T20 World Cup: South Africa Break Semi-Final Jinx With Crushing Win Over Afghanistan

Bhubaneswar: Breaking the agonizing semifinal jinx, South Africa on Thursday routed Afghanistan by 9 wickets at Tarouba, Trinidad, to enter their maiden T20 World Cup final.

The Proteas, who had failed to progress from all seven of their previous World Cup semi-finals across formats beginning 1992, dismissed Afghanistan for 56 in 11.5 overs with an awe-inspiring performance with the ball on a tricky pitch. Afghans lost half their side inside the first five overs, first for any team in the powerplay of a T20 World Cup semi-final.

Player of the Match Marco Jansen scalped 3 wickets, while pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje claimed 2 wickets each before Tabraiz Shamsi cleaned up the tail with figures of 3/16 in just 11 balls.

It’s also the first time a team has bowled out their opposition for under 100 in a Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final.

Despite the early wicket of Quinton de Kock (5), the calm top order of Reeza Hendricks (29*)* and Aiden Markram (23) then helped the Proteas complete their chase within 9 overs.

They will face either India or England, who meet in the second semi-final in Guyana at 8pm IST,  in the decider in Barbados.