Little did anyone predict that Afghanistan would be one of the semi-finalists at the T20 World Cup 2024. Beating the likes of New Zealand and Australia by merit is no mean feat, but for the Afghans, a bigger and trickier challenge awaits them when they take on South Africa in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Trinidad on Thursday (Wednesday night in the Caribbean).
Afghanistan’s journey to the semi-finals has been nothing short of remarkable. Their resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks have been the cornerstone of their success. Despite losses to the West Indies and India, Afghanistan showed their mettle by securing crucial victories against top teams, showcasing their growing prowess on the international stage.
South Africa's Dominance
South Africa, on the other hand, has been on a relentless march. Coming off a perfect 100 percent record across both the group stages and the Super 8s, they have been the team to beat. Their batting lineup, led by the experienced Quinton de Kock, has found form at the right time, while their bowling attack, featuring the lethal duo of Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada, has been formidable.
The Proteas have a golden opportunity to shed their "chokers" tag once and for all. Historically, semi-finals have been their stumbling block, with the latest example being their ODI World Cup semi-final loss to Australia last year. However, this South African side seems determined to rewrite the narrative.
Head-to-Head
In T20Is, South Africa and Afghanistan have met only twice, with the Proteas emerging victorious on both occasions. Afghanistan will be eager to break this short winless streak and etch its name in history.
Key Player Battles
1. Quinton de Kock vs Fazalhaq Farooqi
Quinton de Kock has rediscovered his form with crucial fifties against the USA and England. Despite a modest score against the West Indies, the wicketkeeper-batter remains a linchpin for South Africa. De Kock’s performance in the powerplay will be pivotal, especially against Afghanistan’s ace pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi.
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Farooqi, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 16 scalps, has been particularly deadly in the powerplay, claiming nine of his wickets during this phase. The battle between de Kock and Farooqi could set the tone for the match.
2. David Miller vs Rashid Khan
David Miller and Rashid Khan, former teammates at Gujarat Titans in the IPL, will now face off on the international stage. Miller, known for his explosive batting, has had a relatively quiet tournament but remains a crucial cog in South Africa’s middle-order.
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Rashid Khan, Afghanistan’s star spinner, has been exceptional, especially in the middle overs where he has taken all 14 of his wickets. Containing Miller will be a significant challenge for Rashid, and this contest could prove to be a decisive factor in the match.
3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Kagiso Rabada
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s dynamic opener, has shown glimpses of brilliance against top-quality right-arm pacers this tournament. His aggressive approach, especially against Australia’s pace trio, underscores his capability to take on the best.
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Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s spearhead, has been effective in the powerplay, and his duel with Gurbaz will be intriguing. Rabada’s early breakthroughs could put Afghanistan on the back foot, while a strong start from Gurbaz could give the Afghans the upper hand.
Probable Playing XIs
South Africa are likely to retain their winning combination from the match against the West Indies. The conditions in Trinidad favor spin, making it likely that they will continue with two spinners.
South Africa XI: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje
Afghanistan are also expected to stick with their winning formula from the match against Bangladesh. Any changes would likely be minimal, possibly bringing in Hazratullah Zazai as an additional batting option.
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan (Captain), Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq
Pitch and Conditions
The conditions at Tarouba have been characterized by variable bounce during the group stage. However, recent remedial work is expected to produce a more consistent bounce on match day. Dew could also play a significant role, particularly in the second innings, making the toss an important factor.
Final Thoughts
Looking at the vast experience in the knockout stages the proteas have an upper hand in this mega encounter. But as nobody would have thought the Afghanis have surprised everyone equally. The semi-final clash between South Africa and Afghanistan promises to be a thrilling encounter. For South Africa, it’s a chance to overcome past demons and move closer to their first T20 World Cup title. For Afghanistan, it’s an opportunity to continue their fairy-tale run and achieve one of the greatest underdog stories in cricket history. With key player battles and intriguing match-ups, cricket fans around the world are in for a treat.
Inputs by Agencies
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