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 evening 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 a one-off 8.5, ending 32 years of waiting for a final. They play England or India at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on Saturday.

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

But after Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan opted to bowl on a pitch that offered plenty of help to the seamers, the meltdown started on the sixth ball, when Rahmanullah Gurbaz – the tournament’s leading run-scorer – beat Marcos Jansen, the fast player of the tournament, poked his left arm. low for Reeza Hendricks at slip for a duck.

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

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

When Rabada put Mohammad Nabi through the gate for a duck three balls later, Afghanistan were 20 for four and starting to look shell-shocked.

Jansen grabbed 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 – sent fast bowler Anrich Nortje to deep cover.

Karim Janat and Rashid, who had hurled his bat at Janat in frustration when he failed to come back for a second run towards the end of the Afghan innings against Bangladesh, and was reprimanded by the ICC, put on 22 for the seventh wicket – comfortably his highest score in the side.

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

It was a dismal effort from a team who brightened the tournament with victories over New Zealand and Australia, but who – on this evidence – appear to have expended all their energy and emotion in the thrilling victory over Bangladesh. Their top scorer, with 13, was extras, while wides surpassed seven Afghans alone.

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

Hopes were high that Afghanistan, buoyed by victories over Australia and Bangladesh

“That’s not a T20 delivery,” said 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 new wicket for a World Cup semi-final.

The bounce was variable, the movement exuberant. Against an attack of as high a standard as South Africa’s, and with Shamsi too smart for the tail, the Afghan batsmen were simply unable to cope.

Defending such a low total – Afghanistan’s worst, which was under 72 against Bangladesh a decade ago – was never a realistic prospect, even though Fazalhaq Farooqi took his record 17th wicket of the World Cup when he defeated Quinton Kock bowled for five with the 11th. ball of pursuit.

Had Afghanistan watched a muffled call from Naveen-ul-Haq in the next round, 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 one night when South Africa got a big monkey off its back. If they can shake off one more on Saturday in Barbados, they will be world champions.