\T20 World Cup 2024 Final : In a breathtaking display of cricketing prowess, South Africa powered their way into their first ever ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final with a dominant nine wicket victory over Afghanistan in the semi final held at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. This historic win marks a momentous occasion for the Proteas, who have finally broken the semi final jinx that had plagued them in previous World Cups.
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South Africa’s Dominance
Opting to field first, South Africa’s bowlers were on fire from the first ball. Marco Jansen set the tone by removing Afghanistan’s star opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over. His devastating spell continued as he dismantled the Afghan top order, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 for 16.
Kagiso Rabada, not to be outdone, delivered a stunning double wicket maiden in the fourth over, further crippling the Afghan innings. His precision and pace were too much for the Afghan batsmen, and he concluded his spell with 2 for 14. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi then joined the party, each claiming two and three wickets respectively, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 56 all out – the lowest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup semi final.
- Marco Jansen: 3/16 in 3 overs
- Kagiso Rabada: 2/14 in 3 overs
- Anrich Nortje: 2/7 in 3 overs
- Tabraiz Shamsi: 3/6 in 1.5 overs
Afghanistan, despite their heroic journey to the semi finals, were completely outclassed by South Africa’s clinical bowling performance. Azmatullah Omarzai’s 10 off 12 balls was the top score in an otherwise dismal batting display.
Chasing a modest target of 57, South Africa’s batsmen ensured there were no major hiccups. Although they lost Quinton de Kock early to a brilliant delivery from Fazalhaq Farooqi, Reeza Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram took control. The duo exhibited calm and composure, steering their team to victory in just 8.5 overs.
Hendricks finished unbeaten on 29, while Markram contributed a solid 23 not out, securing South Africa’s place in the final with a commanding nine wicket win.
Historic Milestone for South Africa
This triumph is a significant breakthrough for the South African team, who have been often criticized for their inability to perform in the knockout stages of major tournaments. After eight unsuccessful attempts in World Cup semi finals since 1992, this victory is a testament to their resilience and determination.
South African skipper Aiden Markram expressed his delight after the match, saying, “It’s an incredible feeling. The guys executed perfectly today. We just stuck to our plans, bowled good lengths, and it paid off. We’re excited and ready for the final.”
A Learning Curve for Afghanistan
For Afghanistan, this semi final loss is a disappointing end to an otherwise remarkable campaign. They have shown immense promise and have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in this tournament. Their journey to the semi-finals, marked by spirited performances and nail-biting victories, has won them many fans around the globe. Afghanistan will undoubtedly take this experience as a learning opportunity and come back stronger in future tournaments.
As South Africa celebrates this monumental achievement, they now eagerly await the outcome of the second semi-final between India and England. Regardless of their opponent in the final, the Proteas are determined to lift the coveted T20 World Cup trophy for the first time.
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FAQ
When is the T20 World Cup 2024 final?
June 29, 2024
