'South Africa will win T20 World Cup 2024 if...' - Brad Hogg's bold prediction stuns cricket world

Former Australian spinner and cricket pundit Brad Hogg has made a bold prediction for the first semifinal of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 between South Africa and Afghanistan on June 27 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.

Hogg has predicted that if the Aiden Markram-led South Africa cricket team manages to beat the upbeat Afghanistan cricket team in the first semifinal, then nobody can stop them from being crowned as the T20 World Cup 2024 champions.

The Aussie claimed that the Proteas team has a great chance to lift their maiden coveted ICC trophy on June 29 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. The South African team is on fire in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, winning all seven of their group stages and Stuper-8 stages matches leading up to the semi-finals.

Brad Hogg backs South Africa for T20 World Cup 2024 glory if they overcome Afghanistan challenge

Their consistent performance and record-breaking winning streak make them a strong favorite to win the trophy. South Africa reached the semi-finals seven times previously, but they couldn’t make it to the finals.

Given the past record, Hogg noted that South Africa will not have to face Australia, against whom they have lost three out of four semifinals, in the T20 World Cup 2024 knockouts, so they will have a golden chance to end their ICC trophy drought.

Brad Hogg said in the Star Sports Press Room Show ahead of the SA vs AFG match: “They are just spawning from here. It's amazing. I regard Reeza Hendricks as well; I really like him as a player. And then you've got to build a wall, they can build a nice spin. Especially with Heinrich Klassen. I expect him to do really well against Afghanistan and get to the finals.”

The former Australian spinner also hailed the Proteas spin duo of Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, saying it will be key for them to take the team to the finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He reiterated that the Proteas will win the trophy with a win over Afghanistan in the semifinal.

Brad Hogg hails Aiden Markram's captaincy in T20 World Cup 2024

Hogg added, “I think it is going to be South Africa and we have got a really strong squad, good spin with Shamsi and Maharaj. I don't plan on the big nations now, and I think they'll have to go out there and play it out again instead and just have that confidence to go with the final side. For me, if I get past that semi-final right, South Africa is going to win the final this year.”

The commentator also lauded the South African skipper, Markram, saying he really likes his captaincy, calm, and composure. He also mentioned that South Africa has a balanced team, so they just have to avoid panicking and taking pressure and instead take on the Afghan side with a lot of confidence.

Hogg signed off by saying, “I just think I've got the team balanced and I've got the aggression as well. I've got that kindness. I really like Markram as the captain. He is correct and very composed. And I also think, we are going to win as a very well-composed team, not panicking and just setting the right conditions.”