The South African cricket team has become the first team to enter the finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, today the Proteas defeated Afghanistan in the first semi-final which was played at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago.
It won’t be wrong to say that South Africa crushed Afghanistan in the first semi-final, first they wrapped up the Afghanistan team at the score of 56 runs in 11.5 overs and then they chased the target successfully in 8.5 overs with 9 wickets in hand.
Afghanistan had a great run in the tournament and they were hoping to perform well in the first semi-final as well but the manner in which things turned out, they were left heartbroken.
Jonathan Trott, the head coach of Afghanistan cricket team accepted that his players were outplayed and they were not able to handle the pressure of their first semi-final but he said that he is really proud of his players.
He said, “A lot to process really emotionally, physically, so all new territory for the guys and it all plays its part. I’m sure the guys hopefully learn from this experience. (Learn) what it takes to play international cricket and play against a bowling side like South Africa on a pitch that’s perhaps not conducive to high-scoring. We’ve found ways of winning games, we just couldn’t find a way today.”
He further added, “Obviously it hurts at the moment. We arrived to the ground in high spirits ready to take on a strong South African side and make sure we gave a good account of ourselves. I feel like we haven’t done that today so that’s the most disappointing thing.”
He added that hopefully the performance of the team will inspire the youngsters to take up the sport. In his words, “I hope that we’ve inspired young kids to pick up a bat and a ball and play cricket, and want to play for their nation and hopefully that everybody’s proud of the side.”
Well played, Afghanistan!
