time, Quinton de Kock leaves it alone.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to Quinton de Kock, Four!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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Reeza Hendricks, No run.A fine in-swinging yorker now, on off, Reeza Hendricks digs it out to the off side.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Reeza Hendricks, No run.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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Quinton de Kock, 1 run.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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Quinton de Kock, No run.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.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Quinton de Kock, No run.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.

We are back for South Africa's reply! The two umpires are out in the middle. Afghanistan players scatter through the field and take their respective fielding positions. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks are the two openers for South Africa. And it will be Naveen-ul-Haq to begin the proceedings with the new ball and will start with two slips in place. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, after demolishing Afghanistan's batting, South Africa now eyes a swift chase of 57 runs with the bat. The Proteas are on the cusp of stepping into their first-ever T20 World Cup Final and will aim to look to blitz through this modest target without any hiccups. Stay tuned as the run chase is up next in a bit.

Kagiso Rabada, one of the chief destructors with the ball is up for a flash interview. Rabada says they were not expecting this and just wanted to do what they have been doing throughout the tournament. Adds that it is moving a lot and they hit the right areas and it just happened for them. Mentions that sometimes you bowl well and not get results and vice-versa. Says that they absolutely believe that this team can lift the trophy here.

The Proteas' bowling performance was near flawless, with their pace attack living up to its fearsome reputation using all the pace and bounce to perfection. South Africa's pace trio systematically dismantled Afghanistan's batting lineup. Marco Jansen set the tone with a wicket in his opening over, followed by Kagiso Rabada's devastating double strike. Anrich Nortje then unleashed his searing pace, claiming another victim and further intensifying the struggles for Afghanistan. Marco Jansen claimed a 3-fer eventually. The Proteas' pacers overwhelmed their opponents with a relentless barrage of hostile fast bowling. Their raw speed and precision not only dismantled Afghanistan's batting lineup but also stifled the run flow. Tabraiz Shamsi then compounded the damage with a double strike in his first over as well and ended up with a brilliant 3-fer. South Africa blew Afghanistan away with their pinpoint accuracy in the bowling. Just the kind of performance they would've anticipated at the big stage.

Afghanistan's batters found themselves utterly bewildered by South Africa's relentless pace attack and unpredictable bounce. The innings began to unravel with Rahmanullah Gurbaz's early dismissal, sparking a swift procession of wickets. Unable to adapt to the challenging conditions, the Afghan lineup crumbled badly. At the end of the Powerplay, Afghanistan were teetering badly with half of their side into the dugout with only 28 on the board. Rashid Khan then came out and tried to counterpunch but Karim Janat too, perished without causing much damage. Rashid Khan too couldn't read the lengths well and fell sooner. It was just a matter of time before they got bundled up on a mere 56. To summarize their performance, none of the Afghan batters could sustain at the crease and were like fish trying to climb a tree, completely out of their element against the searing pace and spin. and succumbed to the pressure eventually.

A completely dominating performance from South Africa with the ball as they decimate the Afghan innings to a paltry 56. It is the first time that a team has been bowled out below three figures in the T20 World Cup Semi-Final, and also, this is the lowest first innings total in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup Semi-Finals. It seemed like Afghanistan was more swept up in the excitement and emotions of facing world-class opposition in the semifinals than focused on the task at hand.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Naveen-ul-Haq, OUT! lbw b Tabraiz Shamsi.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.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Naveen-ul-Haq, No run.Quicker one, on middle, turns in a long way, Naveen-ul-Haq gets struck on hi pads again.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Naveen-ul-Haq, No run.Flatter, short and on leg, turns in, Naveen-ul-Haq tries to play but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Naveen-ul-Haq, 2 Byes.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.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Fazalhaq Farooqi, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on off, Fazalhaq Farooqi drives it towards long off for a single.

Anrich Nortje to Naveen-ul-Haq, No run.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.

Anrich Nortje to Naveen-ul-Haq, 2 runs.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.

Anrich Nortje to Naveen-ul-Haq, No run.On a length and on middle, angling in, Naveen-ul-Haq blocks it out as the ball rolls towards mid off.

Anrich Nortje to Fazalhaq Farooqi, 1 run.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.

Anrich Nortje to Rashid Khan, OUT! b Anrich Nortje.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.

Anrich Nortje to Rashid Khan, No run.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.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Naveen-ul-Haq, No run.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.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Noor Ahmad, OUT! lbw b Tabraiz Shamsi.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.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Noor Ahmad, No run.Quicker, short and on middle, Noor Ahmad stays back and nudges it to short mid-wicket.

Noor Ahmad is in at number 9.

Tabraiz Shamsi to Karim Janat, OUT! lbw b Tabraiz Shamsi.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!

Tabraiz Shamsi to Karim Janat, No run.Tossed up, full and on off, Karim Janat drills it to short covers.

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

Tabraiz Shamsi to Karim Janat, Four!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.

Anrich Nortje to Karim Janat, 1 run.Pitched up and around off, Karim Janat knocks it towards mid off for a quick single.

Anrich Nortje to Karim Janat, No run.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.