Unbeaten Proteas Set for T20 World Cup Semi-Final Against Afghanistan
The Proteas, led by Aiden Markram, have an ostensibly easier encounter in the T20 World Cup semi-final this week, but they can’t afford to take anything for granted.
South Africa will face Afghanistan in the semi-final on Thursday after Afghanistan triumphed over Bangladesh by eight runs using the Duckworth Lewis method on Tuesday morning. The other semi-final will feature defending champions England against India on the same day.
The Proteas, unbeaten throughout the T20 World Cup, secured their semi-final spot by defeating host West Indies by 3 wickets. Tabraiz Shamsi, the versatile spinner from the Titans, claimed 3 wickets for just 27 runs, limiting the Windies to 135 runs in 20 overs. In a rain-affected match reduced to 17 overs, the Proteas chased down 124 to win.
After the match, Proteas’ captain Aiden Markram admitted that his team could have finished the game earlier.
“I think we would have liked to have been a lot more convincing in getting the job done,” Markram said. “We didn’t take care of those partnerships to get us closer and kill the game. We were probably looking to kill the game too early. I’m a big fan of guys wanting to take the game on and to kill it early, but we have to weigh it up on the night and tonight we peaked a little early.”
PROTEAS TO PLAY AFGHANISTAN IN T20 WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL
“Having left out the seamer [Ottneil Baartman], we felt we needed a few extra overs of spin in the power play and immediately it started spinning. That’s when I felt we needed to bowl as much spin as we could on this track. The wicket was helping us,” the South African captain explained.
SOUTH AFRICA REACH ANOTHER SEMI-FINAL OF AN ICC EVENT
The Proteas will compete in another World Cup semi-final on Thursday morning at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, with the match starting at 02:00. Rob Walter’s men have won all seven matches in this tournament and are favorites to claim the T20 World Cup alongside India. While Afghanistan has shown impressive performances this tournament, South Africa is expected to be the stronger side.
