New Delhi: South Africa will be aiming to reach their first-ever T20 World Cup final when they lock horns with Afghanistan in the first semi-final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad on Thursday, June 07. South Africa are unbeaten in the tournament so far having qualified for the semi-finals as the top-ranked team from Group 2.
However, calling Afghanistan the favourites heading into the all-important game won’t be outlandish. Afghanistan have exceeded expectations at the tournament so far. One of the dark horses at the start of the competition, Afghanistan have showcased their might on the highest level and now stand just a couple of steps away from clinching glory.
Afghanistan have beaten the likes of New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh in a matter of just three weeks in the ongoing T20 World Cup and are a side brimming with pride and confidence. They have three of their bowlers – Fazalhaq Farooqi (16), Rashid Khan (14) and Naveen-ul-Haq (13) in the top five wicket-takers in the competition so far while two of their batters – Rahamanullah Gurbaz (281) and Ibrahim Zadran (229) feature in the list of the top five run-getters in the tournament.
Afghanistan might be in uncharted territory having reached their first-ever semi-final in a major ICC event, but South Africa don’t have a rich history either when it comes to the knockout stages. They have won just one knockout match in nine appearances. Nonetheless, South Africa will aim to give their best in their bid to stop the Afghan juggernaut and reach their first T20 World Cup final.
Why Ottneil Baartman can be the key for South Africa?
The semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan will be played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, where the track has proven to be a pacers’ haven traditionally. The fast bowlers have earned the most assistance from the surface and have enjoyed bowling at the venue. The top five wicket-takers at the venue in T20Is are all pacers.
41 of the 51 wickets that have fallen at the venue in the T20 World Cup 2024 have all been scalped by pacers, making it clear that the team with the better pace attack will definitely enjoy an edge in the knockout clash. South Africa would be happier to learn the stats as they are blessed to have one of the best pace attacks in the tournament.
The duo of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje has impressed for the Proteas with 21 wickets between them. However, Marco Jansen, who has been backed as the only pace all-rounder in the team has failed to fire with the ball. He has only three wickets in the tournament so far, leaving South Africa thin on options if their Plan A fails.
South Africa have used Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi as the two specialist spinners in their last few games while playing the trio of Jansen, Rabada and Nortje in their pace unit. However, they might need to make a tactical change in their bowling attack in the semi-final against Afghanistan. South Africa should drop one of Shamsi or Maharaj to make way for Ottneil Baartman in the XI.
The pacer has featured in five matches in the tournament so far and has six wickets to his name. Having an extra pace option in Baartman amid Jansen’s struggles in the tournament will help the Proteas ease the pressure on the duo of Rabada and Nortje. It will also help them make the most of the conditions at the Brian Lara Stadium, where pacers have excelled.
Baartman’s ability to contain runs and provide breakthroughs at crucial junctures make him a valuable asset for South Africa heading into the crucial semi-final. While Afghanistan’s bowling has been their key, keeping their batters quiet will put South Africa in the driver’s seat.
South Africa will be looking to shun the chokers tag and reach their maiden T20 World Cup final when they take on Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
