South African skipper Aiden Markram has been able to break the semifinal jinx for his side, as the Proteas crushed Afghanistan to book a final berth in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup.
The encounter at Brian Lara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday was a rather one-sided affair. Batting first, Afghanistan was bundled out for 56 runs in just 11.5 overs. Playing their first semifinal game, the Afghans looked out of colour, as only one batter, Azmatullah Omarzai, managed to get a double-figure score. That Omarzai’s 10 runs were the second highest contributor, behind the 13 extra runs conceded by South African bowlers, tells the story of the monumental failure of the batters.
Needless to say, the bowlers from the Rainbow Nation were ruthless in their pursuits. Chinaman Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers. The left arm leg spinner spent just six runs in his 1.5 overs, while picking up three wickets. The chief destructor, however, was pacer Marco Jansen, who too picked up three Afghan wickets.
Pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje shared the remaining four wickets, two each amongst themselves.
Chasing 57, South Africa received an early jolt, losing the seasoned Quinton de Kock early. The South African wicketkeeper departed for five runs. Joining Reeza Hendricks at the other end, skipper Markram survived early jitters to see his team home.
Hendricks’ 29 and Markram’s 23 prevented any further hiccups in the Proteas camp. Jansen was adjudged the Player of the Match for his figures of 3/16 in three overs.
South Africa will now play the winner of India vs England, which will take place on Thursday (local time).