Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup journey ends

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup journey on Thursday came to a shocking end, losing an utterly one-sided semi-final match to South Africa on the Tarouba pitch.

Bundled out for a paltry 56, Afghanistan became the first side to be dismissed for less than 100 in a T20 World Cup semi-final, according to the ICC news centre.

Inside the first 10 overs of the innings, South Africa bagged eight wickets, with Player of the Match Marco Jansen claiming three scalps for 16.in three overs.

Kagiso Rabada took two for 14 and Anrich Nortje also removed two Afghan batters for seven. Tabraiz Shamsi wrapped up the tail, taking three wickets in 11 deliveries.

Set a target of 57, South Africa lost Quinton de Kock (5) to Fazal Haq Farooqi. But Reeza Hendricks (29*) and Aiden Markram (23) saw their side romp home in the ninth over.

In the final, South Africa will take on the winners of the India-England semi-final in Barbados on June 29.

Losing skipper Rashid Khan called match a tough game for his boys, acknowledging his team collapsed in the batting department.”

In a post-match comment, he said: “We might have done a little better than that, but the conditions didn’t allow us to do what we wanted.”

PAN Monitor/mud

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