Proteas end World Cup semi final heart-ache to reach maiden final

By Ayanda Nyuswa

The Proteas overcame the heart-ache of seven semi final losses at ICC World Cups, as they thrashed Afghanistan by 9 Wickets (67 balls to spare) to reach their maiden T20 World Cup final. After losing the toss and being forced to chase, South Africa put on a bowling masterclass under the lights at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy to dismiss the first time semi finalists Afghanistan for 56, the lowest ever total recorded at a T20 World Cup semi final. Keshav Maharaj was the only bowler that failed to join the wicket-taking party as Kagiso Rabada (2), Anrich Nortje (2), Tabraiz Shamsi (3)and Marco Jansen (3) obliterated the Afghan batting line up inside 12 overs. Jansen picked up the player of the match award as he did the early work with the wickets of opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck, took the wicket of Gulbadin Naib with a peach of a delivery and rounded off his brilliant spell by bowling out Nangeyalia Kharote for just two runs.

Needing just 57 runs to reach a historic first World Cup final, Reeza Hendricks (29) and captain Aiden Markram (23) put together a 55-run second wicket partnership, leading the Proteas to a total of 60/1, completing the job with 67 balls to spare.

South Africa will meet the winner of the second semi final, a block buster clash between England and India, in Barbados on Sunday.

Picture: Getty Images