Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup Semi-Final: Match preview
Afghanistan has overcome all odds to reach their first-ever ICC semifinal. They will now play South Africa, who is undefeated and eager to erase their winless record in World Cup semifinals.
The South African team, led by Aiden Markram, will try to continue their winning streak when they play Afghanistan in the first semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Thursday, June 27 at 6:00 AM IST.
The Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium, situated in Trinidad and Tobago has been one of the venues for the 2024 ICC T20 world Cup. It has hosted 4 T20 World Cup 2024 matches yet, and will be hosting the semifinal match between South Africa and Afghanistan on Thursday.
Everyone can take something away from the pitch. This stadium has a neutral surface that supports both bowlers and batters equally, in contrast to most T20I pitches. This pitch has a first innings average of about 129 runs scored.
The first semi-final between RSA and AFG appears to be safe from rain. There are indications that the match may be cloudy because it will take place at night. It is predicted that the average temperature will be approximately 17°C, with up to 31% of clouds.
The ICC has taken action to ensure that a result is achieved in the event if the rain spoils the RSA vs. AFG semi-final match. There will be a reserve day for the first semi-final, but not for the second. However, if there is no progress in the match, the Proteas will qualify for the final for finishing higher in the Super 8 Group 2 points table.
So far in the tournament, South Africa has only utilized twelve players, switching between Tabriaz Shamsi and Ottneil Baartman based on the conditions and opponents each day. Baartman’s extra pace could unsettle a few in the opposition ranks, and including another left-arm orthodox spinner in Bjorn Fortuin would be an unusual move. Shamsi played in just three games this World Cup, but he was named Player of the Match in two of them. However, the majority of Afghanistan’s batting lineup consists of right-handers, which is his least preferred matchup to bowl against. Instead of Karim Janat, Afghanistan would be tempted to add a left-hander like Hazratullah Zazai or Najibullah Zadran to strengthen their faltering middle order.
Squads:
South Africa Squad: 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, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Ryan Rickelton
Afghanistan Squad: 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, Najibullah Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Hazratullah Zazai, Mohammad Ishaq
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