5 lowest totals in Men's T20 World Cup semi-finals ft. AFG vs SA in 2024
Afghanistan had a tough day at work when they faced South Africa in the first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup at Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. After winning the toss, Rashid Khan decided to bat first but things didn't go as planned as the Afghan side was bowled out for 56 runs in 11.5 overs.
Not a single Afghanistan batter was able to adapt to the conditions as South African bowlers ripped through their batting order. Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi took three wickets each. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabda and Anrich Nortje bagged two wickets each as Afghanistan were bowled out for the lowest team total in a T20 World Cup semi-final.
In response, the Proteas faced no issues, as they won the match by nine wickets with 67 balls remaining, qualifying for their first-ever World Cup final (T20 or ODI). Also, this was the eighth consecutive win for Aiden Markram's side, as they became the first finalist of the tournament. They await the winner of the second semi-final between India and England.
Meanwhile, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 56, in this article, we will look at the top five lowest totals in the men’s T20 World Cup semi-finals.
#5 Pakistan vs South Africa in 2009 (149 runs)
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the first semi-final of the 2009 T20 World Cup played in Nottingham. The Men in Green lost Shahziab Hasan early, but Shahid Afridi was on fire. The Pakistani all-rounder scored 51 runs off 34 balls as the Men in Green finished at 149/4 in their 20 overs.
In response, Jacques Kallis (64) and Jean-Paul Duminy (44) fought hard, but it was the Pakistani bowlers who held their nerves to get over the line. Shahid Afridi led the way as he picked up two wickets, with the Proteas falling short by seven runs. Pakistan then defeated Sri Lanka in the final to lift their first T20 World Cup trophy.
#4 New Zealand vs Pakistan in 2007 (143 runs)
The Black Caps faced Pakistan in the first semi-final of the 2007 T20 World Cup at Cape Town. Batting first, many Kiwi batters got good starts but none was able to convert them into big innings as the Black Caps scored 143 runs. Meanwhile, Umar Gul took three wickets for Pakistan.
In response, Imran Nazir led the way for Pakistan with his brilliant innings of 59. Pakistan won the match by six wickets with seven balls remaining. However, they lost the final to arch-rivals India.
#3 Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in 2012 (139 runs)
Sri Lanka took on Pakistan in the first semi-final of the 2012 T20 World Cup in Colombo. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. Mahela Jayawardene (42) led the way on a slowish, spinning track as Sri Lanka put up a fighting total of 139 runs.
In response, Mohammad Hafeez played well for his 42 runs. In the end, it was Umar Akmal who fought hard as he remained unbeaten by 29 runs, but it wasn’t enough as the Men in Green lost wickets at regular intervals, falling short by 16 runs. Rangana Herath took three wickets for Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka lost the final against the West Indies.
#2 Sri Lanka vs England in 2010 (128 runs)
Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in the first semi-final of the 2010 T20 World Cup played at Gros Islet. However, things didn’t go in their favor as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Angelo Mathews (58) was the lone striker, and the Lankan side scored 128 runs in 20 overs. Meanwhile, Stuart Broad took two wickets for England.
In response, England faced no issues as they won the match by seven wickets with four overs remaining. England then went on to defeat Australia to lift the 2010 T20 World Cup trophy.
#1 Afghanistan vs South Africa in 2024 (56 runs)
Afghanistan’s first-ever semi-final outing in an ICC event didn't go the way they would have hoped. After opting to bat first, the Afghan players struggled big time and were bowled out for 56 in 11.5 overs. South African bowlers were all over the Afghanistan team.
It was an easy chase for South Africa, as they won by nine wickets with 67 balls remaining. The Proteas are having a dream run in the 2024 T20 World Cup and have qualified for the final.