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South Africa are two games away from shedding the ‘chokers’ tag for good as they face history-makers and ultimate underdogs Afghanistan in the semi-finals.
DATE & TIME: Wednesday 26th June, 2024: USA (WST) – 5:30pm / USA (CST) – 7:30pm / USA (EST) – 8:30pm / Saint Lucia – 8:30pm / Thursday 27th June, 2024: UK – 1:30am / India – 6:00am / South Africa – 2:30am / Pakistan – 5:30am / Bangladesh – 5:30am / Australia – 10:30am
VENUE: Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Tarouba, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies
WEATHER: Cloudy but dry evening conditions, with warm temperatures at around the mid 20s.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan – PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India– Star Sports / Bangladesh – Disney Star
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco & Tamasha / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Disney+Hotstar / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
SOUTH AFRICA FORM: PROTEAS MADE IT SEVEN IN A ROW WITH WINDIES WIN
South Africa came through a winner-take-all clash with West Indies to book their place in the semi-finals, winning by three wickets via the DLS method, knocking out the joint-host nation and securing their seventh consecutive T20i victory.
LAST FIVE: WWWWW
AFGHANISTAN FORM: PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME FOLLOWING BACK-TO-BACK TRIUMPHS
Afghanistan’s shock win over Australia, followed by the latter’s defeat against India left qualification in the hands of Rashid Khan’s side. They took full advantage, beating Bangladesh in a low-scoring thriller to become ICC T20 World Cup semi-finalists for the first time in their history.
LAST FIVE: WWLLW
SOUTH AFRICA BETTING ANALYSIS
With 151 runs across his last three innings for the Proteas in this competition, the fortunes of opener Quinton de Kock could be pivotal in deciding the outcome of the contest here. While he faces a challenge against a formidable Afghanistan bowling attack, the form of De Kock warrants investment via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market, specifically to score 30+ runs. He is also perhaps worth a small bet to score over 2.5 total match fours.
On the bowling front, Tabraiz Shamsi picked up three wickets vs the Windies but it remains to be seen if the extra spinner will be selected in the semi-finals. A more nailed on pick would be right-arm pacer Kagiso Rabada, who shone for South Africa across the ‘Super 8s’. Back Rabada to really trouble the opposition batters and ultimately accrue over 1.5 match wickets.
AFGHANISTAN BETTING ANALYSIS
When his country needs him the most, Rashid Khan is stepping up in some style. The Afghanistan captain continues to prove his status as one of the best T20 bowlers around with 4/23 across his side’s crucial win over Bangladesh. Rashid has now racked up eight wickets in Afghanistan’s last three games and backing him with stakes to not only finish as their top bowler vs South Africa, but also to accumulate 2+ wickets here has to be favoured.
A crucial 43 from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was also critical in a low-scoring affair, cementing his status as the tournament’s current top run-scorer. Gurbaz boasts 281 runs in seven innings at an average of 46.83, including three half-centuries. If Afghanistan are to be successful in this semi-final, he will likely need to lay down a significant foundation at the top of the order, so explore backing Gurbaz to score over 22.5 match runs.
SOUTH AFRICA VS AFGHANISTAN EXPERT PREDICTION
You simply cannot write off Afghanistan, who have nothing to lose at this stage having already done so incredibly well to make it this far in the competition. Their bowling attack gives them a fighting chance against any opposition and should the pitch not be a batter’s paradise, then that may well even the playing field here.
However, if any team have the ability to blunt this Afghanistan bowling unit, it’s South Africa when you consider the sheer depth and firepower of the Proteas’ batting line-up. This feels like their time to finally achieve their destiny of finally winning a major ICC tournament semi-final after so many previous heartbreaks. Back South Africa to end the Afghanistan fairy-tale and take their place in the final.
SOUTH AFRICA VS AFGHANISTAN TOP TIP: SOUTH AFRICA TO WIN