Preview: Afghanistan, the knockout debutants, will face South Africa, a team with a history of ‘unlucky’ knockout appearances. In addition, the winner of Afghanistan and South Africa will become the new finalist in the history of the T20 and ODI World Cups.
Afghanistan won their last super-8 game by eight runs. In their last super-8 game, the Proteas defeated the hosts, West Indies, by three wickets. Notably, this will be Afghanistan’s first appearance in the Semi-Finals of the T20 World Cup since its creation 17 years ago, in 2007.
South Africa has remained unblemished in the latest edition of the renowned cricket series. Aiden Markram’s team won four consecutive games in the group stage and three more in the tournament’s super-8 round.
T20 World Cup 2024, Semi-Final 1, AFG vs SA
Venue: Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
Date & Time: Thursday, June 27, 6:00 AM
Pitch Report: The Brian Lara Stadium pitch in Trinidad is considered as a pacers’ paradise since the team that has chosen to bowl here after winning the toss has won all of its matches. Given the stats from the last two years at this site, the team that bowled first has a winning rate of 80%.
PROBABLE PLAYING XI
South Africa (SA): Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (C), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi
Afghanistan (AFG): Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia kharote, Rashid Khan (C), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad
