Cricket News

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Day 25 Semi-final 1 Preview and Predictions

After more than three weeks of action in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, we have the final four teams as we come close to crowning the champions.

The semi-finals kick off on Day 25, with South Africa taking on the spirited Afghanistan in the first one.

This is the first time Afghanistan have made the semi-finals of an ICC event, while South Africa will be looking to make the final and go all the way to break their trophy drought. 

Also watch: Is this Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli’s final T20 World Cup?

Men’s T20 WC 2024 Match 55 || Semi-final 1: South Africa vs Afghanistan | 06:00 IST, June 27

No one expected Afghanistan to make the semi-finals given they were in a group with Australia and India in the Super Eights, but Rashid Khan and his men not only stunned Australia but held their nerves against Bangladesh in a must-win situation to make it to the final four.

The Afghans have had Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran star with the bat, while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rashid Khan, and Gulbadin Naib have contributed with the ball. Naveen ul Haq turned up for the final Super Eight game as well, which would be a welcome blessing for Khan and his squad. The Afghani middle order hasn’t really got runs under the belt, though, so the Proteas will be looking to get them in quick.

While all the hype has been around the likes of India, England, Australia and the West Indies, South Africa have quietly gone about their business, being clinical in almost all their games to lock in a semi-final spot. Almost all of their top six have contributed with the bat when needed, while Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, and Anrich Nortje have done the job with the ball. Tabraiz Shamsi had a good outing with the ball in their last game, so the South African side look like a well-oiled unit.

At a low-scoring venue, we should be in for another close game, with South Africa holding the edge. 

Fantasy XI: Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Venue: Tarouba
Winner Prediction: South Africa

Also read: ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 Sponsors

Aditya Chaudhuri

Hailing from the City of Joy, the things that bring me joy are cricket, a good non-tilt CS:GO session, F1 and movies.

Recent Posts

IPL 2026 Team Sponsors and Partners: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

This article contains information regarding the organisations enjoying a strong branding presence across the assets…

6 hours ago

Football’s Forgotten Ballers Ch.1: Yoann Gourcouff

Football over the years has given us some of the most silken, skillful, elegant, and…

16 hours ago

Mumbai Indians renews long-standing partnership with Usha International

Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Mumbai Indians have announced a renewal of their decade-long…

16 hours ago

IPL 2026 | Match 5: LSG vs DC | Preview and Predictions

Match 5 of the 2026 IPL season will be played between the Lucknow Super Giants…

1 day ago

Mumbai Indians teams up with FiatPe for IPL 2026

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Mumbai Indians has announced a new partnership with fintech company,…

1 day ago

F1 extends British Council partnership

Formula One has announced a two-year partnership extension with the British Council which will see…

1 day ago