T20 World Cup 2024, 1st Semi-Final, South Africa vs Afghanistan: Afghanistan win the toss against South Africa, choose to bat first

The 1st semi-final match of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be played between South Africa vs Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba in Trinidad on June 27 at 8:30 PM local. However, Afghanistan have won the toss and have opted to bat.

South Africa’s Team Journey

South Africa are on a 7-match winning streak in the 2024 T20 World Cup. But, their journey haven’t been as easy as it seems! Barring their opening game against Sri Lanka which they won quite convincingly, the other opponents have given them a run for their money. Nepal came astonishingly close to topple them and that should tell you the story!

The Proteas have stuttered and stumbled but have found ways to come out on top. Considering South Africa’s shambolic history in knockout games, the experience of having played nervy contests might just turn the tide in their favour this time around.

Afghanistan’s Team Journey

Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in a nail-biting contest a couple of nights back, the streets of Kabul to Kandahar overflowed with people brimming with joy! Their tight win against New Zealand in the group stage was a confidence-booster. Though they suffered big losses against West Indies and India, they didn’t lose self-belief! After that, the win against Australia in the Super Eight truly revealed their calibre.

South Africa vs Afghanistan: Who said what at the toss?

Rashid Khan: We would like to bat first, it’s a fresh wicket and we will like to have a good total on the board. The middle-order hasn’t got much time in the middle, they have to come out in the 15-16th over and it’s not easy. It’s good that the top-order has taken responsibility and they have batted very well. When you have a 4-hour delay flight, it’s not easy. Doesn’t matter if you sleep 1 hour, you have to be at your best. We are going with the same lineup.

Aiden Markram: We would have probably batted first as well but it’s a fresh wicket. We haven’t nailed it quite with the bat yet, conditions have been tough. Hopefully, we will do well with the bat and ball and step up in the semi-final. Same team for us.

Playing XIs:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi