South Africa ended their run of semi-final heartache by thrashing Afghanistan to reach their first men’s T20 World Cup final.
The Proteas, who had failed to progress from all seven of their previous World Cup semi-finals across formats, dismissed Afghanistan for 56 in 11.5 overs on a difficult pitch on their way to a nine-wicket win in Trinidad.
Marco Jansen removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the tournament’s leading run-scorer in Afghanistan’s dramatic run to their first semi-final, and the score was soon 28-6.
Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi mopped up the tail with 3-6 and Jansen finished with 3-16 but questions will be asked about the state of the surface for such a showpiece event.
It offered excessive seam movement and bounce to the pace bowlers, at times dangerously so, with South Africa also struggling in their chase.
Quinton de Kock was bowled having been hit on the body but, with little pressure to score quickly, the Proteas were able to complete their chase in 8.5 overs.
They now progress to Saturday’s final in Barbados unbeaten as they look to win a World Cup for the first time.
They will play England or India, who meet in the second semi-final on Thursday in Guyana at 15:30 BST.