Record-Breaking Moments from the SA vs AFG 1st Semifinal

The T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final clash between South Africa and Afghanistan in Tarouba is destined for the history books, not just because of South Africa’s demolition job on Afghanistan’s batting lineup—seriously, they made it look like trying to catch a greased pig in a mud pit—but also because they chased down the target faster than someone racing to the buffet table at a free food event.  Join us as we unravel the stats and laugh along at the incredible moments of this epic match!

South Africa’s Historic First

The first and foremost record to note is South Africa’s historic achievement of reaching the final of a men’s World Cup, whether ODI or T20I, for the first time. South Africa has only made it to the final of an ICC competition once before, in 1998, when they won the Knockout Trophy. This milestone is a testament to South Africa’s growth and evolution in the world of cricket, overcoming their infamous ‘chokers’ tag in ICC events.

The Winning Streak

South Africa’s victory against Afghanistan marked their eighth consecutive win in the T20 World Cup, equalling the longest winning streak in the tournament’s history. This record was previously set by Australia with their last three wins in 2022 and their first five in 2024. For South Africa, this streak is also their longest in men’s T20Is, surpassing their previous best of seven consecutive wins achieved in 2009 and 2021. This remarkable run underscores South Africa’s consistent performance and dominance in the tournament.

Afghanistan’s Record Low

Afghanistan’s total of 56 was their lowest in T20Is, a new nadir surpassing their previous lowest of 72 all out against Bangladesh in the 2014 T20 World Cup. This was also the lowest total by any team against South Africa in T20Is, with the previous lowest being Sri Lanka’s 77 all out in New York earlier in this World Cup. Such a low total in a high-stakes semi-final highlights the pressure and challenges faced by Afghanistan in this crucial match.

Lowest Knockout Total

Afghanistan’s disastrous 56-all-out in the T20 World Cup set a new standard for keeping it low-key in knockout matches. The previous lowest was 101, recorded twice: by West Indies against Sri Lanka in the 2009 semi-final and by Sri Lanka against West Indies in the 2012 final. This statistic reflects the one-sided nature of the contest and South Africa’s clinical bowling performance.

South Africa’s Largest Win by Balls to Spare

South Africa chased down the target with 67 balls remaining, marking their biggest win by balls to spare in T20Is. Their previous best was 51 balls remaining while chasing 130 against Pakistan in 2007. This record emphasizes the efficiency and dominance of South Africa’s batting lineup in achieving the modest target.

South Africa’s win in this semi-final not only extended their perfect record against Afghanistan to 5-0 but also reinforced Afghanistan’s knack for avoiding victory against them, like dodging a sneaky cat on a sunny day. Among the 22 teams Afghanistan has faced in international cricket, South Africa, India, and Nepal remain their elusive trio—kind of like those socks that disappear in the laundry every time.

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