South Africa have booked their place in a men’s World Cup final for the first time with a dominant nine-wicket triumph over Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Tarouba. The Proteas made it eighth-time lucky after a long stretch of soul-crushing semi-final defeats in men’s global tournaments across all formats to set up a historic decider against India or England.
After Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bat first on a spicy surface at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the South Africa bowlers brushed aside any sign of semi-final nerves to skittle Afghanistan for 56 inside 12 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi briefly lifted Afghanistan hopes with the early wicket of Quinton de Kock (5), but skipper Aiden Markram (23 not out) and Reeza Hendricks (29 not out) took no risks on a sticky wicket to steer South Africa to 60-1 and an emphatic victory on Wednesday.
Continue reading...
