Aoba Tanaka 
South Africa’s bowlers delivered a masterclass to dismantle Afghanistan for just 56 runs, securing a dominant nine-wicket victory in the first semi-final of the men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The win propels South Africa to their first-ever men’s World Cup final and extends their unbeaten streak in the tournament to eight matches.
Afghanistan’s top order crumbled under the pressure from South Africa’s formidable pace attack. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada wreaked havoc in the opening overs, claiming five wickets within the first five overs. Jansen struck early, removing the tournament’s standout batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and then bowled Gulbadin Naib through the gate. Rabada followed with a devastating over, hitting the stumps of Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi with precision.
The middle order offered little resistance, and Afghanistan’s innings folded quickly. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi finished the job, with Nortje taking out Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan, while Shamsi trapped three batters lbw.
Chasing a modest target, South Africa lost Quinton de Kock early, but Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks steadied the ship. Despite the tricky pitch conditions at Tarouba, they guided South Africa to a comfortable victory with 67 balls to spare.
This clinical performance underscores South Africa’s dominance in the tournament, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure and seize crucial moments. They now look ahead to the final, poised to potentially secure their first T20 World Cup title.
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