Afghanistan lost their first-ever semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 to South Africa on Thursday, ending their semi-final jinx in the 2024 edition of the ICC event. The Proteas hammered Rashid and Co. in the first semi-final by nine wickets to enter the final. South Africa will either meet India or England in its first-ever T20 World Cup final on Saturday.
Afghan spinner Rashid took to Twitter, formerly known as X, to pen a heartwarming note expressing gratitude after the match. “We will always remember this #T20WorldCup! The fight put ahead by each and every one of this team is commendable and I’m really proud of all of us! We will continue to build from here and comeback with more grit in the next one Thank you to each and everyone who believed in us and helped us to keep the fight on,” Rashid wrote.
The Asian giantkillers were all out for 56 in the first semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. Only Azmatullah Omarzai recorded a double score (10) as they posted the lowest total in T20 World Cup knockouts. Pacers Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje shared seven wickets to set up a comfortable win for the Proteas. Reeza Hendricks (29*) and skipper Aiden Markram (23*) completed the 57-run chase in 8.5 overs.
After the match, Afghanistan skipper Rashid spoke about his team’s performance: “We might have done better but the conditions didn’t allow us to do what we wanted. That’s how T20 cricket is, you need to be ready for all conditions. I think we were unlucky with Mujeeb’s injury, but our seamers and even Nabi bowled brilliantly with the new ball. That made our job easier as spinners. We have enjoyed this tournament
