South Africa storm into first-ever WC final

TRINIDAD&TOBAGO (West Indies): South Africa blew away Afghanistan for just 56 runs to achieve a commanding nine-wicket win to move into the T20 World Cup final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Ground.

In a semi-final that lasted for just 20.4 overs, Afghanistan team batsmen fell like ninepins, getting bowled out for 56 in 11.5 overs -- the lowest ever total in the knockout stages. South Africa took no time in racing to the target, losing only Quinton de Kock (5) to Fazale Haq Farooqi in the process.

Afghanistan’s fairy tale thus ended without a trace as South Africa marched into their first ever World Cup (T20 or ODI) final. They had to be in the semis for so many times (on seven occasions) but never have made it to the final of any limited-overs World Cup.

Captain Asian Markram (23 not out) and Reeza Hendricks (29 not out) made short work of the target set by struggling Afghanistan. Both players put on 55 runs for the unbroken second wicket to take South Africa into the title decider.

Earlier, Man of the Match Marco Janson (3-16) and Tabraiz Shamsi (3-6) combined to rattle Afghanistan to the lowest T20 World Cup semis total. Kagiso Rabada (2-14) and Anrich Nortje (2-7) also unleashed some sizzlers to crush the Afghanistan batting lineup with full might.

Azmatullah Omarzai (10) was the only Afghanistan batsman to reach double figures, the rest looked ordinary. With no mega batting star in their line-up, Afghanistan looked ordinary to the tone of a club outfit. Instead of settling down and playing all 20 overs, Afghanistan players tried to be aggressive in tough conditions, a strategy that backfired. Within 6.3 overs, Afghanistan lost six batsmen for just 28 runs.

“We could have done a bit better. Conditions were tougher and at the same time, we were unable to bat well. It was a bad day for us in all respect,” Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said. He praised South Africa for bowling well.

“They were exceptional in their bowling and made good use of the conditions.” Markaram became the first South Africa captain to take his team into the final of the World Cup following some close misses. As a captain, he had already won the Under-19 World Cup.

“We are just one match away from the title. Eagerly looking forward to the final in a couple of days. India or England no matter which team reaches final,” Markaram said.