South Africa defeated Afghanistan to end a bitter semi-final experience and reach their first ever Men’s T20 World Cup final.
The Proteas had lost all seven of their previous semi-finals in all formats of the World Cup but in Trinidad they dismissed Afghanistan for 56 in 11.5 overs on a difficult pitch to record a nine-wicket win.
Marco Jansen dismissed the tournament’s leading scorer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had guided Afghanistan to a dramatic first semi-final appearance, and the score soon became 28-6.
Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi dominated the back-end with 3-6 and Jansen finished with 3-16, but the state of the surface will be an issue in such a showcase event.
This resulted in excessive seam movement and bounce for the pace bowlers, which was dangerous at times and made South Africa struggle to chase down the ball.
Quinton de Kock was run out after being hit on the body, but there was little pressure to score straight away and the Proteas were able to finish the chase in 8.5 overs.
They now remain unbeaten and advance to Saturday’s final in Barbados, looking to win their first World Cup title.
They will face either England or India. The second semi-final will be played in Guyana on Thursday at 3:30pm BST.