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Following South Africa’s emphatic victory over Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan in the first semi-final at the Brian Lara Stadium, captain Aiden Markram expressed strong belief in his team as they secured their maiden ICC T20 World Cup final berth.
The match, played in seam-friendly conditions in Trinidad, was initially expected to be closely contested but turned into a one-sided affair. Afghanistan’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired spectacularly as they were bowled out for their lowest-ever score in a T20 World Cup semi-final, managing just 56 runs.
South Africa’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Marco Jansen’s impressive 3/16 and supported by Tabraiz Shamsi’s equally effective bowling, dismantled the Afghan batting lineup. Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada also contributed with two wickets each.
In response, South Africa chased down the target comfortably within 8.5 overs. Reeza Hendricks played a steady innings scoring 25 off 29 balls, while skipper Aiden Markram contributed 23 off 21, sealing the victory with the winning runs.
Markram’s confidence in his team was palpable as they now prepare to face either India or defending champions England in what promises to be a thrilling T20 World Cup final.
Check out Aiden Markram statement after the win
Aiden Markram has made history as the first South African captain to guide the national team to an ICC event final. Despite previous losses in two T20 World Cup semi-finals, this time was different. After securing the victory, Markram reflected on the team’s mindset heading into their historic first final.
Markram attributed South Africa’s journey to the final to the collective effort of the entire team and acknowledged their clinical performance in the semi-final.
“It feels good. It is not only the captain that gets you here, it is a massive squad effort. There are plenty of guys behind the scenes as well. Fortunate to have lost the toss, we would have batted too. We were brilliant with the ball, got it in the right areas and kept it really simple.” – Markram told reporters.
Markram confidently asserts that his team embraces the upcoming final without fear of pressure. Historically, South Africa struggled with knockout match pressure despite strong performances in ICC tournaments. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, however, the Proteas have shown resilience in handling the semi-final pressure, marking a significant shift. As they prepare for their first World Cup final appearance, Markram emphasized the importance of maintaining their unbeaten streak to clinch the title on Sunday. He expressed that the team is not burdened by pressure but instead views the occasion as an opportunity to excel.
“It is one more step for us, it is an opportunity we have never had, nothing to be scared of. This win means a lot, we have some world-class players in the side but like I said, it takes a whole squad to be able to deliver such a performance.” – Aiden Markram concluded.
