South Africa reached their first T20 World Cup final.
Bowlers dismissed Afghanistan for just 56 runs.
Jansen, Rabada, and Nortje led the bowling attack.
Hendricks and Markram secured the chase comfortably.
In a historic moment for South African cricket, the national team has secured their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final for the first time ever. Their emphatic nine-wicket win over Afghanistan in Trinidad was characterized by a stellar bowling performance and steady batting from the top order.
Dominant Bowling Performance
South Africa’s bowlers set the tone early, dismissing Afghanistan for a mere 56 runs. Marco Jansen led the charge with impressive figures of 3/16 from his three overs. He was well-supported by Kagiso Rabada (2/14) and Anrich Nortje (2/7), who collectively dismantled the Afghan batting lineup. Tabraiz Shamsi then polished off the tail with a swift 3/16 in just 11 balls, marking the first time a team has bowled out their opposition for under 100 runs in a Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final.
Early Breakthroughs
Jansen struck early, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with an outside edge caught by Reeza Hendricks on the last ball of the first over. He continued his assault by beating the defenses of Gulbadin Naib in his second over. At the other end, Rabada delivered a double-wicket maiden, unsettling Ibrahim Zadran and Mohammad Nabi in quick succession. These early breakthroughs left Afghanistan reeling at 24/4 within the first 10 overs.
Sustained Pressure
The relentless pressure from South Africa’s bowlers was maintained as Jansen dismissed Nangeyalia Kharote with a gloved pull shot to Quinton de Kock. Nortje then claimed Azmatullah Omarzai, who attempted a counter-attack but fell for 10 runs off 12 balls. Shamsi’s spin proved too much for the lower order, with Karim Janat, Noor Ahmad, and Naveen-ul-Haq succumbing quickly.
Chasing a Modest Target
South Africa’s chase of 57 runs was handled with composure despite an early setback. Quinton de Kock fell for 5 runs to Fazalhaq Farooqi, who delivered a tight spell of 1/11. However, Reeza Hendricks (29*) and Aiden Markram (23) ensured there were no further alarms, guiding South Africa to victory in just 8.5 overs. Afghanistan’s desperation was evident as they cycled through five bowlers in an attempt to break the partnership.
Player Reflections
Post-match, Marco Jansen reflected on the team’s straightforward game plan and paid tribute to captain Aiden Markram. “For us, it was just sticking to the plan and bowling our best ball. The wicket gave us something to work with, and we kept it simple. Markram’s leadership keeps us calm, and we’ll enjoy the win but focus again tomorrow,” Jansen said.
Markram’s Tribute
Captain Aiden Markram acknowledged the collective effort of the squad and the support from fans back home. “It feels good to make it to the final. It’s a massive squad effort, and we’re thrilled to have one more chance at lifting the trophy. This win is comforting for the fans waking up back home with more grey hairs. There’s a lot of belief in this squad, and it takes everyone to put together such a good game,” Markram stated.
Notable Performances during the Match
Marco Jansen’s key performance: 3 wickets for 16 runs in three overs, dismantling Afghanistan’s top order early.
Kagiso Rabada’s impact: Took 2 wickets for 14 runs, including a double-wicket maiden, maintaining immense pressure.
Anrich Nortje’s contribution: Conceded only 7 runs and claimed 2 crucial wickets, stifling Afghanistan’s middle order.
Tabraiz Shamsi’s finish: Wrapped up the tail with 3 wickets for 16 runs in just 11 balls.
