The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals will kick off with a match between South Africa and Afghanistan. Both teams have performed astonishingly to reach this far and are on their way to their first-ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final. Here’s everything you need to know. 

Table: Details of South Africa vs Afghanistan Semi-final Match in the 2024 T20 World Cup

Preview of SA vs AFG Semi-final Match in the 2024 T20 Men’s World Cup

This match will start with an exciting prospect for cricket fans. Whoever wins this game, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will see a brand new finalist. South Africa have been participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup since its initial edition but never reached the final. They were semi-finalists in 2009 and 2014. But lost to the Asian giants Pakistan and India. This time, in their 3rd semi-final appearance, they are facing a strong Afghanistan that is on the rise.  

The rise of cricket in Afghanistan has been astounding, to say the least, and the latest edition to their fairytale journey is reaching the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Having first participated in the 2010 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, this is the first time they are playing in this phase of the tournament.  

Read more: Afghans celebrate their men's cricket team reaching first Twenty20 World Cup semifinals

South Africa seems to be unbeatable this time. Not only because they have a brilliantly balanced side but also because they tend to bring the result anyhow. They are the only team in this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a 100% winning record. And like any other triumphant side, South Africa were not dependent on any single player. They have only 1 batter in the top 15 run-scorers of this World Cup. This might mainly be because of the type of pitches they played on. But they also do not have any bowler in the top 5 as well, which is a bit surprising for a bowling line-up consisting of so many superstars. Yet their four bowlers picked at least eight wickets showing how equally everyone chipped in. 

But their close matches will be something to worry about. It is a good sign that they are winning these close games. Yet they would not want their opponents to strangle them every time. They would want to win a game comprehensively for a change and the semi-final is a perfect place to do that. 

Afghanistan had been blessed by both individual brilliance as well as team performance in their dream run of this ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Two of the top three run-scorers of this World Cup are from their side. The same is the case in the top wicket-takers list as well. But their bowlers have done it better and took three places in the top five wicket-takers list. This just shows how well every player has played their role. In one tournament, they have beaten both Australia and New Zealand in their fairytale journey. And they will look to keep making it better by winning the semi-final as well. From the start of the tournament, Afghanistan were the ‘Dark Horse’ of the tournament because of the condition. And they did justice to it. 

Read more: India, Afghanistan into T20 World Cup semifinals after dramatic Super 8 finale

However, they still have a lot to improve. Their batting is too dependent on their opening pair which is a worrying side and something they will look to do better forward. 

Table: South Africa Team Performance in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

Table: Afghanistan Performance in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

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Read more: T20 World Cup: Afghanistan march to semifinals after dramatic win against Bangladesh

SA vs AFG H2H T20I Records So Far

Table: Head-to-Head T20I Records Between South Africa and Afghanistan So Far

Table: SA vs AFG H2H Records in T20 World Cup Tournaments So Far

These two sides only met twice in T20Is, both at T20 World Cups (2010 and 2016). South Africa came victorious every time. 

Read more: T20 World Cup: England secures spot in the semis, South Africa beats West Indies by 3 wickets

Probable Lineups

Most Probable XI of South Africa Team 

Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram (Captain), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Most Probable XI of Afghanistan Team 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (Captain), Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Key Players to Watch in South Africa Team

Anrich Nortje 

He is one of the key reasons South Africa have been so good in this tournament. Wherever the opponents looked to gain a strong foothold in the game, the captain handed him the bowl and he delivered well. In this game, South Africa’s main objective would be to break Afghanistan’s opening pair. Anrich Nortje is an expert in this job and South Africa will rely on him for this.  

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Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj 

Tabraiz Shamsi was Man of the Match in their win against West Indies which took them to the semi-final. Afghanistan have some lacking dealing with spin. It is evident when they have lost 17 wickets this tournament to a leg-spinner or a left-arm spinner. Therefore, the combination of these two ace spinners from South Africa, in a condition that might very well favor the spinners, will be massive in deciding this game.  

Heinrich Klaasen 

He is arguably among the best hitters of the game currently. He can easily change the course of the game. The pitches at Trinidad and Tobago have favored the spinners. The spinners of Afghanistan come in the attack in the middle-overs. As a result, Heinrich Klassen would be crucial to keep South Africa’s run rate flowing against the deadly spin attack of Afghanistan. 

Key Players to Watch in Afghanistan Team

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran  

They have been almost 90% of the batting for Afghanistan. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the highest run-scorer while Ibrahim Zadran is the 3rd highest run-scorer of this tournament.  Both combined scored 510 runs in this World Cup which is almost 53% of the total runs Afghanistan scored in this World Cup. They have in total made 455 runs together which is the highest by some distance by any pair. They also have the 3 100+ partnerships, the only pair to do so, along with another 50+ runs partnership. Similarly, 3 of the 6 highest partnerships were scored by them. They have carried Afghanistan in the batting so far and they need to do it again in the biggest game of their career so far. 

Read more: Afghanistan-South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal pits cricket's overachievers against underachievers

Rashid Khan

There would not be much reason needed for one of the best bowlers in the world to be important in his nation’s biggest match. However, South Africa historically struggles against spin. Therefore, his role would be crucial in dispatching the dangerous middle order of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Marco Jansen

Fazalhaq Farooqi 

He is the highest wicket-taker of this tournament. As a result, he is an automatic important player for the game. However, he needs to be his best version for this game in particular. Quinton de Kock can give a killer blow at the beginning of the innings. So it is necessary to get him early. Fazalhaq Farooqi with his record against lefty batters is the right person for it. 

Verdict

South Africa will start the match as favorites because of their higher pedigree. Also, they are yet to lose in this tournament. However, given their history in World Cup semi-finals, Afghanistan might very well feel they are in it equally and fancy their chances for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Finale. On the whole, it is expected that the SA vs AFG Semi-final will be competitive and enjoyable. 

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