New Delhi, India

South Africa thrashed Afghanistan in the first T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal on Wednesday (June 26, local time) in Trinidad to book a spot in the tournament final. The Aiden Markram-led Proteas continued their unbeaten run in the 20-nation event, being held in West Indies and the USA, to reach their maiden T20 WC final on the back of spirited performances from Player-of-the-Match Marco Jansen (3 for 16) and Tabraiz Shamsi (3 for 6) to dismiss the Afghans for 56, lowest T20 WC semifinal score, before they chased down the total in 8.5 overs with 9 wickets in hand.

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Jansen and Kagiso Rabada's early strikes dented Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan from the word go before Anrich Nortje and Shamsi joined in. After being all-out for a paltry 56 in 11.5 overs, Afghans managed to remove Quinton De Kock early in SA's run-chase but skipper Markram (unbeaten 23) and opener Reeza Hendricks (29 not out) stitched an unbroken 55-run second-wicket stand to take their side home.

During the contest, the South Africans achieved some massive highs.

MASSIVE HIGHS FOR PROTEAS

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Most consecutive wins in T20 WCs

8* - South Africa (2024)

8 - Australia (2022-2024)

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7 - England (2010-2012)

7 - India (2012-2014)

South Africa’s longest winning streaks in T20Is

8* - in 2024

7 - in 2009

7 - in 2021

Biggest win for SA in T20 WCs (in terms of wickets)

10 wickets vs Zimbabwe, Hambantota, 2012

9 wickets vs Afghanistan, Tarouba, 2024

67 balls - It also became SA's biggest win in terms of balls remaining in T20Is, bettering 51 balls against Pakistan in Johannesburg in 2007. 

Also read: South Africa storm into maiden T20 World Cup final with massive win over Afghanistan

HUGE LOWS FOR THE AFGHANS

Lowest totals by full-member teams in T20 WC history

55 - England vs West Indies, Dubai, 2021

56 - Afghanistan vs South Africa, Tarouba, 2024*

60 - New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Chattogram, 2014

70 - Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Kolkata, 2016

Lowest total for Afghanistan in T20Is

56 vs South Africa, Tarouba, 2024*

72 vs Bangladesh, Mirpur, 2014

80 vs South Africa, Bridgetown, 2010

80 vs England, Colombo, 2012

Lowest totals vs South Africa in T20Is

56 - Afghanistan, Tarouba, 2024*

77 - Sri Lanka, New York, 2024

80 - Afghanistan, Bridgetown, 2010

67 -- This also became the biggest defeat margin for Afghanistan in terms of balls remaining in T20Is.

SA will face the winner of the second semifinal between defending champions England and India on Thursday (June 27) in Guyana, in the final on Saturday (June 29) in Barbados.