SA vs AFG Match Prediction– Who Will Win Today Match Semi Final 1? ICC T20 World Cup 2024

The SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final 1 will be played in Trinidad on Thursday, June 27. The match starts at 6 am IST which is 8.30 pm local time. South Africa and Afghanistan are both eyeing their first ICC T20 World Cup title.

SA vs AFG Team Analysis

Afghanistan

This is the very first time that Afghanistan have reached the semi-final of the T20 World. They have looked good from the outset right from when the tournament started. They first eliminated New Zealand and then the mighty Aussies to set up a semi-final date with South Africa.

They have all the arsenal required to beat the Proteas and even get to the final. Skipper Rashid Khan and co will be fully prepared for their clash against South Africa.

South Africa

South Africa have been unbeaten until now in the T20 World Cup 2024. However, their luck in the semi-finals and finals have not been great. This is the first time they have made it to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup since 2014.

The might of South Africa will be tested in the semi-final. The side has played like champions so far in this World Cup. However, a loss here can knock them out of the tournament and there is no looking back from there on.

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SA vs AFG Key Factors

Pitch Conditions

Trinidad is all set to host the first semi-final. The average first innings score at this venue has been 160 or thereabouts. 160 has been a challenging score to chase batting second. Teams with a good bowling attack will settle for 160 and anything more is a bonus. The spinners from both teams will have a key role to play in this semi-final.

Form and Fitness

There are no fitness concerns in both camp. Form-wise the bowlers from both teams hold the key. Afghanistan has depended heavily on their openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran to give them good starts.

Quinton de Kock has hit form since the Super 8s and Heinrich Klaasen has also found some form. David Miller and Aiden Markram have scored some useful runs as well.

Tactical Acumen

Both Aiden Markram and Rashid Khan have a job on their hands in this semi-final. They will have to size the crunch moments of the game and both the captains have done that beautifully so far. Rashid being an all-rounder skipper and the leading spinner of Afghanistan would like to make the most of this opportunity.

SA vs AFG Score Prediction

Recent Venue Records (Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad)

STATS - T20

Total matches 11

Matches won batting first 4

Matches won bowling first 7

Average 1st Inns scores 135

Average 2nd Inns scores 122

Highest total recorded 267/3 (20 Ov) by ENG vs WI

Lowest total recorded 40/10 (18.4 Ov) by UGA vs NZ

Highest score chased 156/7 (19.5 Ov) by RSAW vs WIW

Lowest score defended 149/6 (20 Ov) by WI vs IND

Who Will Score Most Runs For Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz / Ibrahim Zadran

Who Will Take Most Wickets For Afghanistan: Rashid Khan / Fazalhaq Farooqi

Who Will Score Most Runs For South Africa: Quinton de Kock / Heinrich Klaasen

Who Will Take Most Wickets For South Africa: Kagiso Rabada / Tabraiz Shamsi

SA vs AFG Match Prediction– Who Will Win Today Match Semi-Final 1? ICC T20 World Cup 2024

Afghanistan are yet to beat South Africa in T20Is and they have a big challenge ahead of them in the semi-final. South Africa's unbeaten record gives them the edge in the contest.

Conclusion

It's a massive game between the two teams. The winner will qualify for the T20 World Cup final for the first time and will face either India or England in the final.

According to BetWay, the betting odds for T20 World Cup Semi Final favor SA over AFG, with SA having odds of 1.23 and AFG having odds of 2.89.

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