SA VS AFG T20I

Right then, that is it from this one-sided 1st Semi-Final where South Africa after all their historic struggles have finally made it to an ICC World Cup final. It was a huge heartbreak for Afghanistan but they have had a special journey in this tournament. Now, it is time to find out who will face the Proteas in the big finale. The 2nd Semi-Final between India and England will start on 27th June, Thursday at 8 pm IST (2.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Aiden Markram, the victorious skipper of South Africa says it feels good. He says it's not only the captain that gets you here, but the massive squad effort and says that he is fortunate to have lost the toss as they would have batted first as well. He says they were brilliant with the ball and bowled in the right areas. Adds that their bowlers have been incredible throughout the tournament. Mentions it was tough to bat and adds they had a bit of luck. Tells that they had a few close games but they managed to sail through. On being asked about the final, he says it is one more step for them and an opportunity they never had. Says this win means a lot and they have got world class players on the side. Ends up crediting the entire squad for delivering such a clinical performance.

Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan says that it was a tough game as a team for them. Adds that they could have batted better but the conditions were not easy, and credits South Africa for their bowling. Mentions that in T20s getting a good start is important, they had a setback when Mujeeb got injured but the way Naveen, Nabi, and Farooqi performed, was great to see. Says that it has been a great World Cup for them and they are proud of how they have played and achieved some excellent results here beating some big teams. Further adds that next time when they participate in an ICC event, the belief will be there but they know that there is still a lot of hard work to do and hopefully, they will perform better than this next time. Ends by acknowledging all the support that they had throughout the World Cup.

Marco Jansen is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his scintillating 3-fer. He says it is an awesome feeling and says the guys played really well and executed the plans to perfection. Says they didn't know how it would play and says it was all about keeping it simple by bowling good lines and lengths. Adds everyone was calm on the field and stuck to their plans. On being asked about Aiden Markram's captaincy, he says Markram is known for his calmness. Says he is a great captain. He wraps up by saying they will celebrate this win and get to the finale on a positive note.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, Afghanistan posted the lowest-ever total in an ICC T20 World Cup Semi-Final as they had no answers to the fiery bowling attack of the Proteas. It was very disappointing for them as it happened in probably the biggest game of their careers. Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi picked up three wickets each while Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje shared four wickets equally to dismantle the Afghans. While chasing, Afghanistan tried their very best to trouble the South African batters but just did not have enough runs on the board. Naveen-ul-Haq picked up the only wicket that fell, but it was their batting that let them down in this big encounter.

South Africa knew that the wicket was not easy to bat on and Quinton de Kock tried to be aggressive but lost his wicket early in the process. Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram struggled to get going due to the uneven bounce and trickiness of the wicket but the good thing was that they did not give their wicket away. The duo took their time and got through that period and then the runs started to flow as well. After that, they navigated the chase nicely and stayed unbeaten to take them over the line quite comfortably.

PROTEAS POWER THEMSELVES THROUGH TO THE FINAL! They have finally managed to get past the semi-final hurdle and this was a complete domination by them. South Africa also keep their unbeaten streak intact and they are heading to Barbados with a lot of confidence and momentum. Afghanistan had an off-day but that does not take anything away they have achieved in this T20 World Cup, and they should be mighty proud of themselves.

FOUR! DONE AND DUSTED! SOUTH AFRICA IS HEADING TO BARBADOS FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER T20 WORLD CUP FINAL! This is bowled full in length, and angles on the off stump, Reeza Hendricks presents the full flourish of the willow and drives it downtown past mid off for a boundary to seal the deal. South Africa maintains their unbeaten merry way in this tournament winning the first semifinal by 9 wickets. Happy emotional faces all around the South African camp. And it was just not meant to be for Afghanistan.

SIX! Just beyond the ropes and the scores are level now! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs it short and it rises up with the bounce on the bodyline, Reeza Hendricks bends a bit and manages to pull it all the way over deep square leg for a six. Also, that brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

Full in length, and on the fourth stump line, Aiden Markram takes the front foot out and goes for an expansive drive through covers but inside edges it to square leg for a single. Oh, wait! Azmatullah Omarzai has overstepped here and the umpire calls a No Ball. Free-Hit to follow now.

Wild swing and a miss there! Short and jagging back in sharply, Aiden Markram goes for a pull shot but the ball pings his body and lobs towards the point region.

FOUR! In a hurry now! Gloriousness written all over it! Offers more width on the back of a length, Aiden Markram hits it on the rise and gets it over mid off for a boundary.

On the back of a length, outside off, Reeza Hendricks caresses it on the up through the cover-point gap for a single.

Bowls it full in length and outside off, Aiden Markram drives it nicely but finds backward point. South Africa need only 14 runs to win now and they have all the time in the world to do so.

FOUR! Pulled away powerfully! Short in length, and on the top of the off and middle, Aiden Markram stands tall, rides on the bounce and pulls it using his wrists over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Almost a half-tracker on the off stump, Reeza Hendricks punches it through covers for a single.