SA vs AFG Playing 11: Aiden Markram-led South Africa will lock horns with Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan to play the semi-final 1 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on June 27 in Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
South Africa never faced any defeat in this tournament so far while Afghanistan made many dramatic innings to make their way into the semifinals. Particularly their last couple of matches pushed Afghanistan to a newer limit.
Speaking of the match data, at this venue, this is the first time a team won the toss and opted to bat first in 5 matches this World Cup. In those previous 4 matches, the chasing team won three. The average score batting first is 95 runs in those 4 games.
This will be the maiden T20 World Cup semi-final appearance for Afghanistan while South Africa has never won an ICC World Cup semi-final in the previous seven attempts. The Proteas Men have lost six and tied one game against AUS in 1999 at Edgbaston
The winner of the match will advance to the final while the loser will be knocked out of the tournament.
Winning the toss, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said “We would like to bat first, it’s a fresh wicket and we will like to have a good total on the board. The middle-order hasn’t got much time in the middle, they have to come out in the 15-16th over and it’s not easy.
It’s good that the top-order has taken responsibility and they have batted very well. When you have a 4-hour delay flight, it’s not easy. Doesn’t matter if you sleep 1 hour, you have to be at your best. We are going with the same lineup”.
South African captain Aiden Markram said “We would have probably batted first as well but it’s a fresh wicket. We haven’t nailed it quite with the bat yet, conditions have been tough. Hopefully, we will do well with the bat and ball and step up in the semi-final. Same team for us”.
SA vs AFG Playing 11
South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
CHECK: Afghanistan erupts in joy after qualifying for 2024 T20 World Cup semi final – WATCH
