It’s a modern clash that created the first major step at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Afghanistan played South Africa in the semis. With the good run of the rising Asian side, the world was thinking that South Africa would make it done.
South Africa did win the clash in West Indies. And they did beat Afghanistan by a huge margin. Losing the game did hurt fans of Afghanistan. But it did make them feel that in just nine years since competing at the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, they managed to reach the semis against the odds. However, this loss has made them a bit sad. But also, it made the clash of Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline something mega to watch.
History Of Semis of the 2024 T20 World Cup
In the 2024 T20 World Cup, one of the two semis was South Africa vs Afghanistan. Afghanistan did bat first and just managed to score 56 runs in 11.5 overs. It was a shocker for the team as they had performed well before. And this put South Africa in a comfortable position. They chased the total in 8.5 overs at the cost of just 1 wicket and won the game by 9 wickets. And the game had 67 balls in spare.
This was a huge win that even made another finalist India panic. However, South Africa lost the game from a comfortable position to India in the final. But for Afghanistan, the game had mixed emotions. On the one hand, the fans were happy to reach that deep in the competition. On the other hand, losing the final without giving the best run with the bat was a huge downside. However, the game went to history as Afghanistan is seeing war and all and still, they have been that deep in a major competition.
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline: The first look
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Timeline and It was the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand where both sides saw each other playing for the first time at the highest levels. They did not face each other. But the world of cricket did know that it is not easy to take Afghanistan lightly. However, in ODI, two of the major clashes came in the 2019 and 2023 50-over World Cup finals. But Afghanistan lost these games and it is because South Africa is seasoned in cricket.
But now Afghanistan is looking sharp in T20I and ODI as playing in Asia Cups and other events has made them ready.
| Match | Afghanistan vs South Africa |
| Tournament | ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024 |
| Timeline | June 26, 2024, At Night (20-over match) |
| Toss | Afghanistan, Decided to bat first |
| Stadium | Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad |
| Won by | South africa won by 9 wickets |
| Player of the Match | South African Player – Marco Jansen |
Afghanistan National Cricket Team: How did they shine?
Afghanistan National Cricket Team did come to the major levels in 2015. But they have long been playing the game of cricket in the streets. It is because Afghanistan is close to the culture of entertainment of India and Pakistan. And these two nations are so good in cricket. So watching the greats of India and Pakistan made them learn cricket and be ready for the international level.
Once they managed to qualify for the 2015 CWC, BCCI and India helped them by giving them funds and a ground to make their skills better in cricket. It made Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun, kind of their second home. And now Afghanistan has some of the best players in the world. So it’s not like the rise is sudden. They have been playing the game long back in the nation. And hence, it has made them go and place that well.
Afghanistan and South Africa: Key Players To Look For
Afghanistan puts all their cards with Rashid Khan first. Because he is a star for Afghanistan, who is a master of leg spinner and one who can bat too. In the Indian Premier League too, he is one of the best cricketers that teams like to add or wish to add.
Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are other players Afghanistan fans have huge expectations. This shows that talents are coming to Afghanistan and it is giving them good shape to look forward to.
When it comes to South Africa, Quinton de Kock is an ever-green player. He not just is a good wicketkeeper but a very sound opener too. His impact in early overs tells how well South Africa is going to do. Aiden Markram, being the captain of the side, has the burden to bat well on his shoulders. Heinrich Klassen and David Miller are other star players that South Africa puts their hopes to shine deep in the batting order.
Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj are the leaders in the bowling lineup. And they have a mix of pace and spin. Hence, the overall quality of South Africa looks very good.
Afghanistan and South Africa: Head-to-Head
Afghanistan is good in cricket. But South Africa is long been carrying the image of being one of the top sides in the game’s history. In batting, bowling and fielding, they have shown great results.
And in major events and matches between them, Afghanistan has shown heart. But till then they have come short in the games. But in ODIs and T2I0s, the fans of cricket feel that Afghanistan is ready to beat teams on any good day. But in Test cricket, they are behind. And this is the task when Afghanistan face South Africa, the aim should be to do well in the Test as in limited overs cricket, a person can really see them beating top sides here and there.
The future of both sides
For Afghanistan, the aim is to be a good Test side. As in cricket, it is being seen as the best thing if a team can win Test games at home and away from home. At the same time, it would be to bring good numbers in Test and ODI matches and make more players who can play in top T20 leagues and do well otherwise.
When it comes to South Africa, the current team is looking good. They were too close to win the 2024 T20 World Cup. Now the aim for them is to make sure that the first ICC title comes to their home. As in cricket, it is still a shocking update for fans that South Africa has not won any of the ICC events. Because in other parts of cricket, they see normal ups and downs.
FAQs
Q: Is Rashid Khan the best cricketer of Afghanistan?
Rashid Khan is the best cricketer of Afghanistan as per many cricket lovers and experts.
Q: Where did Afghanistan reach At 2024 T20 World Cup?
Afghanistan reached the semis of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Q: Does Afghanistan play cricket at home?
Due to the wars and the unstable nature of Afghanistan, other nations do not like to go there. Plus they do not have good stadiums as of now.
Q: Why South Africa is known for slipping in major moments?
South Africa is one of the top sides of cricket. But they are known to slip in major games of ICC events.
Also Read About –
Bangladesh National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Timeline: Asian Battle
India National Cricket Team Vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
