SA vs AFG Match Prediction
In the semifinals, South Africa will have to contend with the extra strain of the “chokers” reputation against an energised Afghanistan squad.
Afghanistan’s competitive showing in this year’s T20 World Cup has made them a major discussion point. Afghanistan made it to their first-ever World Cup semifinals via sheer perseverance. However, South Africa would be under pressure to shake off its reputation as “chokers,” which has grown to be a burden and a part of cricket legend. Trinidad’s first semifinal looks to be an exciting match.
On Thursday in Trinidad, Afghanistan cricket team and South Africa will play in the first semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Afghanistan has played brilliant cricket throughout the competition and has the chance to surprise South Africa cricket team in their matchup in the round of four. Both sides excel at bowling, but their top-order batting hasn’t been able to find its groove.
South Africa likely XI
Batters – Reeza Hendricks, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller
All-Rounders – Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen
Wicketkeeper – Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen
Bowlers – Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Statistical Performance (Afghanistan)
1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the leading run-scorer in this T20 World Cup with 281 runs in seven innings. The wicketkeeper-batter’s 43 runs off 55 balls in the last match against Bangladesh proved crucial in his team’s win and eventual qualification to their first-ever semifinals in a World Cup.
2. Naveen-ul-Haq
Naveen-ul-Haq has been really impressive in the 2024 T20 World Cup and has so far picked 13 wickets in seven innings. In Afghanistan’s match against Bangladesh, he was the Player of the Match for his impressive spell of 4 for 26.
Players Who Can Make a Difference (Afghanistan)
1. Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan has led his team from the front and most of the credit for Afghanistan’s campaign at this T20 World Cup goes to the wrist spinner. In the must-win game against Bangladesh on Tuesday, he picked four wickets.
2.Fazalhaq Farooqi
Fazalhaq Farooqi is the leading wicket-taker in the 2024 T20 World Cup with 16 wickets. He will be crucial in the Powerplay overs for Afghanistan.
Statistical Performance (South Africa)
1. David Miller
On the tricky wickets in the West Indies, David Miller is a key batter in the middle-order for South Africa and when needed the left-hander has the ability to bat according to the situation.
2. Kagiso Rabada
The veteran pacer has been impressive in this T20 World Cup and has picked 10 wickets in seven innings. In the semifinal clash against Afghanistan on Thursday, South Africa would expect Rabada to fire and get them early breakthroughs.
Players Who Can Make a Difference (South Africa)
1. Tabraiz Shamsi
In South Africa’s must-win match against the West Indies, Tabraiz Shamsi was amongst wickets and returned figures of 3 for 27. On the Trinidad wicket, which aids the spinners he would be crucial for the Proteas.
2.Anrich Nortje
Along with Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje will lead the Proteas pace attack in the first semifinal against Afghanistan on Thursday. In his last nine matches, Nortje has picked up 11 wickets.
Team Head to Head
Afghanistan and South Africa have clashed twice in T20Is and both the matches were in the T20 World Cups. South Africa have emerged victorious in both the matches.
AFGHANISTAN v SOUTH AFRICA – HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
MATCHES AFG WON SA WON NO RESULT
T20 WORLD CUPS 2 0 2 0
LAST 5 T20Is 5 3 5 0
ALL T20Is 2 0 2 0
Player Match-ups
RASHID KHAN AGAINST RIGHT-HANDERS (2024 T20 WC)
INNINGS – 7
BALLS FACED – 136
RUNS SCORED – 118
WICKETS – 8
Rashid Khan against the right-handed batters has been successful in the 2024 T20 World Cup, by picking eight wickets in seven innings.
RAHMANULLAH GURBAZ AGAINST PACE (2024 T20 WC)
INNINGS – 6
BALLS FACED – 130
RUNS SCORED – 163
WICKETS – 4
Rahmanullah Gurbaz while opening the innings for Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup has been dismissed by pace bowlers four times in six innings. The Proteas would like to exploit this weakness of his in the semifinal in Trinidad.
Venue and Pitch
The Brian Lara Stadium at Tarouba has hosted four matches in the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, where on all occasions, the teams winning the toss have fielded first. On three occasions, teams bowling first have won. The average first innings score at this venue in the 2024 T20 World Cup is 90, and 89 for the second innings. The toss win, match win percentage at this venue in the 2024 T20 World Cup is 75%. The pitch has been a tricky one in this tournament with help for the bowlers on offer. The batters need to get their eye in before they look to play shots.
Prediction of Match
In the semifinals, South Africa will have to contend with the extra strain of the “chokers” reputation against an energised Afghanistan team. Afghanistan’s batting, with the exception of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who will face Rabada and Nortje, has appeared shaky. In the event that the pitch offers turn, the Afghani spinners will be very important. With an 80% likelihood of winning, South Africa is the favourite.
