SA vs AFG Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Semi-Final 1

South Africa and Afghanistan take on each other in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. This is the first time that Afghanistan made it to the semi-final of any ICC event. For South Africa, it is their first T20 World Cup semi-final appearance since 2014.

SA vs AFG Date and Venue

The SA vs AFG Super 8 match will be played in Trinidad on June 27 from 6 am IST which is 8.30 pm local time. This is the third time the two teams will be facing off in T20 World Cups.

SA vs AFG Match Preview- ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Semi-Final 1

Afghanistan

The Afghans have been the giant killers in this tournament. Theay they have played and progressed to the semi-finals is a fairy tale story. They first beat New Zealand and knocked them out of the tournament.

They next beat Australia in the Super 8s which was a win for the ages. Their win against Bangladesh knocked out pre-tournament favorites Australia out of the tournament.

Throughout the tournament, they have played with their best XI on the field. The openers have stood up as have the experienced bowlers. Rahman. Two out of the top three run-getters and wicket-takers are from Afghanistan.

This goes to show the kind of impact they have had with bat and ball throughout the tournament. They have all the arsenal to upset South Africa and possibly make it to their first T20 World Cup final.

Also Read: "Bambai se aaya mera dost"- Rashid Khan rubs salts on the wounds of Pakistan and Australia

Afghanistan Squad

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. Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi

South Africa

This has been South Africa's best T20 World Cup campaign so far. They have remained unbeaten and won seven games so far. So far they have beaten teams like Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Bangladesh, Nepal, USA, England, and West Indies. The Protead knocked out the USA, and West Indies in the Super 8s.

Their premier batters and bowlers have been in good form since the Suoper 8s. Quinton de Kock who struggled in the Group stage have found form in the Super 8s. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi have worked well as a combination. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada have delivered as well.

South Africa Squad 

Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel 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

SA vs AFG Key Battles

Quinton de Kock vs Naveen-Ul-Haq

The Afghanistan pacer has bowled well to the left-handers and foxed them with his change-up deliveries. He also has troubled them with the full-pitch swinging delivery. De Kock will be on the radar of Naveen who are teammates at Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.

Heinrich Klaasen vs Rashid Khan

Klaasen's job will be to take on the spinners in the middle-overs, something that has done very well in the last 12-15 months. Rashid Khan will bring himself on as a match-up against him and will look to dismiss him.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Kagiso Rabada / Anrich Nortje

The two South African pacers are expected to hunt in pairs as they will look to gun down the top run-getter in the tournament so far. Gurbaz batts better when his team is batting first as opposed to when chasing. Hence, South Africa should know this stat about him. He averages above 50 batting first in T20Is.

SA vs AFG Key Players 

For Afghanistan, Gurbaz and Ibrahim will be their key batters. With the ball, Rashid, Naveen, Nabi, and Farooqi will be key.

For South Africa, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasesn, and David Miller will be the key batters. With the ball, Rabada, Nortje, Shamsi, and Maharaj are key as always.

SA vs AFG Weather and Pitch Report

The match starts at 8.30 pm local time in Trinidad. The temperatures will be around 26 degrees and there will be rain on the horizon. Humidity will be as high as 82 degrees and rain remains a major threat.

Conclusion

Both teams are eyeing their first T20 World Cup final appearance. The team who wins will face either India or England in the final.

Also Read: Afghanistan's win over Bangladesh forces Sachin Tendulkar to say this openly