T20 World Cup: Proteas through to first-ever World Cup final in fine style

The Proteas remain unbeaten at the T20 World Cup as they took advantage of a lively pitch to steamroll Afghanistan under lights in Tarouba.

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Afghanistan – who upset the applecart when they defeated Australia on their way to their first semi-final – won the toss and elected to bat.

However, it ended up being a good toss to lose for South Africa captain Aiden Markram. With the tricky surface providing ample assistance to the pacemen, the Proteas quicks took aim.

Marco Jansen struck first in the opening over, nicking off Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck. The lanky left-armer picked up another in his second over, cleaning up Gulbadin Naib with a superb inswinger.

Recognising the inconsistent surface, the men in green and gold went to work. Kagiso Rabada picked up two wickets in his opening over, sending stumps cartwheeling and Afghanistan teetering at 20/4.

Jansen then got his third wicket when Nangeyalia Kharote gloved the ball down leg, leaving a simple catch for Quinton de Kock.

Paceman Anrich Nortje joined the party as Azmatullah Omarzai looked to be aggressive, holing out in the deep. Together with legspinner Tabraiz Shamsi, the duo swept up the tail, with Shamsi picking up 3/6 in only 11 balls to dismiss Afghanistan for just 56.

In the chase, conditions were not easy. The Afghan seamers enjoyed early success, with the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Fazalhap Farooqi clean-bowling an advancing de Kock in his second over.

Unfortunately, that was the end of their celebrations.

While the ball hooped and zipped, Reeza Hendricks and Markram stood firm. The pair accumulated some hard-earned runs to get the Proteas over the line and into their maiden white-ball World Cup final.