60/1 (8.5)
CR : 6.79
56/10 (11.5)
CR : 4.73
South Africa won by 9 wickets π
Player of the Match
Marco Jansen
3/16
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan Captain): "Well, I think it was a tough night for us as a team. We might have done better than night. We had to be mentally ready for any conditions. But they bowled exceptionally well and we couldn't adapt.
The way the bowlers stood up for us. That's the reason why we got success in this tournament. The pacers set the tone early on and that's what you want. Mujeeb got injured early in the tournament. The way Fazal and Naveen bowled and also Nabi with the new ball, it made our job as spinners easier.
We have enjoyed a lot. We came here before the tournament. Reaching the semi-finals and beating the big teams, we would have taken it at the start. Overall, quite happy with the way we managed ourselves in pressure situations. The guys responded well. It was pleasing for me to see. Also, to beat big teams in this World Cup. It gave us the belief that we can beat any side if we play our best. Next time, the belief will be there and the result will be a bit more better than this.
You take from this competition. You have the skills and the belief and it's about managing yourselves in those situations. Facing tough bowlers and in pressure situations, it was a big learning for us. We have to be a bit more aggressive in the middle order. You can't put everything on the top order. If we can improve in that department, we can be a good team. We have a lot of hard work to do now but happy with this journey so far."
The way the bowlers stood up for us. That's the reason why we got success in this tournament. The pacers set the tone early on and that's what you want. Mujeeb got injured early in the tournament. The way Fazal and Naveen bowled and also Nabi with the new ball, it made our job as spinners easier.
We have enjoyed a lot. We came here before the tournament. Reaching the semi-finals and beating the big teams, we would have taken it at the start. Overall, quite happy with the way we managed ourselves in pressure situations. The guys responded well. It was pleasing for me to see. Also, to beat big teams in this World Cup. It gave us the belief that we can beat any side if we play our best. Next time, the belief will be there and the result will be a bit more better than this.
You take from this competition. You have the skills and the belief and it's about managing yourselves in those situations. Facing tough bowlers and in pressure situations, it was a big learning for us. We have to be a bit more aggressive in the middle order. You can't put everything on the top order. If we can improve in that department, we can be a good team. We have a lot of hard work to do now but happy with this journey so far."
Aiden Markram (South Africa Captain): "It feels good. Its not really the captain that takes you to this stage of the competition. Its a massive squad effort. People behind the scenes, its a massive collective effort. We are really to have one more crack and lift the trophy.
Fortunate to have lost the toss, we were also looking to bat. Bowlers bowled enough in the right areas and made life tough for the batters. Kept things really simple, assessed the conditions and adapted quickly.
Quite tough batting conditions. We knew it was a matter of a partnership. Had a bit of luck once again and managed a partnership. Chuffed up got over the line, there are people who wake up early back at home getting grey hair.
Its a tricky one. Its a different level of cricket. We can take confidence and belief but the final gets as tough as it can. We have never been there before, really excited for the opportunity.
It really just takes the full squad to put together a really good game of cricket and that's what the side has done throughout the campaign."
Fortunate to have lost the toss, we were also looking to bat. Bowlers bowled enough in the right areas and made life tough for the batters. Kept things really simple, assessed the conditions and adapted quickly.
Quite tough batting conditions. We knew it was a matter of a partnership. Had a bit of luck once again and managed a partnership. Chuffed up got over the line, there are people who wake up early back at home getting grey hair.
Its a tricky one. Its a different level of cricket. We can take confidence and belief but the final gets as tough as it can. We have never been there before, really excited for the opportunity.
It really just takes the full squad to put together a really good game of cricket and that's what the side has done throughout the campaign."
Ninaad: So lads, finally we have our first finalist of the tournament in South Africa. Not the greatest of starts for them in the group stage with a top score of 115 against Nepal but some big wins in Super 8s and now the biggest of the lot in the semifinals have seen them through. Your views on their campaign and expectations in the finals?
Akshaya: That is the team effort Aiden Markram discussed in the post-match interview! It's been an incredible tournament for the Proteas, as they continue to peak with each passing game! It's better to peak now than never peak at all. We have seen India in the ODI World Cup 2023 and how they were silenced in the grand final. Another win and the Markram-led side becomes the first-ever team to win the T20 WC with an unbeaten run. Interestingly, Markram has never lost a match as a captain in ICC events!
Akshay: South Africa have the belief in them that they can lift the trophy. I feel their bowlers are doing an excellent job and will play a crucial role in the final. After all, it's the batters who win you the games and the bowlers who win you tournaments ππ
Ninaad: Proteas batters or the bowlers? Who do you think have played a massive role in their success this year? I reckon the bowlers have bowled out of their skin and have marvelously backed the side in low scoring games when odds were against them. Batting peaked from the Super 8s.
Akshaya: Bowlers, without a doubt! The batting has come into the party in the latter stages of the tournament and just at the right time.
On that note, its time to wrap up our coverage of the first semifinal in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. Congratulations to South Africa as they move through to the finals for the first time. Ninaad Dixit here signing off on behalf of my co-commentators Akshay Bhide, Akshaya Krishna Polya and scorers Bishal Mandal & Ghanendra Singh Thakur. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world and for the second semifinal that begins in less than 12 hours from now.