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Kathmandu, June 12 – The first semi-final match of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup will be between Afghanistan and South Africa. The match will start at 6:15 am Nepal time on Thursday at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.
The winner of this match will advance to the final for the first time. Afghanistan will advance to the semifinals for the first time and South Africa will advance to the semifinals for the third time. South Africa was previously eliminated in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup in 2009 and 2014. South Africa will be the winner of Group 2 and advance to the semifinals this time.
South Africa remained unbeaten in this World Cup with 7 consecutive wins. South Africa defeated Nepal, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Sri Lanka in the group stage. Ten years later, they defeated England, USA and West Indies in the second group of the Super Eights and reached the semi-finals. On the other hand, Afghanistan defeated Australia by 21 points and reached the semi-finals for the first time in history. Afghanistan participated in the semi-finals as the runner-up of the first group of the Super Eights.
South Africa has struggled with spin. After Nepali spinner Kulash Bhurtel took 4 wickets and Dipendra Singh Airey took 3 wickets, South Africa could only manage 115 runs. Afghanistan will be looking to exploit this weakness. The duo of Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed could be lethal.
Henrik Klaasen is the best spin batsman in the South African team. Openers Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Aiden McCrum will have to play a big innings. Opener Riza Hendrix has been underwhelming. In his place, Ryan Rickelton, who has been doing well in domestic cricket, could be the surprise package.
The main weapon of South Africa’s bowling is the attack. Kagiso Rabada, Enrich Norcia and Marco Jansson are the pace weapons. The spinners are Tabrez Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj. The main challenge for South Africa’s batsmen will be to score against Afghanistan’s spin.
On the other hand, Afghanistan’s batsmen depend on Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The two pairs have exchanged three centuries in this World Cup. Gurbaz is first with 281 points while Zadran is third with 229 points.
Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqui topped the list with 16 wickets. Naveen Ul Haq supported him well at the other end by picking up 13 wickets. Both Afghanistan and South Africa relied on their bowling attack.
The T20I tournament has been played in two matches between South Africa and Afghanistan. South Africa has won both matches. The last time South Africa won the T20 World Cup was in 2016 when South Africa won by 37 runs.
The next semi-final will be played between India and England at 8:15 pm on Thursday. If the match is stopped due to rain, both semi-finals will be reserved for the reserved day.
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