"Afghanistan still suffering a bit of cramp" - Twitter reacts as Rashid Khan and co. bundle out for 56 in 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final
Afghanistan were rattled by the South African bowling attack in the first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup to be bowled out for a paltry 56. The Rashid Khan-led side could only bat 11.5 overs at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Wednesday, June 26.
The Proteas were quick to break the in-form opening partnership of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, and their job just got easier after that. Jansen dismissed Gurbaz for a duck in the first over and picked up three wickets in the powerplay. Rabada also struck twice in his first over to leave Afghanistan struggling at 28-5 inside the powerplay.
South Africa did not take their foot off the pedal as the bowling onslaught continued. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi took over from Jansen and Rabada to knock over the rest of the batters and complete a historic bowling display.
Azmatullah Omarzai was the sole batter who got to double figures, and it is safe to say that the viewers were not pleased with that batting display. Here are some of the reactions on social media:
"They have no other batters than openers" - one fan remarked
"Afghanistan still suffering a bit of cramp" - former Australian bowler Brad Hogg tweeted
"Tragic ending to Afghanistan’s world cup end" - another tweet read
"We were not expecting that" - Kagiso Rabada on Afghanistan being bowled out for 56
Afghanistan made it to the history books on a negative note as their total marked the lowest ever posted by a team in a T20 World Cup semi-final. It is also their lowest-ever score in a T20 International as well.
"We were not expecting that. We just wanted to hit our straps in this game, like we have been doing. We felt we needed to continue in that vein and today, it has just happened for us. It is obviously moving around quite a bit. We got it in the right areas, bowled with energy and reaped the rewards," Rabada said during the innings break
The winner of the first semi-final will face either India or England in the finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup on Saturday, June 29.