Match Details
Date: June 27, 2024
Time: 6:00 AM IST
Venue: Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad
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Preview
South Africa will play against Afghanistan in the first semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. It will be a do-or-die match for both teams as the winner from here will seal a berth in T20 World Cup 2024 final.
While the Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan are coming into this match after back-to-back wins in the T20 World Cup 2024, including a thumping defeat for the former champions Australia. On the other hand, South Africa are one of the teams who are yet to lose a match in the marquee tournament and enter the semifinals after wins over USA, reigning champions England and West Indies in the Super 8.
Pitch Report
The pitches at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad tend to be very good for batting in T20Is, but it can get slower with regular cricket, allowing the bowlers to make an impact. With that, the average first innings of 138 at this venue could be a great score when South Africa and Afghanistan play against each other in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Team Analysis
South Africa
South Africa will be buoyed by Quinton de Kock, who scored some vital runs against the USA as well as England in the Super 8 Group 2 clash in the T20 World Cup 2024. Along with him, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klaasen will have to step up, adding depth to their batting department. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada have been quite impressive with the ball, and the likes of Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj have also chipped in with decent bowling spells during the tournament.
South Africa squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Aiden Markram (c), Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs
Afghanistan
Afghanistan have been in their prime, beating the likes of New Zealand and Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024. After going down against India in their Super 8 opener, the Rashid Khan-led side rose to the occasion and toppled Australia and Bangladesh to seal a semifinals berth. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, along with captain Rashid Khan have been the top performers for them in the tournament and will be expected to perform once again.
Afghanistan squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik
Match Prediction
Conclusion
South Africa and Afghanistan have only played two T20Is so far in their cricketing history and on both occasions, the Protea Men have come out victorious. In the upcoming match, South Africa no doubt will be favourites to win the match, but after the Afghan Atalans dismantled the Aussies, one cannot deny the possibility of they coming out on top.
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