South Africa vs Afghanistan, T20 World Cup: Preview, key matchups and likely XIs for first semi-final

Little did anyone predict that Afghanistan would be one of the semi-finalists at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Beating the likes of New Zealand and Australia by merit is no mean feat, but for the Afghans, a bigger and trickier challenge await them when they take on South Africa in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Trinidad on Thursday (Wednesday night in the Caribbean).

T20 World Cup 2024:  News    |  Schedule   |  Results  |  Points Table

South Africa themselves are coming on the back of a perfect 100 per cent record across both the group stages as well as the Super 8s, so it’s no secret that Rashid Khan and Co cannot take the Proteas lightly. After all, they are just two matches away from what could be one of the greatest underdog stories in international cricket, but at the moment, for Afghanistan, it’s about taking it one match at a time.

Afghanistan’s only two losses this tournament have come against West Indies and India. On both occasions, their batters disappointed big time, but Afghanistan have shown that they can bounce back. That ability to come back and the self-belief in the side, have been a couple of major strengths for Afghanistan going into the semi-final.

South Africa, on the other hand, have an opportunity to do away with the chokers’ tag once and for all. History suggests that the semi-finals are where South Africa have struggled in the recent past, with the latest example being their ODI World Cup semi-final loss to Australia last year. In the initial few matches, the Proteas top-order struggled for runs on tricky pitches in the USA, but Quinton de Kock has somewhat eased that pain with a couple of fine batting displays against the USA and England in Super 8s.

Also read | How Afghanistan achieved their first-ever semi-final spot

South Africa’s bowling attack has been impressive throughout with Anrich Nortje (11 wickets) and Kagiso Rabada (10) sharing 21 wickets between them. Spinners too have played an equally important role with Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi combining for 17 wickets.

Head-to-head

Both South Africa and Afghanistan have only met twice in T20Is, with both coming in past editions of T20 World Cups. The Proteas have won both their encounters and Afghanistan would be looking to break that short winless run.

Let’s now take a look at some key player battles that could determine the South Africa-Afghanistan contest

Quinton de Kock vs Fazalhaq Farooqi

Quinton de Kock has just rediscovered his form with a couple of fifties against the USA and England respectively, and despite managing just 12 runs against West Indies, the wicketkeeper-batter remains a force to be reckoned with. He’s been at the heart of South Africa’s top order for a while now, so it’s impossible to write him off.

The 31-year-old will be up against Afghanistan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi in the powerplay overs. Farooqi is the leading wicket-taker of the T20 World Cup with 16 scalps and has been deadly in the powerplay.

Nine of his 16 wickets have come in the powerplay. The task is thus cut out for QDK, to neutralise Farooqi early on in the powerplay. Now that should be an interesting match-up to watch.

David Miller vs Rashid Khan

David Miller and Rashid Khan would know each other quite well from their Gujarat Titans days in the IPL. But this time, the two will go head-to-head for their national sides in the T20 World Cup. Barring a couple of knocks, Miller has not had an explosive T20 World Cup just yet, but he remains a vital part of that middle-order lineup for the Proteas.

Rashid Khan, on the other hand, has been impressive for Afghanistan in the middle overs. All 14 of his wickets this tournament have come in the middle overs and having said that, he’s been by far Afghanistan’s best spinner. But it’s going to be a challenge for Rashid to contain Miller once the latter gets going and possibly initiates an all-out attack.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Kagiso Rabada

Rahmanullah Gurbaz has a modest record in T20Is when it comes to facing right-arm pacers. The Afghanistan opener has scored 859 runs from 56 innings against right-arm pacers averaging just above 25 and getting dismissed 34 times. However, recent form favours the 22-year-old more as he’s shown some improved displays against right-arm pacers this tournament.

Take his onslaught against Australia for example. Gurbaz kept punishing the Aussie trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis, thereby helping himself gather crucial momentum. He’s prepared for all situations and that’s what Kagiso Rabada, who has taken four wickets in the powerplay, will have to be wary about.

Likely XIs

South Africa may not have to tweak their playing XI from their win over West Indies that helped them secure a semi-final berth. If the Proteas do opt for a change, it could be about continuing with a second spinner in Tabraiz Shamsi or bringing back Ottneil Baartman as an extra-pace option.

At the moment, given the conditions in Trinidad which favour the spinners, it seems as if South Africa would stick with Shamsi.

South Africa likely XI: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje

As far as Afghanistan are concerned, there would not be any need to tinker with their playing XI from their win over Bangladesh, despite a top and middle-order failure against the Tigers.

If needed, the Afghans have the option to bring in Hazratullah Zazai as an extra batter, but they would not want to take a risk in the last minute with Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran batting quite well.

Afghanistan likely XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan (Captain), Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen ul Haq.

Squads:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik (Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi).

South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs. (Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi).