Afghanistan were bowled out in 11.5 overs, their lowest score in T20, but their highest score was with only one batsman reaching double figures and an extra innings.
The first ball of South Africa’s counterattack rolled all the way to the keeper, the second was floated badly at the same length and hit the body of Quinton de Kock, and South Africa overcame several crises to reduce the total to zero with 67 balls to spare and win their first World Cup semi-final at the seventh attempt.
It was a tough battle for Afghanistan, who reached the semi-finals for the first time after victories in tight matches against Australia and Bangladesh.
Afghanistan could not counter South Africa’s potent attack, with left-armer Marco Jansen picked up five runs for three for 16 in the powerplay. Kagiso Rabada took two in his first over and leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi rounded off the match with three for six off 11 balls.
Afghanistan’s Super Eight final finished late on Monday night, with the team only arriving in Trinidad 24 hours before the semi-final. Their flight from St Vincent was delayed by four hours and both teams had only one training session before the match.
“Afghanistan are through to the World Cup semi-finals after their win in St Vincent on Monday night. Our flight to Trinidad was delayed by four hours on Tuesday so there was no time to train or get acclimated to the new venue. I feel this shows a total lack of respect for the players,” Michael Vaughan wrote on social media.
The tournament has been condensed into just five days, between the end of the Super Eights and Saturday’s final in Barbados.
England and India will face off on Thursday in a venue that has not been used for nearly three weeks, after arriving in Guyana with just one day of preparation.
The winning team will then be flown immediately from Guyana to Barbados on a charter flight and will be given one day to prepare for Saturday morning’s final, which begins at 10.30am in Bridgetown.