Beware! Supporting South Africa is not for the faint-hearted!

The Proteas, who have the unenvious tag of ‘chokers’ in world cricket, have made a happy habit of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the 20-over extravaganza in the Americas — an experience as gripping as watching a House of the Dragon episode with a cliffhanger finish.

Things could have gone horribly wrong for Aiden Markram’s men on multiple occasions. However, they weathered the storm and sailed into the semifinals unbeaten. Whether they go two steps further to win the whole thing remains to be seen. But the fact that South Africa has players it can depend upon to show up in crucial moments will instil confidence in the ranks.

Remember it all too well

South Africa’s tryst with nail-biting finishes in the 2024 T20 World Cup started against the Netherlands. After an easy win against Sri Lanka, at least compared to the other humdingers that were to follow, the Proteas faced their bogey team in multi-national tournaments. They used up six wickets and 113 deliveries while chasing down the Netherlands’ 103 — granted it was not a modest target on the dicey New York track. They were, at one stage, reeling at 12 for four but a calm and collected David Miller, ably supported by Tristan Stubbs’ efforts, guided them home.

“The game of cricket makes it a bit tricky. We are moving forward as a squad. Sometimes the victories are going to be convincing. To squeeze a win out from that (12 for four) situation is good for the team environment,” skipper Markram said after the game.

While it was a narrow four-wicket win against the Men in Orange, their next assignment saw the Proteas pull off a four-run victory over Bangladesh. After deciding to bat, their top-order once again failed to make a mark and put together 113 to defend. However, the bowlers were accurate (none went for more than 27) as the team clinched a win with some luck going its way.

As fate would have it

In the 17th over of Bangladesh’s chase, Mahmudullah was adjudged lbw by the umpire. The batter went for a review which proved that the ball was missing the stumps. Mahmudullah extended his stay at the crease but lost out on the four leg-byes he would have otherwise got for the ball going for a boundary after hitting his pads as the umpire’s original verdict had already deemed the delivery dead. According to the Playing Conditions, despite the umpire’s verdict being overturned, Bangladesh did not get those crucial four runs which ended up being the victory margin for South Africa.

Nonetheless, if there is one team that deserves the rub of the green going its way thanks to a cricket law, it is South Africa. Remember the 1992 World Cup semifinal against England? The heavens opened up when Kepler Wessels’ side needed 22 off 13 and the target was readjusted (according to the laws then) to 21 from one ball and South Africa had to bow out of its first World Cup unceremoniously.

Back to 2024, the Proteas’ next challenge was against a spirited Nepal side which did its best to hunt down the target of 116 and fell agonisingly short. From requiring just 18 runs from as many balls with seven wickets in hand, it was a safe bet to say that Nepal would get across the line. However, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje and Ottneil Baartman delivered what was asked of them and restricted Nepal to 114 for seven — a one-run victory for South Africa.

This was the closest win for the Proteas in this mega event which saw a final-ball drama break Nepal fans’ hearts. With two runs needed off the last delivery, Gulsan Jha ran for a bye and would have thought that he was safe after wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock’s throw hit his back and deflected. However, as luck would have it, the ball went directly to a vigilant Heinrich Klaasen who flicked the ball onto the stumps. Jha, who slowed down after the ball made contact with him, was late in getting to the crease and failed to take the game to a Super Over.

Coming in clutch

Following a streak of pulsating results, the Proteas would have hoped for an easy win against co-host USA in their first Super 8 fixture. However, Andries Gous — a South Africa-born cricketer — took the co-host close to chasing a target of 195 with his unbeaten 47-ball 80. Before Kagiso Rabada’s exceptional two-run penultimate over reeled things back, South Africa fans would have got flashbacks of the 2015 ODI World Cup semifinal knock by Grant Elliott — also a South Africa native — to take New Zealand into the summit clash. It wasn’t to be in Antigua and the Proteas prevailed by 18 runs.

A crackerjack

After five consecutive victories in the tournament, the wagon moved to St. Lucia for South Africa to face the defending champion England. And, surprise, surprise… this was also a crackerjack of a contest. The pendulum swung in the windy Gros Islet as both teams had the chance to win it easily.

Jos Buttler’s men were chasing South Africa’s 163 and were in trouble at 61 for four after 10.2 overs. Then, Liam Livingstone and Harry Brook cut it down to 46 off 24 to make it anybody’s game. The duo punished the next over, laden with full tosses from Baartman, and cut down the target to 25 off 18. The game was in England’s grasp, but Rabada, Marco Jansen and Nortje had other ideas and turned the contest on its head. Markram’s stupendous catch running backwards to dismiss a dangerous Brook off Nortje’s final over was crucial in the side’s seven-run victory.

Do-or-die clash

South Africa’s most important, and latest, victory came in a do-or-die Super 8 clash against the West Indies. The two-time champion tightened the screws on South Africa’s run chase, which at one stage was in cruise control with 46 runs needed off 55 balls with seven wickets in hand. However, Rovman Powell’s men — playing for a last-four spot themselves — made a match of it thanks to a disciplined bowling effort and brought the equation to nine off seven. Then, a marvellous drive through extra-cover from Rabada and a maximum down the ground by the 6’8’’ towering Jansen, who stood tall in the nervy chase with an unbeaten 14-ball 21, turned the tide and sealed South Africa’s semifinal berth.

“I’m sweating. Quite nervy at the end. That’s been the theme of our tournament — us finding a way to win as a team, no matter what the situation is. Our supporters would probably like bigger wins. But things like this keep us in check,” Shamsi said after the three-wicket victory.

Yes, the scenario could have been different for South Africa. Mahmudullah could have been given not out by the umpire, and Jha could have not hesitated and reached the crease to force a tie-breaker. But, take nothing away from the performances its players have put up and the belief that they have shown to win games of cricket so far. A semifinal clash against Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan awaits Markram’s men. Given their remarkable journey so far, the Proteas will fancy themselves to go all the way and break their World Cup drought.

In the recent past, Afghanistan have become the second favourite team of cricket fans (assuming their respective countries are the first) in international tournaments. If you asked them before the start of the T20 World Cup, “If not your country, which team would you like to see win?”, most would have answered, “Afghanistan” (at other times, and for different reasons, New Zealand or Sri Lanka have been second favourites).

And this is not just because of Afghanistan’s recent history of war and terror and human disasters — which are reason enough — but for the brand of joyful cricket and unexpected narratives they bring to the field of play too. And for the sheer spirit and togetherness in the team which now has some world class performers.

Thrill of participation

This support is in no way patronising, nor does it come from a position of superiority. There has always been, in this team, the palpable thrill of participation, and the augury of great possibilities, all communicated to the viewers unselfconsciously. Now they have two bowlers in the world’s Top 10 and a batter in the Top 15 as they prepare to take on South Africa in the semifinal of a World Cup. It is the most romantic cricket story of our times.

The three other semifinalists are the only teams in the top 10 that Afghanistan have not beaten yet. But that hardly matters. This World Cup is already theirs in a bigger sense.

“Cricket is the only source of happiness back home,” skipper Rashid Khan has said. Afghanistan’s cricket is a source of happiness the world over. But there’s more. Cricket spells hope for a country that has suffered for decades, giving the players a sense of purpose and the satisfaction of achievement.

On the other hand, the growth of cricket among Afghans has showed the significance of sport and its ability to mean something beyond itself. Afghanistan and cricket have been good for each other, both have gained from the relationship.

Significantly, Afghanistan beat Bangladesh the old-fashioned way, by claiming ten wickets. They didn’t need any help from a rain washout or the rules or the apparently dodgy cramps from a player. This means there will be no mental asterisks against their qualification, for they certainly deserve to be in the semifinals. They beat Australia and New Zealand at the World Cup. They have three of the five most successful bowlers and two of the three most successful batters in the tournament.

But statistics are merely reference points for future researchers. These say nothing of the excitement, the decisions under pressure or how close to the edge either team came.

Crucial call

When Naveen-ul Haq came on to bowl what turned out to be the final over, there was consternation that Afghanistan might have got it wrong. Shouldn’t Fazalhaq Farooqi, the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and a left arm seamer, be the one to bowl it? If the match went into the 19th over, surely it would be the end for Afghanistan?

It needed some magic, perhaps two wickets in two deliveries so opening batter Litton Das would be left stranded at the non-striker’s end. Naveen-ul Haq provided the magic. Two wickets off successive deliveries. Then he took off, arms outstretched, and in danger of achieving lift-off. It was magnificent, a startling reminder of why some people play a sport, other people write about it, and how one hour of crowded glory is worth an age without a name!

Importance of Nabi

Mohammad Nabi, a few months short of his 40th birthday, was less demonstrative than the bowler. He had seen it all while taking Afghanistan from the World Cricket League division 5 to the semifinals of a World Cup. It was his century against a touring MCC that suggested Afghanistan might be a future Test candidate. Much like C.K. Nayudu’s century against the MCC hastened India’s entry into the big league.

Nabi has played 127 of Afghanistan’s 137 T20 internationals — his book, when he writes it, will have some of the most fascinating human stories you can hope to read anywhere.

But all that’s for the future. For the moment, it is celebration time. For Afghanistan, and for the rest of the world (barring perhaps Australia and Bangladesh).

Skipper Rashid Khan believes that Afghanistan’s maiden T20 World Cup semifinal qualification, following spectacular wins over New Zealand and Australia along the way, is a momentous feat that will inspire the youth of the strife-torn nation. Afghanistan, who became a full ICC member only in 2017, scripted history by qualifying for their maiden T20 World Cup semifinal with a win over Bangladesh. “I think the semi-final is going to be a massive, massive like inspiration for the youngsters back home in Afghanistan. That Afghanistan team get into the semis for the first time,” Rashid said at the post match press conference.

“And we have done it under 19 level, but this level we haven’t done that. Even Super Eight was first time for us and then in semis,” he added.

Moments after the win, visuals of jubilant fans back home celebrating Afghanistan’s historic achievement started doing the rounds on social media.

With the feat, Afghanistan have showed how much they have progressed in the white ball formats. At last year’s ODI World Cup, they upset defending champions England and former winners Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They are continuing their giant slaying run at the T20 World Cup having beaten heavyweights New Zealand and Australia.

“The cricket we have played in the whole tournament so far – I think we deserve to be in the semis. The way everyone took the responsibility of getting into the game and performing best for the team,” said Rashid.

“So, I don’t know how I can describe my feeling but it’s a massive achievement for us as a team and as a nation to be in the semis and now looking forward to the semis.” The Afghanistan cricket team is a group of individuals who have honed their skills by playing in T20 leagues around the world. But when they come together to play for their country, it’s hard to find a more passionate bunch.

Afghanistan have found the perfect head coach in former England cricketer Jonathan Trott, who balances things out with his calm and composed demeanour.

The result is a side high on self belief.

“To me, there is no good team and bad team. Every team is equal to each other. As long on a day, we took the right decision the right time, and that’s where the difference comes. So other than that, skill-wise, everyone is equal, I think,” Rashid said.

A touching speech by the Afghanistan captain.

– RASHID KHAN IS THE IN T20I. pic.twitter.com/Q9DDafG8sL

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 25, 2024

An unbeaten South African team awaits them in the semifinal. But the Proteas were stretched a few times in the tournament, especially by minnows Nepal, who stumbled at the final juncture, losing by a run.

“Well, it’s always you get that kind of inspiration for any team you watch on TV and those small totals are defended, they give you lots of things to learn from, and definitely the way Nepal performed in the whole competition was something pleasing to see.” “They have played great cricket against all the sides they have played. And that’s how T20 is all about. You need to have that kind of self-belief that we are capable of beating any side as long we do the right thing in the right time and we’re making sure we keep the thing simple.”

There was a moment during the game against Bangladesh when Gulbadin Naib dramatically fell on his back, clutching his thigh after Trott signalled his players to slow things down. But minutes later, not only was the all-rounder back on the field but he also went on to take Tanzim Hasan’s wicket, causing several former players and commentators to question the genuineness of his discomfort.

But Rashid thought to play down the incident.

“Well, he had some cramp, I don’t know what happened to him and I don’t know what’s going on in social media but that doesn’t matter – it’s just the end field injury which comes and then we haven’t lost any overs, the rain came and we just went off, it’s not something like brought a massive difference in the game.

“We came back on field after five minutes and there was no massive difference. For me, it’s just like a small injury comes in, then you have to take some time.”

Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan with teammates acknowledges fans after Afghanistan won the ICC Twenty20 World Cup cricket match against Bangladesh, at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on June 24, 2024.

West Indian batting great Brian Lara had predicted Afghanistan would reach the T20 World Cup semifinals nearly a month before the tournament began and now that the giant-slayers have made it, skipper Rashid Khan said he is immensely proud to have proved the legend right.

Afghanistan continued their brilliant run at the T20 World Cup as they marched to their first-ever World Cup semifinal with an eight-run win over Bangladesh in the last Super 8 clash here.

“The only guy who put us in the semifinals was Brian Lara and we proved him right. When we met him at a welcome party, I told him we won’t let you down,” Rashid said at the post-match presentation.

“I think when you get the kind of great, great statements from a legend, as a team, I think it gives you lots of energy as well. We are capable,” he added.

Lara, in an interaction with PTI editors at its headquarters last month, had predicted that Afghanistan would be among the semifinalists in the mega-event.

“Afghanistan, they are capable of getting into the (last) four,” Lara had said, while picking his tournament favourites.

Rashid said the conviction that they could advance to the semifinals was ignited by their triumph over heavyweights New Zealand in the group stage.

“It’s a dream for us to be in the semifinals. The way we started the tournament, the belief came when we beat New Zealand. It’s unbelievable,” he recalled.

Afghanistan also picked up a historic win over Australia before beating Bangladesh in the final Super 8 fixture to set up semifinal date with South Africa on June 27.

Against Bangladesh, Afghanistan were restricted to 115/5 but the bowlers led by Naveen Ul Haq and Rashid propelled them to a thrilling eight-run win.

“We thought 130-135 was a good score but we fell 15 runs short. We knew they would come hard at us and we knew that is what we could take advantage of. We didn’t need to do anything extra, just be clear in our plans.

Pacers Naveen and Fazalhaq Farooqi have excelled with the new ball all through the campaign and Rashid couldn’t be happier.

“In T20s if you get a good start, it helps us in the middle overs. They have given great starts to us in the whole competition. It makes it easier for us to go harder at the batsmen.

“They have delivered, they were very clear in their minds,” Rashid said.

On the several rain interruptions that eventually led the match to be truncated, Rashid said they were mentally ready to pick all 10 wickets.

“Rain is something not in our hands but mentally we knew we have to play 20 overs and take 10 wickets.

“That’s the only way we could win. But Gulbadin, he had some cramps. But his wicket was invaluable to us,” he said.

The skipper reckoned there will be huge celebration back home.

“It’s a big achievement for us as well. We have done that at U-19 level but at this World Cup, I don’t have any words to describe the feeling back home. We have to go into the semis with a very clear mind and make sure we enjoy the occasion,” he said.

Shanto blames batters

Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto conceded the team was once again let down by its batters.

“We bowled really well. As a bowling unit we did a lot of good things. But as a batting unit we made some poor decisions especially in the middle overs,” he admitted.

“Whole tournament, we bowled really well, especially Rishad the new guy came and bowled really well, I am really happy for him. As a batting unit we really need to improve a lot.”

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan celebrates a wicket during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup match against Bangladesh in Kingstown on June 24, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

Afghanistan spinner and skipper Rashid Khan registered a remarkable record as he became the player with the most four-wicket hauls in the Twenty20 internationals.

Rashid achieved the milestone during Afghanistan’s eight-run win over Bangladesh in the Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Arnos Vale Ground. Currently, the 25-year-old has nine four-wicket hauls in the T20Is.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan stands in second place on the chart with eight four-wicket hauls.

Uganda’s Henry Ssenyondo holds the third place with seven four-wicket hauls in the 20-over format cricket.

In the game against Bangladesh, the Afghanistan spinner picked up four wickets and gave 23 runs in his four-over spell at an economy rate of 5.80. He removed Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, and Rishad Hossain from the crease in the second innings.

In the super 8 match against Bangladesh, Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan picked up four wickets each in their respective spells. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib also bagged one wicket each in their respective spells and helped the Afghan side win the match by eight runs.

After the defeat, Mitchell Marsh-led Australia are also out of the tournament. The Aussies ended up in third place in the Group 1 table of the Super Eights with just two points.