South Africa men roared into their maiden World Cup final after dominating Afghanistan in Trinidad.
Rashid Khan’s side were bowled out for 56 batting first, their lowest total in 142 T20Is.
The Proteas made short work of the paltry total in reply, reaching their target with nine wickets still intact and inside nine overs, confirming an emphatic victory.
After ending a run of seven last-four defeats in men’s white-ball World Cups, Aiden Markram’s side head to Barbados where the winners of the second semi-final between India and England will join them.
And they do so having produced the complete performance their tournament thus far has been missing.
From the moment the Afghans’ formidable opening partnership of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) and Ibrahim Zadran was broken in the first over by Marco Jansen it was one-way traffic.
Two nights on from beating Bangladesh, Afghanistan cut dejected figures
Jansen struck again to remove Gulbadin Naib (9) before Kagiso Rabada bowled Zadran (2) and Mohammad Nabi (0) within four deliveries in his opening over.
After Nangeyalia Kharote (2) was caught down the leg-side and Azmatullah Omarzai (10), the only batter to reach double figures, was dismissed by Anrich Nortje it was left to Tabraiz Shamsi to wrap up the innings with three lbws which went his way.
All out for 56 meant Afghanistan set a new floor for the lowest total in a men’s T20I knockout game, with extras (13) the top-scorer.
Though Quinton de Kock was bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Aiden Markram survived edging behind, which Afghanistan decided against reviewing, South Africa ticked through the target.
Reeza Henricks struck a much-needed 29 not out alongside captain Markram (22 not out) as a 55-run second-wicket stand did the business.
