South Africa demolish Afghanistan to reach their first men’s World Cup final

South Africa are through to their first men’s World Cup final after blowing away Afghanistan by nine wickets on a desperately one-sided night in Trinidad.

After bowling out the Afghans on a poor surface for 56 in 11.3 overs – the lowest total in the history of T20 knockout matches – South Africa raced to 60 for one off 8.5, to end a 32-year wait for a final. They will play either England or India at Bridgetown’s Kensington Oval on Saturday.

Hopes had been high that Afghanistan, bouyed by stirring Super Eight wins over Australia and Bangladesh, would make it a night to remember against a South African side renowned for faltering on the big occasion.

But, after Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan had chosen to bowl on a pitch offering plenty of help to the seamers, the meltdown began as early as the sixth ball, when Rahmanullah Gurbaz – the tournament’s leading run-scorer – poked left-arm quick Marcos Jansen low to Reeza Hendricks at slip for a duck.

Gulbadin Naib, who had caused headlines by collapsing in a heap at slip as Afghanistan tried to waste time during the win over Bangladesh in St Vincent on Monday, was bowled by Jansen for nine in the third over, before opener Ibrahim Zadran was knocked over by Kagiso Rabada for two.

 Reeza Hendricks, left, embraces teammate Aiden Markram after defeating Afghanistan

When Rabada bowled Mohammad Nabi through the gate for a duck three balls later, Afghanistan were 20 for four, and starting to look shellshocked.

Jansen picked up a third when Nangeyalia Kharote was caught behind for two, and it was 28 for six when Azmatullah Omarzai – the only Afghan to reach double figures – skewed fast bowler Anrich Nortje to deep cover.

Karim Janat and Rashid, who had hurled his bat in frustration at Janat when he failed to come back for a second run towards the end of Afghanistan’s innings against Bangladesh, earning a reprimand from the ICC, put on 22 for the seventh wicket – comfortably his side’s highest stand.

But Janat became the first of three lbw victims for left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, and in between Rashid was bowled by Nortje, backing away.

It was a dismal effort from a team who lit up the tournament with wins over New Zealand and Australia, but who – on this evidence – seem to have expended all their energy and emotion during the tense victory over Bangladesh. Their top-scorer, with 13, was extras, while wides alone outscored seven Afghans.

On a disappointing night at the Brian Lara Academy Stadium in Tarouba, a cracked surface came in for criticism from former players in the commentary box.

Hopes had been high that Afghanistan, bouyed by wins over Australia and Bangladesh 

‘That’s not a T20 pitch,’ said the former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith. ‘Well, it is – but it shouldn’t be.’ Meanwhile, ex-Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed surprise at the decision to use a fresh wicket for a World Cup semi-final.

The bounce was variable, the movement lavish. Against a seam attack as high-class as South Africa’s, and with Shamsi too smart for the tail, Afghanistan’s batsmen were simply unable to cope.

Defending such a low total – Afghanistan’s worst, undercutting 72 against Bangladesh a decade ago – was never a realistic prospect, although Fazalhaq Farooqi picked up his 17th wicket of the World Cup, a record, when he bowled Quinton de Kock for five with the 11th ball of the chase.

Had Afghanistan reviewed a muted caught-behind appeal in the next over, from Naveen-ul-Haq, South African captain Aiden Markram would have been out for a duck, and his side six for two.

But that was as good as it got for Afghanistan on a night when South Africa got one large monkey off their backs. If they can shake off another in Barbados on Saturday, they will be world champions.