So Afghanistan slip away to lick their wounds. Over-achieved this World Cup but were stung today by relentless excellence from the South African bowlers and a pitch that would switch from chilli to ice cream and back again within an over.
South Africa, seemingly nerve-less, go through to their first final after so many stinging disappointments. They march to Barbados unbeaten in the competition, where they will face one of India or England. That semi-final blasts off at 3.30pm BST.
Time for me to pull myself up the stairs to bed. Thanks for your company as ever. Congratulations South Africa, and good night!
But if you want more, South Africa fans, here is Martin Pegan’s full report:
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Rashid Khan and his men do a lap of honour, look a bit less shell-shocked now. Rashid waving and giving thumbs up to those he recognises in the crowd. Now he’s been hauled in to do his media.
“I think it was a tough night for us as a team and we could’ve done better than us. But conditions didn’t let us do that but you should be mentally ready for any situation. I thought we didn’t bat well.
“We have enjoyed it a lot, overall quite happy with the way we managed ourselves in pressure situations and winning big games in big competitions. Is just a beginning for us, we can beat any side on our day. Overall a great tournament for us.”
He finishes off with a couple of paragraphs in Pashto.
Now Aidan Markram: “It feels good, not really the captain who gets you to the final, it is a massive collective effort. A special bowling performance, fortunate to have lost the toss, we also would have batted. Bowlers still had to get the balls in the right areas and made life tough for the Afghanistan batters. Quite tough to bat in, we knew it was a matter of getting a partnership up front, chuffed to have got it over the line. A lot of our games have been really close and I know there are a lot of people who’ve been waking up early back home with grey hairs and hope this was a bit less nervy. A lot of belief in this group, as a white ball group we’ve all been together for some time.”
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“I just hope that Afghanistan are remembered for, and indeed remember themselves, the journey to this World Cup semi-final. It’s no small thing and tonight’s display & result should take nothing away from that. And yes, Gregor, I got to see the whole game. Here’s to you!” And thank you for helping me stay awake Stephen Holliday.
Player of the match: Marco Jansen (3-16)
Jansen looks as if he’s just been awarded a wet flannel. “The wicket was giving us a few to work with,” he deadpans. Think the guys played really well and executed well. For us, it was just sticking to the plan and bowling our best ball.” He smiles when asked to assess his captain. “He’s awesome.”
Handshakes all round, hugs, all good natured. A visibly thrilled South Africa finally make a World Cup final after seven, seven! failed attempts.
South Africa beat Afghanistan by nine wickets!
8.5 overs: South Africa 60-1 (Hendricks 29, Markram 23) Markram, eye in, draws himself up to his full imposing height, and drives Omarzai up and over for four. A no ball brings a free hit which Hendricks powers for six, and a sweetly-timed four brings the longed-for sweet-tasting victory!
8th over: South Africa 43-1 (Hendricks 18, Markram 18) Markram pulls Gulbadin with gusto for four. Super shot. Jeopardy gone now, even on this pitch.
7th over: South Africa 35-1 (Hendricks 15, Markram 13) I’m not sure whether Afghanistan or the pitch is South Africa’s biggest opponent here. Three from Omarzai shoot for the toes, the sixth rears onto its hind legs.
6th over: South Africa 34-1 (Hendricks 15, Markram 12) Rashid Khan for the final over of the power play. He looks fit to burst with emotion. Hendricks keeps out a scuttler but pounds the next for four
“For fear of the Rashid glare, I’d agree with anything he said! I’m my alternative, scared reality, South Africa are two down…” I’m with you all the way Stephen Holliday.
5th over: South Africa 26-1 (Hendricks 8, Markram 11) Continued pitch capriciousness – on the TV a little graphic pops up which shows how much a ball on the same length has varied in its bounce – answer: a lot. Four as a jack-knived Markram gets an inside edge . Four more next ball with an immaculate high-elbowed square drive. Rashid Khan sprints to the rope to pull back another heading for the rope. Bowler Naveen shakes his head.
4th over: South Africa 13-1 (Hendricks 7, Markram 0) Fazalhaq teasing South Africa with complete control of his change of pace. But a wide and an overpitched final ball which Hendricks latches onto means seven leaks from the over.
3rd over: South Africa 6-1 (Hendricks 1, Markram 0) More magic from Naveen, some capricious bounce, and Rashid wants to review a caught behind. No-one else is interested but the big-screen replay shows that Markram would have been out! Rashid scowls, as does Jonathan Trott at his desk.
2nd over: South Africa 5-1 (Hendricks 0, Markram 0) de Kock whips Fazalhaq’s first ball off his pads through midwicket for four, but four balls later is trudging off. Away swinger, away-swinger, in-swinger three -card trick.
Good morning Ian Le! “Walked in a sports club 5 minutes before their opening time of 8 am here in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, glanced at the screen and saw Afghanistan 5 down for 25, swore oh fxxx. Walked out to get decent breakfast somewhere else, what a letdown !” Just stay in the vicinity for an over or two…
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WICKET! de Kock b Fazalhaq 5 (South Africa 5-1)
After one that goes away, a beauty that swings in. De Kock fancies something expansive and must hear the death rattle.
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1st over: South Africa 1-0 (de Kock 1, Hendricks 0) Vuvuzelas accompany the South African reply. Naveen sprints in, and his second ball rises like a cobra and spits into de Kock’s rib cage. He crouches in pain. The fifth is a thing of beauty which squares him up. The sixth too. Super over. Nefarious pitch.
South Africa need 57 to win
Afghanistan stand in a huddle, can they pull the biggest, fattest, furriest rabbit from a tiny hat?
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“I’m not there in Trinidad but I wish I was,” writes Jeremy in his gloves, “it’s freezing here in southern Chile , had -14 c the other day .cricket and mate keeping me warm.
“Shame for Afghanistan , but great aggressive bowling , non stop pressure . 2 wickets in the first over will make it interesting though .Don’t fall asleep Tanya.” Just going to make a 3am coffee now.
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Hello there Gregor Salsa. “Well, your Toronto correspondent should be able to watch the whole game before he goes to bed.
“In what universe did Afghaniston decide to bat first? I thought it seemed an odd decision when I read it on this blog. Then I switched over to theTV coverage just before the start, and was astonished to see the wicket.
“It looks like a grass version of crazy paving, for those who don’t have the visuals.And very green. Since I started writing this email Afghanistan have lost two more wickets. Since I first thought about writing it, they’ve lost six wickets. Perhaps this is a Doctor Who episode, and there will be some kind of time rewind. Now it’s three wickets.
“Did they take advice from Rishi Sunak?”
Crazy paving is exactly the word! I was trying to think of it in my sleep deprived state before they started play but couldn’t press play on the brain dictionary And now we see it again as the groundsman pushes a tiny roller to and fro. South Africa would have batted too mind – and Rabada seemed surprised by the movement so….
“We weren’t expecting that” says Rabada with a grin, “It’s moving around quite a bit,” . On the radio, Steven Finn says it is not a pitch worthy of a T20 semi-final.
“South African here who woke up at 02:30 for this game,” writes Jonah. “Incredible scenes so far! Can’t believe my eyes.” Your boys have been superb and Afghanistan look completely drained – two tight emotionally charged games and a very quick turn around.
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WICKET! Naveen lbw Shamsi 2 (Afghanistan 56 all out)
11.5 overs: Afghanistan 56 (Fazalhaq 2) Innovation! Naveen picks up a couple from a reverse-sweep that ricochets off de Kocks’ pad. But three balls later he sweeps and is clonked mid thigh on back knee. He reviews but it is very out. Off they trudge – Afghanistan’s lowest ever score in T20 internationals.
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11th over: Afghanistan 53-9 (Naveen 2, Fazalhaq 1) I can’t quite work out how full the stadium is, definitely not full-full, but I think a decent crowd. If you’re there, and not too despondent, in the Trinidad night, please drop the OBO a line.
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WICKET! Rashid b Nortje 8 (Afghanistan 50-9)
A nasty, fasty that removes his off stump. Not Rashid’s greatest shot – as he bunny hops to leg stump and watches his off stump cartwheel away.
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10th over: Afghanistan 50-8 (Rashid 8, Naveen 0) Two for Shamsi in his first over of whirlygigs. At the non-striker’s end Rashid imperceptively shakes his head. On come drinks, as the game deflates.
WICKET! Noor lbw Shamsi 0 (Afghanistan 50-8)
Richard Illingworth doesn’t pause a millisecond before raising the finger, a two ball duck for Noor, hit on the front pad, deep in the crease.
WICKET! Janat lbw Shamsi 8 (Afghanistan 50-7)
Janat gets low and is hit on the front pad. He reviews but in vain and the third umpire sends him on his way. Impact in line and umpire’s call.
9th over: Afghanistan 45-6 (Janat 4, Rashid 8) Another decent over for Afghanistan – Janat picks up a couple off a sweet drive and survives an lbw review by South Africa – their first review in five matches. Four byes as a ball from Nortje takes off and flies over batter and keeper.
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8th over: Afghanistan 38-6 (Janat 1, Rashid 8) Rashid Khan suddenly playing Rabada as if he’s at the park with lolly sticking out of his pocket, a cover-drive for four, followed by four cut over backward point.
7th over: Afghanistan 29-6 (Janat 0, Rashid 0) If anyone can do it, Rashid Khan can do it. He’s greeted with a couple of beauties from Nortje and is lucky to keep them out. A shell-shocked dugout stare ahead.
WICKET! Omarzai c Stubbs b Nortje (Afghanistan 28-6)
Nortje isn’t really light relief, but high stress doesn’t always lead to good decision making. Omarzai tries to follow his big hit the previous over. but can only loft him high and to deep cover where Stubbs takes the ball in a deep squat.
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6th over: Afghanistan 27-5 ( Omarzai 10, Janat 0) The end of a disastrous power play for Afghanistan. A tiny squeeze of hope as Omarzai goes on the counter attack and pounds Rabada for four through the off side
“Well that escalated quickly….” taps Stephen Holliday,”here’s to an England - South Africa final???” It is hard to see how they get out of this one …
WICKET! Kharote c de Kock b Jansen 2 (Afghanistan 23-5)
5th over: Afghanistan 23-5 ( Omarzai 5) A bouncer down the leg side, Kharote could have left it, but he swings for glory and a kiss of glove goes through to de Kock.
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4th over: Afghanistan 20-4 ( Omarzai 5, Kharote 0) Just a double wicket maiden in a world cup semi final. Afghanistan need to extremely quickly turn to the page in the fairy tale where they come up with a cunning plan.
WICKET! Nabi b Rabada 0 (Afghanistan 20-4)
And another! A pearler at high speed that screams through bat and pad.
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WICKET! Ibrahim b Rabada 2 (Afghanistan 20-3)
Perfection in one delivery and through the gate. Oh dear, dear.
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3rd over: Afghanistan 20-2 ( Omarzai 4, Ibrahim 2) In the dug-out, Gulbadin shakes his head with folded arms. Jansen nearly makes things worse with a brutish bouncer that Omarzai almost parries to a diving leg slip.
WICKET! Gulbadin b Jansen 9 (Afghanistan 16-2)
Jansen, implacable, throws in a couple of wides before pulling out a beauty that hits the back of a length and nibbles off stump. Gulbadin, feet set, can do nothing but look back in despair.
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2nd over: Afghanistan 10-1 ( Gulbadin 5, Ibrahim 2) Maharaj opens the bowling, for the first time in a T20 for South Africa since 2022. Gulbadin, pushed up the order, tucks into his second ball, sending it spinning down the ground, but is beaten by a beauty later in the over.
“I’d love to see Afghanistan go through, but it’ll surely be South Africa,” writes Andrew Benton. “The OBO certainly adds some unexpected zing to what will hopefully be a rather quiet Thursday morning in the office - will be following to the end!” Shout at me Andrew, if you think I’m falling asleep
WICKET! Gurbaz c Hendricks b Jansen 0 (Afghanistan 4-1)
1st over: Afghanistan 4-1 ( Ibrahim 1) Jansen has had a leg slip all through this tournament and is yet to get a catch there – comes the expert view. But leg slip remains, as does conventional slip, and the third ball is edged just to the right of slip . A couple of leg-side wides give Afghanistan a window to breathe but then Gurbaz drives at a half volley and Hendricks does the rest.
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The giant figures of Jansen holds the ball at the top of his mark…
Hello there Stephen Holliday! “This is going to be a step too far for Afghanistan isn’t it? Maybe? Am in Toronto so will watch the start of the game. Have two small kids so will be asleep for the end of the game. Not a huge fan of the format of this tournament but it has thrown up some good matches to watch and even if it has leaned heavily for India’s continued participation, at least they’re clearly the best team around right now so the help probably hasn’t been too much of a help. Still, business end ends of tournaments do funny things so here’s to an England - Afghanistan final!!”
I can’t rule it out! But I don’t know which of those two finalists is the more unlikely…
And here come the teams, hand in hand with the mascots! Huge smiles from Afghanistan as they walk out, and they belt out the anthem. Trott has his hands behind his back looking pensive from the sidelines. A nice bit of piano at the start of “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”. South Africa bookended by giant fast bowlers, look grimly determined.
The Afghanistan team coach, just in case it has slipped your mind, is ex England batter Jonathan Trott, appointed in July 2022. A classic case of fire and ice.
South Africa XI
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (capt), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Afghanistan XI
Afghanistan:Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (capt), Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Afghanistan win the toss and will bat!
A beaming Rashid Khan: “We haven’t slept much, straight after the game we came here. A four-hour delayed flight makes it worse. Still, everyone’s pumped up - this game is huge for us, we just make sure we go with the right mindset and let the skills decide.” Aiden Markram would have batted too. Both sides are unchanged.
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If South Africa win today, they will slip into their first final in international competition since the Champions trophy in 1998. Afghanistan have never made the semis of a big ICC competition before, and only gained full member status seven years ago. Though that status in itself is currently controversial, as the ICC constitution says full members should have a women’s side and Afghanistan’s was disbanded with the arrival of the Taliban. They stopped women and girls playing sport, and even going to school.
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Preamble
Good morning! It’s still heady with heat here in Manchester, jasmine and mock orange hanging in the air, so I’m currently feeling a kinship with those waking up in Trinidad (indulge me here for a moment).
This first semi-final is an unexpected gem, if not the game people were expecting. Firstly – no Australia. Secondly – Afghanistan! South Africa, their opponents, warmed up for today with seven successive wins. But can the famous tournament chokers do it on the day?
During the group stages the pitch at Brian Lara Stadium proffered variable bounce – though the builders were sent in since to switch it off and off again in the hope things will reset. I’m going to quickly grab an hour’s sleep – back soon with news of the toss.
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