South Africa finally managed to break their semi-final curse after defeating Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final. Aiden Markram did a tremendous job leading the Proteas to the Final, winning all their games on their spectacular journey.
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They were in a commanding position in the final too, needing just 31 runs to win in the last five overs of the game. However, it was the magical trio of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh who pulled off a comeback for the ages to win the trophy for the Men in Blue.
They were just 31 runs away from a historic win in Barbados, but it was Rohit Sharma’s men who were destined for the title.
India vs South Africa T20 World Cup Final: Scorecard
India were off to a tricky start, losing three important wickets in Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav. It was Virat Kohli and Axar Patel who dragged India back into the game. Building a fantastic 72-run partnership. Towards the backend of the innings, Shivam Dube provided much-needed flair to help India reach a score of 176.
In reply, South Africa lost two wickets but De Kock and Stubbs held the innings for the Proteas. Later on stepped in Klaasen who took the game from India with a brilliant half-century, or so it seemed. Hardik Pandya, Jasorit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh’s magical trio pulled the game back for India back from the jaws of defeat, defending 30 runs in the last 5 overs to hand a 7-run win to the Indians.
- India - 176/7 (Virat Kohli 76, Axar Patel 47, Anrich Nortje 2/26)
- South Africa - 169/7 (Heinrich Klaasen 52, Quinton de Kock 39, Jasprit Bumrah 2/18 )
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Aiden Markram's 100% record as skipper in ICC tournaments ends
Until Saturday's final Markram had never lost a match while captaining the South African team in ICC competitions. Be it leading the youth team at the U19 World Cup, to filling in as a make-shift captain at the 2023 ODI World Cup, to helping the Proteas win eight matches in a row in the T20 World Cup 2024, the star player never lost a game.
However, the streak finally ended on June 29, 2024, when India beat them by 7 runs to lift the trophy.
South Africa’s journey to the Final
South Africa kicked off their campaign brilliantly, decimating the Sri Lankan batting lineup to win the match in a fairly one-sided encounter. Following that win, South Africa went on to win against Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal to qualify for the Super 8s
In a competitive group consisting of England, West Indies and USA, the Proteas won all the three games including thrilling wins against England and West Indies to book a spot in the semi-final of the competition.
The semis saw them steamrolling over the Afghans to make it to the Final, wherein they were at last defied by the Indian juggernaut. Despite the loss, Markram has done a tremendous job with the South African team and it's only an upward journey for the 29-year-old from this point.
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