Afghanistan braced for 'massive' T20 World Cup semi-final

Afghanistans remarkable journey at the T20 World Cup 2024 will take another massive step forward on Wednesday when they face South Africa in the first semifinal at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba It is an intriguing encounter which will produce a firsttime finalist to take on either 2007 winners India or defending champions England who meet in the second semifinal at Guyanas Providence Stadium on Thursday Celebrations in Afghanistan after Mondays Super Eight win over Bangladesh had ensured their passage at the expense of Australia were quickly closed down by the Taliban authorities But there may well be many more people on the streets if Rashid Khan can lead his team to the final with a win over the Proteas I think the semifinal is going to be a massive massive inspiration for the youngsters back home in Afghanistan said skipper Rashid Its an unbelievable feeling It is appropriate the Afghans will play in a stadium bearing Laras name because as Rashid said the former West Indies great was the only person who mentioned Afghanistan will be in semis I think when you get the kind of great great statements from a legend as a team I think it gives you lots of energy as well said Rashid We are capable but as long we keep the things very simple and I think in the whole competition so far we kept the thing simpleAlso ReadSouth Africa ignore nearmisses with eye on T20 World Cup finalSouth Africa won the 1998 Champions Trophy but have a history of stumbling in the semifinals of previous white ball World Cups They made it to the final four this time with seven wins in seven matches but they have been pushed to the limit beating England Bangladesh and Nepal by seven runs four runs and one run respectively Obviously most of the games have been a lot closer than we would have personally liked but the amazing thing is that this new Proteas team always seems to get over the line said leftarm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi Weve been put under huge pressure in every single game that weve played and the boys have managed to find a way to win no matter what the situation is no matter how close the game is Thats really pleasing for us as a unitIndia meanwhile have not won a major ICC competition since lifting the 2013 Champions Trophy increasing the pressure on skipper Rohit Sharma to deliver for the pretournament favouritesAlso ReadTravis Head topples Suryakumar Yadav to secure top spot in latest T20I rankingsThe 37yearold opener was calmness personified however as he slammed 92 off 41 balls on Monday to lead the charge against the Australians resulting in a 24run win and a modicum of revenge for their defeat to the same opponents in last years 50over World Cup on home soil Rohit said afterwards that India dont want to do anything different in the semifinal againt England We want to play the same way understand what the individuals need to do in a given situation and play freely So far weve been doing that consistently and in the semifinals we have to try and do the same thing Nothing changes for us we want to focus on what we can do as a team and take the game on The English champions in 2010 and 2022 made a sluggish start to the tournament with a loss to the Australians in the group stage followed by another defeat by the Proteas in the Super Eight But they have shown the ability to move up a gear when the situation demands We have to do our homework and make sure we plan well and try to execute and then make sure we get to the final said Chris Jordan who took a hattrick in their last game a crushing win over USA The Surrey allrounder remained laidback about the prospect of facing the strength of the Indians You have to beat the best at some point to win the tournament he said The only dampener to the semifinal action is the prospect of rain In the case of either match being washed out the team that finished higher in their respective Super Eight groups will proceed That would mean an IndiaSouth Africa finalWith agency inputs