South Africa defeats Afghanistan by 9 wickets; reach maiden T20 WC final

Tarouba: South Africa advanced to the World Cup final in T20 Cricket on Wednesday, for the first time, defeating Afghanistan by nine wickets. At Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, the Proteas easily reached their victory target after holding Afghanistan to 56 runs. They ultimately finished on 60-1. 

After they chose to bat, South Africa's left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3 for 6) and pacer Marco Jansen (3-16) led the charge in destroying an Afghanistan batting lineup for just 56 off 11.5 overs. With two wickets apiece, fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje kept up the constant pressure, AFP reported.

Quinton de Kock was gone early in South Africa's reply to Fazalhaq Farooqi's tournament-leading 17th wicket on a pitch that favoured all bowlers but left Afghanistan with too little to defend. However, South Africa won at 60 for 1 of 8.5 overs thanks to Reeza Hendricks (29 not out) and captain Aiden Markram (23 not out). 

The winners of Thursday's second semi-final between defending champion England and undefeated India in Guyana will play the Proteas on Saturday in Barbados, the region's grand finale.