T20 World Cup semi-final- South Africa vs Afghanistan tips and predictions: Quinton De Kock and Rashid Khan to star in thrilling semi-final

The T20 World Cup will have one first time finalist after Afghanistan sealed their place in the last four with a win over Bangladesh to set up a semi-final meeting with South Africa.

Neither side have reached the showpiece event before but South Africa are the team that has more big tournament experience and come into this match on a winning streak.

South Africa have found a way to keep on winning even through some very scrappy affairs in the initial group stage and they appear to be comfortable under pressure.

The Proteas needed to win their final Super 8s match to confirm their place in the last four and knocked out hosts West Indies in the process ensuring they secured wins over both co-hosts of the tournament

Afghanistan claimed a shock win over Australia in the Super 8 phase of the competition and then beat Bangladesh in a nail-biter to ensure that they booked a semi-final date with South Africa.

This T20 World Cup semi-final is set to be staged at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad; a ground where Afghanistan beat Papua New Guinea earlier in the competition.

Meanwhile, South Africa prepare to play their maiden T20I in Tarouba having not featured in a match at the venue in this tournament.

Any score of over 130 will present some challenge to the side batting second while the record chase at the ground was just 133, with the West Indies beating England to establish that record in December 2023.

The England defeat was the only time that a side who has posted over 130 batting first has lost at the Brian Lara stadium, so defending seems like the best option for the toss winners here. 

Spin can be very tough to get away at this venue with Windies bowlers Akeal Hosein (left-arm spin) and Gudakesh Motie (Right-arm leg-spin) both enjoying success at this venue, however there is usually something in it for the quick bowlers too.

The initial launch in the powerplay at this ground can often be muted by the taking of wickets while teams score a high percentage of runs at the death when they have wickets in hand.

 

South Africa vs Afghanistan: Suggested bets

South Africa have relied heavily on Quinton de Kock to give them good starts and he has had a starring role whenever they have put a decent total on the board. De Kock is a sound punt to finish as the Proteas top-scorer in this match.

While the early tournament was dominated by the Proteas pacemen, the latter stages have seen the spinners come to the fore with Tabraiz Shamsi the hero in their final Super 8s match while Keshav Maharaj has been tough to score off. Shamsi looks to be South Africa's biggest wicket threat.

Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz is the tournament's top runscorer so far and has also been remarkably consistent in a tournament that hasn't been easy on the batters. Gurbaz will need to come to the party again if Afghanistan are to do well.

Look no further than Rashid Khan for Afghanistan's star bowler as he continues to be their great threat with the ball. Even the best in the world treat Khan with the greatest of respect and few will opt to take him on.

 

Predictions

Quinton de Kock to top score for South Africa

Rashid Khan to take the most wickets for Afghanistan

Tabraiz Shamsi to take the most wickets for South Africa

Rahmanullah Gurbaz to lead the scoring for Afghanistan