South Africa won by 9 wkts
PLAYER OF THE MATCH : Marco Jansen
Batter
Bowler
So buried are the ghosts of 22 runs off 1 ball. Forgotten is the face of a confused Mark Boucher who defended the last ball against Sri Lanka in a botched DLS chase. The image of a forlorn Dale Steyn, down on the ground in tears as Grant Elliot celebrates next to him isn’t as haunting anymore. The conversations around Donald not running, of Herschelle Gibbs dropping the World Cup don’t seem taboo anymore. For all the perpetual bad luck, for all the untimely chokes, maybe, just maybe the rub of the green seems to have tilted in favour of the rainbow nation, and Aiden Markram’s boys march on to Kensington Oval with a new ray of hope and optimism. Today was a cake walk but they’ve come through in four final over finishes, and here they are now knocking at the doorstep of history!! That's all for this game, a second semi-final isn't too far away. For now, this is Saurabh signing off on behalf of Raju, Ramki, Abhinav and Siva.
Chin up, Afghanistan!! Germany, Japan, Argentina, Italy, Vanuatu. These were some of the nations Afghanistan were playing against till a little over a decade ago. They’ve come a long way in the space of 10 years. Nobody (except Brian Lara) predicted them to get to a semi-final, many perhaps would have written them off in the group stage itself. However, they punched above their weight, beating New Zealand and then Australia to reach the promise land of a semi-final. Today proved to be a bridge too far but don’t let this performance sullen how heroic and historic this World Cup campaign has been for them. They may have a 1000 problems off the field, but when these 11 Afghan splendid sons step on it, an entire nation seems transfixed in hope and strength. That’s been the biggest win for Rashid Khan and co - giving a nation that might have even forgotten to sleep the ability to dream…
Aiden Markram | South Africa Captain: Feels good. It's not only the captain that gets you here, it is a massive squad effort. Plenty of guys behind the scenes as well. Fortunate to have lost the toss, we would have batted too. We were brilliant with the ball, got it in the right areas and kept it really simple. The bowlers have been incredible for us. It was challenging with the bat, no batter is going to lie and tell you it was easy out there. We had a bit of luck and then got a bit of a partnership. We have had a few close games and a few people back home would have woken up early with more grey hairs. Glad today was a bit more comforting. (On the final) It is one more step for us, it is an opportunity we have never had, nothing to be scared of. This win means a lot, we have some world class players in the side but like I said, it takes a whole squad to be able to deliver such a performance.
Rashid Khan | Afghanistan Captain: It was tough, tough for us as a team. We might have done better but the conditions didn't allow us to do what we wanted. That's how T20 cricket is, you need to be ready for all conditions. I think they bowled really well. I think we got good success in this tournament because the seamers bowled really well, you need good starts. I think we were unlucky with Mujeeb's injury, but our seamers and even Nabi bowled brilliantly with the new ball. That made our job easier as spinners. We have enjoyed this tournament. We will accept playing a semi-final and losing to a top side like Africa. It is just the beginning for us, we have the confidence and belief to beat any side. We just need to keep our processes. This has been a great learning experience for us. What we take from the competition is the belief. We know we have the skills, it is just about managing tough situations, pressure situations. Some work to be done, specially in the middle order to take the innings deep. As I said, it is always learning for our team and we have achieved good results so far but we will come back doing more hard work, specially in the batting department.
Stats by Shashikant Singh
South Africa in ICC WC Semi Finals
Mats: 8
Won: 1 (today)
Lost: 6
Tied: 1 (vs AUS, 1999)
Most consecutive wins in T20 WCs
8* - SA (2024)
8 - AUS (2022-2024)
7 - ENG (2010-2012)
7 - IND (2012-2014)
South Africa’s longest winning streaks in T20Is
8* - in 2024
7 - in 2009
7 - in 2021
Biggest win for SA in T20 WCs (by Wkts)
10 wkts vs ZIM, Hambantota, 2012
9 wkts vs AFG, Tarouba, 2024
- 67 balls is the biggest win margin for South Africa in terms of balls remaining in T20Is, bettering 51 balls against Pakistan in Jo'burg in 2007. This is also the biggest defeat margin for Afghanistan in terms of balls remaining in T20Is.
Most wickets for South Africa in a T20 WC edition
13 - Anrich Nortje (2024)*
12 - Imran Tahir (2014)
12 - KG Rabada (2024)*
11 - C Langeveldt (2010)
11 - Anrich Nortje (2022)
11 - Tabraiz Shamsi (2024)*
Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, take a lap of honour around the ground, clapping out to their fans who've supported them through thick and thin. They were just not at the races today, but let's not forget what they have acheived in this tournament.
Marco Jansen | Player of the Match: Awesome feeling. The guys played really well, we executed perfectly. We just wanted to stick to our plan, bowl good lengths and see how the wicket reacts. The wicket was getting a bit open, and it was about keeping it simple. (On Markram) He is awesome to have as a captain. We'll enjoy tonight and be on our way again.
22:39 Local Time, 02:39 GMT, 08:09 IST: The semi-final jinx has finally been broken! South Africa are through to an ICC final and they get there with a brutal display of dominance and fiery fast bowling. Afghanistan were perhaps overawed by the occasion, and two emotionally draining wins over Australia and Bangladesh clearly took a toll on them. A fiery spell of fast bowling from Rabada and Jansen blew them away in the powerplay, as the innings never got going. Shamsi and Nortje joined the party post the powerplay to skittle out Afghanistan for just 56 runs - the lowest ever score in a World Cup semi-final. In reply, Afghanistan's new ball bowlers bowled valiantly, and Farooqi got the wicket of de Kock with a ball that nipped back in. However, the target was too small and after playing out the first few overs, Markram and Hendricks found their hitting zone. The South African skipper played some classy punch strokes, while Hendricks finished off the game with a six and a four. Target chased down in under 9 overs. A historic day for South Africa, a day to forget for Afghanistan after a historic campaign.
Azmatullah to Reeza Hendricks, FOUR, all over now!! A simple half volley from Omarzai, encourages Hendricks to drive and the SA opener obliges. A drive down the ground to the right of mid-off and the ball hares away to the fence. Not too many extravagent celebrations from the Proteas, but internally they'd be buzzingSouth Africa win by 9 wickets, they are through to a historic final!!
Azmatullah to Reeza Hendricks, SIX, gets the full monty!! Short pitched and angling into the batter. Hendricks made some room and plays a tennis ball slap across the line. Flies off the edge and sails all the way over fine leg for six. SA on the brink
Azmatullah to Markram, no ball, 1 run, pace off and full outside off. Markram goes for a big heave and gets an inside edge that sticks onto the pitch towards short leg. Oops, Omarzai has overstepped
Azmatullah to Markram, no run, angling inwards from a length, Markram through his swing early and cops a blow to his thigh pad
Azmatullah to Markram, FOUR, stand and delivery!! Hard length delivery just outside off, Markram stays tall and whacks it over mid-off for a boundary. Hit it on the rise and hit it cleanly
Azmatullah to Reeza Hendricks, 1 run, good length and gets a bit of extra bounce outside off. Off the splice as Hendricks punched it away to sweeper cover