OC's T20 World Cup Match Prediction: SA vs AFG, Who Will Win Today's Semi-Final?

Afghanistan will be playing against South Africa in the 1st Semi-final of T20 World Cup 2024[AP Photos]Afghanistan will be playing against South Africa in the 1st Semi-final of T20 World Cup 2024[AP Photos]

South Africa (SA) will be playing against Afghanistan (AFG) in the 1st semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. This match will be played at the Biran Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. 

South Africa have played efficient cricket in the tournament. They have not won their games convincingly but found ways to bail themselves out of crunch situations. So far, the Aiden Markram-led side is undefeated, and they will be looking to continue the streak and make their way into the first World Cup final of the nation's cricketing history. 

On the other hand, Afghanistan have scripted a dream run in the tournament. They have thrashed teams like Uganda and Papua New Guinea in the group stage and pulled off stunning performances against teams like New Zealand, Australia and Bangladesh. Rashid Khan and his boys will want this dream run to continue and make their way into the summit clash of the tournament. 


How has the Brian Lara Stadium's pitch behaved?

The wicket at the Brian Lara Stadium has been difficult for the batters to score runs. The bowlers have enjoyed the pitch at all stages. We could expect the same in this game. 

Let us take a look at how the wicket has played at the different stages of the match. 

Phases
Avg 1st Innings Total
Avg Dismissals
Avg 2nd Innings Total
Avg Dismissals
Powerplay203362
Middle Overs503542
Death Overs213493


SA vs AFG: Predicted Toss Result

The wicket at Trinidad has been favourable for the bowlers. It has been difficult for the batters to score runs in the first innings. But batting will be easier in the second innings, and hence, the skipper winning the toss will look to field first. 


SA vs AFG: Important Player Battles

Herinirch Klaasen vs Rashid Khan

Runs
Balls
Dismissals
Strike Rate
64342188.20

Predicted Outcome— Heinrich Klaasen will play a pivotal role in South Africa's batting effort. The Afghanistan skipper, Rashid Khan, will be looking to see the back of this destructive batter as soon as possible. The stage when Klaasen will be batting in the game, Rashid Khan will take up the bowling responsibilities. So, when this face-off takes place, the numbers suggest that Klaasen will dominate the Afghan spinner.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Marco Jansen

Runs
Balls
Dismissals
Strike Rate
0110.00

Predicted Outcome— Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been the mainstay of the Afghan batting in this tournament. In the two games that he has failed to score runs, Afghanistan have lost. His face-off against Marco Jansen will be crucial in deciding the fate of the game. In the only encounter that these two had, Jansen got the better of Gurbaz.


SA vs AFG: Weakness of the teams

South Africa

Failure to hold nerves

South Africa has, over time, earned the 'Chokers' tag with their performances in the crucial games of various tournaments. Their failure to hold their nerves and seize the momentum in important stages of the knockout matches is their biggest weakness ahead of the game. 

Afghanistan

Inexperience at the big stage

This is the first time Afghanistan will be playing in the semi-finals of an ICC tournament. Though they have had a dream run in the tournament so far, their lack of experience in playing in such big games might haunt them at the end of the day.


SA vs AFG: Strengths of the teams

South Africa

The way they have won the games in T20 World Cup 2024

While South Africa has been tagged as the chokers, the wins that they have got in this tournament will give them confidence. In most of the games, the Proteas have overhauled their opposition in a battle of nerves. So, going into the two most important matches of the tournament, this South African team will have the confidence of winning the crunch situations. 

Afghanistan

Playing conditions working in their favour

The biggest strength of the Afghan team has been the way their bowling unit has performed. In most of the games, they have conditions where the bowling could thrive, and they have made the most of it. The wicket at the Brian Lara Stadium will once again be in their favour, and it will be a big advantage for the team going into this all-important match.


SA vs AFG: Today's Match Prediction

SA vs AFG: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 130-135

Predicted second innings score: 135-145

Predicted Result: Given the way the two team has peformed and the experience of the players, South Africa will be the favourites by the slightest of margins.