Continuing the wining streak in the T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa have landed into the Semis. South Africa won by 3 wickets. The second innings was reduced to 17 overs via DLS method. And chasing target was displayed as 123 runs on the board.
Earlier West Indies were restricted to 135-8. Proteas made a great start by taking Shai Hope for the golden duck. Then on the first ball of the second over, Nicholas Pooran was dismissed by Aiden Markram. It was K Mayers and Chase who built a partnership, taking team to 97-6, before it was broke in 12th over. After that losing wickets , they finished at 135-8 in 20 overs.
Rain halted the second innings, and the game was shortened by 3 overs. The revised target being 123 runs.
In a thrilling encounter, Proteas had lost Reeza Hendricks, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs at 110-7 in 15.3 overs. But Marco Jansen added his significant 21 to the target and with Rabada hitting the boundary, won the pivotal match. This victory secured their spot in the Semi Finals.
West Indies after five victories and two loses are out of the tournament. Although they were unbeatable during their group stage matches, they lost both the matches in Super 8. First match they lost against England by 8 wickets. And another defeat was by South Africa, sending them out of the tournament.
On the other side, in the Super 8 , South Africa first defeated USA by 18 runs. Second they encountered England and won by 7 runs. With the third victory against West Indies, South Africa climbed atop of the Group 2 points table of Super 8.
South Africa has once more landed into the semis but will it be able to erase its bitter past? Be it 1992 ODI World Cup or 2013 Champions trophy or the recent 2023 ODI World Cup final they haven’t pass through the juncture of Semi-finals. Thus, unwantedly tagged as ‘chokers’.
Possible Opponent In Semis For South Africa
England after defeating USA by 10 wickets has entered the Semi final from Group 2 along with South Africa.
From Group 2, India, Australia and Afghanistan await their chance to secure their berth in the Semi final.
Therefore, South Africa will be possibly locking horns in the Semis against England, India, Australia or Afghanistan. The first Semi final match is scheduled on June 27 at Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad.
Tabinda Mir is a writer from Kashmir. She is an English Honours graduate and her interests primarily dwell in poetry and sports writing. She likes to cover Cricket as an avid fan. Apart from sports, her other publications include articles, poems and a letter to summer in the book titled, “Under The Summer Skies”.
Also, her leisure time activities include reading novels, poetry, non literary works, philosophies and writing poetry, short stories, articles on diverse themes.
