(Reuters) – A clinical South Africa skittled Afghanistan for 56 on their way to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 World Cup semi-final in Trinidad yesterday, sending the Proteas into their first ever final.
It was a first victory in eight short-format World Cup semi-finals going back to 1992 for South Africa, who will now take on the winner of today’s second semi-final between India and holders England for the title in Barbados on Saturday.
The perennial underachievers looked anything but as they ripped through the Afghan batting in less than 12 overs at Brian Lara Stadium to restrict their shell-shocked opponents to their lowest ever score in T20 internationals.
South Africa’s batting has stuttered at times during the tournament and Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled Quinton de Kock early, but Reeza Hendricks and skipper Aiden Markram got the Proteas to their target without further losses inside nine overs.
