In a thrilling semi-final match of T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa won by nine wickets against Afghanistan. South Africa chased the target of 57 runs with ease in just 8.5 overs with the unbeaten knocks of Reeza Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram. South Africa's Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi claimed three wickets each while Afghanistan struggled to put up a decent score with the highest being 10 runs.
South Africa Dominates Afghanistan in T20 World Cup Semi-Final with Crushing Nine-Wicket Victory
In a highly anticipated semi-final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, South Africa emerged victorious by a resounding nine wickets against Afghanistan.
Background
South Africa entered the semi-finals as the Group 2 winner, while Afghanistan earned their berth by finishing second in Group 1. The two teams had never met in a T20 World Cup match before.
Match Summary
Afghanistan batted first, but struggled to establish any momentum against South Africa's potent bowling attack. Mohammad Nabi's 10 runs was the only double-digit contribution from the Afghan lineup. South Africa's Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi proved to be lethal, claiming three wickets each. Afghanistan was eventually bowled out for a mere 56 runs.
In response, South Africa chased down the target with remarkable ease. Reeza Hendricks and captain Aiden Markram formed an unbeaten partnership, scoring 28 and 27 runs respectively. The Proteas reached their target in just 8.5 overs, securing their place in the final.
Key Players
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the significance of South Africa's victory? It signifies their dominance in the tournament and puts them in contention for their first T20 World Cup title.
2. Why did Afghanistan struggle in the match? Afghanistan's batting order failed to fire, and their bowlers were unable to contain the South African batters.
3. Who is South Africa's top performer in the tournament? Marco Jansen has been in top form, leading the wicket-takers chart with 15 scalps.
4. What was the previous outcome between South Africa and Afghanistan in T20Is? Prior to this match, the two teams had never faced each other in a T20 International.
5. When and where will the final of the T20 World Cup be held? The final of the 2024 T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on November 17, 2024.
Tennis sensation Jannik Sinner met one of his biggest fans at Wimbledon this year, who showed their devotion with a tattoo of Sinner's name and signature. The Italian player was surprised and amused by the tattoo, and even signed it for the fan. The interaction has gained attention on social media, with some calling Sinner's reaction heartwarming and others questioning his sexuality.
Superstar forward Lionel Messi, alongside teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez, has been selected to lead the MLS All-Star team in their matchup against Mexico's Liga MX. The game, set for July 24 in Columbus, Ohio, will see the top players from both leagues pitted against each other in what is sure to be an exciting and highly competitive match. Don't miss out on the action – have you subscribed yet?
Mikel Arteta has made some bold decisions as Arsenal's manager, including axing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the squad and choosing David Raya over Aaron Ramsdale. However, his most controversial call was dropping Mesut Ozil from the team early on in his tenure. Despite the backlash from fans, Arteta has been vindicated in his decision, as former England international Stuart Pearce reflects on Ozil's decline at Arsenal. Pearce first saw Ozil's potential in 2009 and praises his talent, but admits that the German's time at the Gunners had come to an end.
After Turkey's Merih Demiral displayed a hand gesture associated with a right-wing nationalist group during his goal celebration at Euro 2020, German interior minister Nancy Faeser condemned the action and called for UEFA to punish the player. The controversy has led to a diplomatic brouhaha between the two countries, with Turkey summoning the German ambassador and criticizing Germany's focus on racism and fascism in soccer rather than recent election results. However, German politician of Turkish descent, Cem Özdemir, also condemned the gesture, stating it stands for "terror and fascism." UEFA is currently investigating the incident and has yet to announce any disciplinary action.
In a shocking announcement, the United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) revealed that star player Alex Morgan will not be joining the team for the Tokyo Olympics. New coach Emma Hayes made the controversial decision to leave out Morgan, who has been a key player for the team for over a decade. Despite her undeniable talent and contributions to the team's success, Morgan's recent injury and lack of scoring may have played a role in the coach's decision. Fans and sports analysts alike are now questioning the impact of Morgan's absence on the team's chances at the Olympics.
After four memorable years with Liverpool, versatile midfielder Melkamu Frauendorf has made the decision to move on and continue his football journey with Hannover 96. Frauendorf's time at Liverpool was highlighted by his impressive adaptability and technical prowess on the field, earning him appearances at both the youth and senior level. Now, as he embarks on a new chapter with Hannover 96, Frauendorf reflects on his time at Liverpool with gratitude, expressing his excitement for the fresh challenge ahead.
Turkey center-back Merih Demiral has sparked controversy with his game-winning goal celebration in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 match against Austria. His gesture, shaped as a wolf's head, is linked to the Turkish ultra-nationalist group known as the "Grey Wolves." This has caused backlash from the German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who called out the player for promoting racism and using the European Football Championship as a platform for extremist ideologies. This incident has caught the attention of UEFA, who will investigate the matter. However, Demiral has defended his actions, stating that he was proud to represent his country and that his celebration was in honor of being Turkish.
Portugal's talismanic footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, has announced that this European Championship will be his last, admitting that his emotions won't get in the way of his final farewell. Despite a tough tournament, the 39-year-old hasn't scored in the four games played during the competition. However, the team's triumph in their Round of 16 match against Slovenia, thanks to a penalty save by Jan Oblak, brought tears to the captain's eyes. The record-breaking scorer, with 14 goals in European Championships, said his main motivation is to bring joy to his fans and give his all for his team, regardless of the outcome.
Ecuador is set to face off against Argentina in the quarterfinals of Copa America and they will be relying on their young players to make an impact. With promising talent like Kendry Paez and Sarmiento joining experienced players like Enner Valencia, Ecuador is confident of causing an upset. In addition, key players like goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez, defender Félix Torres, and midfielders William Pacho and Piero Hincapié have been performing well and will be crucial in the team's push for a spot in the semifinals.
Swiss tennis pro Stan Wawrinka and Greek star Maria Sakkari speak out about the confusion and delays surrounding the scheduling of their matches at Wimbledon. Both players, along with others, were left in a state of uncertainty about their upcoming matches and the court they would be playing on. This incident highlights the importance of proper organisation and communication in such high-profile sporting events.