Fans in shock as South Africa packs Afghanistan for the lowest-ever total in T20 World Cup semi-final

Afghanistan’s promising campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 met a heartbreaking end as they suffered a resounding defeat against South Africa in the semi-final held at Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. Expectations were high as Rashid Khan’s side took on the Proteas, but their hopes were dashed by a formidable display of pace bowling and strategic prowess from the South African team.

Rashid Khan’s Critical Toss Decision

Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Afghanistan’s decision under Rashid Khan’s leadership seemed poised to test South Africa’s resolve. However, the plan quickly backfired as South Africa’s opening bowlers, spearheaded by the towering figure of Marco Jansen, tore through Afghanistan’s top order with devastating effect. The early breakthroughs set the stage for a collapse that would define the match.

Jansen and Rabada: Architects of Collapse

Marco Jansen’s opening spell was nothing short of spectacular, immediately putting Afghanistan on the back foot with his accurate bowling and ability to extract bounce from the pitch. Jansen struck early, removing key batsmen including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, which set the tone for Afghanistan’s downward spiral. Kagiso Rabada joined in the onslaught, delivering a blistering opening over that claimed two wickets, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 23/5 within the first few overs.

Clinical Display by South African Bowlers

The South African bowling attack maintained relentless pressure throughout Afghanistan’s innings, leaving no room for recovery. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi complemented Jansen and Rabada’s efforts by picking up crucial wickets, ensuring Afghanistan’s batsmen had no respite. With disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, South Africa executed their plan flawlessly, restricting Afghanistan to a paltry 56 runs, the lowest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup semi-final.

Afghanistan’s Batting Collapse and Record

The Afghan batting line-up crumbled under the weight of South Africa’s precision. Apart from Gulbadin Naib, who managed to reach double figures with a score of just 10 runs, no other batsman could withstand the onslaught. Poor shot selection and the inability to rotate strike compounded Afghanistan’s woes, highlighting their struggles against quality pace bowling on a challenging pitch. Notably, Afghanistan failed to hit a single six during their innings, underscoring their difficulty in finding boundaries against the Proteas.

Disappointment Among Afghan Fans

Fans and supporters of Afghanistan’s cricket team were left in shock and dismay by the sudden collapse in such a crucial match. Social media platforms were flooded with expressions of disappointment and admiration for the team’s journey to the semi-finals, despite the bitter end. Many praised Afghanistan for their resilience and progress in international cricket, emphasizing the pride they brought to the nation through their performances.

Historical Context of Low Totals in T20 World Cup Semi-Finals

The defeat marked a significant moment in T20 World Cup history, with Afghanistan’s 56 all out against South Africa becoming the lowest total ever recorded in a semi-final match. This statistic places their batting collapse in stark historical context, alongside other notable low-scoring semi-final encounters in previous editions of the tournament.

South Africa’s Path to the Final

In contrast to Afghanistan’s struggles, South Africa’s clinical performance with both bat and ball underscored their status as strong contenders for the T20 World Cup title. The Proteas comfortably chased down the target of 57 runs in just 8.5 overs, losing only one wicket in the process. Their dominance in the semi-final sets the stage for an exciting final showdown, where they will aim to capitalize on their momentum and lift the coveted trophy.

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