South Africa breezed past Afghanistan by nine wickets in the first semi-final on Thursday at the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad, during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday.

This is the first time for South Africa to qualify for the final of a World Cup (T20 and ODI).

South Africa easily surmounted the 57-run target in 8.5 overs for the loss of one wicket.

Earlier, Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat against South Africa. Batting first, Afghanistan could score only 56 runs in 11.5 overs after a superb bowling display by the Proteas.

Marco Jansen and Tabrazi Shamsi claimed three wickets each, meanwhile Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje claimed two scalps apiece.

In a dismal batting display, only Azmatullah Omarzai got into double figures with 10 runs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad were all dismissed for a duck.

56 all-out is the lowest total by a team in a T20 World Cup semi-final match. This is also Afghanistan's lowest total in T20Is. This is also the lowest total-ever in a knockout match in men's T20Is. Previous lowest was Botswana's 62 all-out vs Uganda in 2023 ACA Cup semis.

Lowest totals by a full-member team in T20 World Cups

55 - ENG vs WI, Dubai, 2021

56 - AFG vs SA, Tarouba, 2024*

60 - NZ vs SL, Chattogram, 2014

70 - BAN vs NZ, Kolkata, 2016

Both teams have made no changes to their lineup for this match. 

Teams:

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan(c), Nangeyalia Kharote, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi