Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada the pace duo ran through the top order as Afghanistan folded for 56, their lowest total in T20I as South Africa demoralised them by 9 wickets in their T – 20 world cup semi final match played at Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.
South Africa were unbeaten in the competition, topping both their groups in the first stage and Super Eights to enter the final in grand style and they have to play winners of India and England semi final on 29 th.
Proteas dominated the game from the start They bowled beautifully, fielded well, and weathered some difficult early overs while pouncing on the loose balls.
Despite the wicket providing the odd surprise, the South African top order managed to ultimately cruise to the target inside nine overs to enter their first ICC tournament final.
Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan elected to bat first but they were struggling from the beginning losing five wickets within first five overs and Jansen and Rabada were leading the way on this Trinidad wicket .Afghan batters were unable to read the wicket while latter stages leg spinner Tabraiz Samsi did the damage claiming 3 for 6 in 1.5 over spell while Jansen who was adjudged man of the match took 3 for 16 well supported by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje who bagged two wickets each .
South Africa opener Quinton de Kock (5) was out early bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi but Skipper Aiden Markram (23 in 21 balls) and Reza Hendrikas (29 in 25 balls) controlled the game to add 55 run second wicket stand to seal nine wickets win just in 8.5 overs. (D.R)
Chief scores
Afghanistan 56 all out in 11.5 overs (Azmatullah Omarzai 10, Marco Jansen 3/16,Kagiso Rabada 2/14,Anrich Nortje 2/7, Tabraiz Samsi 3/6)
South Africa 60 for 1 wicket in 8.5 overs (Reza Hendrikas 29*, Aiden Markram 23*, Fazalhaq Farooqi 1/11) a
