Afghanistan's dream World Cup run ends in heavy loss to SA

AFGHANISTAN’S dream run at the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup came to a crashing end on June 26 after being dismissed for 56 against South Africa in the semifinals.

Afghanistan, considered minnows in international cricket just a few years ago, have shown they deserve to compete in the same tournament as powerhouse teams like Australia. Afghanistan defeated Australia in the Super Eight stage of the tournament.

The Rashid Khan-led outfit would have liked to put on a more competitive display at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, but it was not meant to be.

The Afghans would have been anticipating playing at the Brian Lara venue, as the West Indies legend the ground is named after picked them to advance to the semifinals.

The total Afghanistan posted was the seventh-lowest score in the history of the tournament.

On the other hand, South Africa moved one step closer to winning their maiden T20 World Cup title. The South Africans got to 60/1 in 8.5 overs to win by nine wickets and confirm a spot in their first final.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran have been fruitful for Afghanistan at the top of the order, but left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen got an early breakthrough in the first over to start the demolition.

Gurbaz (duck) found a thick edge and was caught by Reeza Hendricks at second slip to leave Afghanistan on 4/1.

Gulbadin Naib settled down quickly hitting a couple boundaries, but he was also outfoxed by Jansen as he was bowled for nine with a delivery that kept a bit low.

Jansen generated bounce off the wicket which proved to be a handful for the Afghans.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada kept the pressure on Afghanistan, dismissing Zadran for two. Later in the over he sent back Mohammad Nabi in identical fashion for duck.

It was a double-wicket maiden for Rabada as Afghanistan were now reeling on 20/4 after four overs.

It went from bad to worse as Nangeyalia Kharote gave wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock a catch down the leg side attempting an attacking shot.

At the end of the six-over powerplay, Afghanistan were looking for answers as they were 28/5.

Before Afghanistan could add more runs to the total, Azmatullah Omarzai was next to go as Anrich Nortje got his wicket for ten.

Karim Janat and captain Rashid Khan avoided further collapse for a few overs, guiding Afghanistan to 50.

The mini recovery ended when left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was introduced into the bowling attack.

Just as Rabada did earlier in the innings, Shamsi took two wickets in one over as Afghanistan sunk to 50/8 after ten overs.

Janat (eight) and Noor Ahmad (duck) were given out leg before by the umpire. The pair may have considered themselves unlucky as when both decisions were reviewed by Afghanistan it showed the ball was only clipping the stumps.

The Afghans only added a few more runs as the innings ended in 11.5 overs. Only Omarzai got into double figures (ten).

For South Africa, Shamsi took 3/6; Jansen grabbed 3/16; Nortje 2/7; and Rabada 2/14.

Afghanistan got an early wicket as de Kock was bowled by the leading wicket-taker in the tournament Fazalhaq Farooqi for five.

The South Africa batsmen also had their challenges as the bouncy wicket proved a tricky one for them as Hendricks and skipper Aiden Markram tried to avoid further loss.

As the innings progressed, Markram and Hendricks seemed to adjust to the conditions as the runs started to flow.

They wrapped up the win for South Africa. Hendricks ended on 29 not out and Markram was unbeaten on 23.

The second semifinal between India and England will be played on June 27 at Providence Stadium, Guyana at 10.30 am.

The winner of that match will play South Africa in the final on June 29 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Summarised Scores:

AFGHANISTAN 56 (11.5 overs) (Azmatullah Omarzai 10; Tabraiz Shamsi 3/6, Marco Jansen 3/16, Anrich Nortje 2/7, Kagiso Rabada 2/14) vs SOUTH AFRICA 60/1 (8.5 overs) (Reeza Hendricks 29 not out, Aiden Markram 23 not out). South Africa won by nine wickets.