- Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 281 runs are the most of any batter at the T20 World Cup
- Afghanistan recrd highest opening partnership in five of their seven games
- Recommended bet: Afghanistan highest opening partnership

Afghanistan have reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time, thanks to a first-ever win over Australia in any format that they followed up with a low-scoring victory over Bangladesh to confirm their spot in this first last-four clash.

They take on a South Africa side who have won all seven games they have played at the tournament and who pose a significant threat to Afghanistan’s chances.

The Proteas topped a Super 8 group containing England, the West Indies and the United States and will be looking to win their first-ever cricket World Cup.

Team news

Gulbadin Naib went down with a hamstring concern late on in Afghanistan’s win over Bangladesh, but indications are that it was nothing too serious, so he should feature here.

Indeed, Afghanistan are likely to line up with the same XI as featured in that tense tussle with the Tigers.

Tabraiz Shamsi has been rotated in and out of the South Africa team, but the left-arm spinner took 3/27 against the West Indies last time out so is likely to keep his spot.

The weather looks like it could be a potential issue, with showers forecast for the game.

The stats

Afghanistan’s bowlers have been the big success story of their tournament, they have taken 57 wickets in seven matches, an average of over eight per game.

Fazalhaq Farooqi’s 16 wickets taken is the most of any player at the tournament thus far.

South Africa have four batters, David Miller, Quinton De Kock, Tristan Stubbs and Heinrich Klassen, who have made at least 100 runs from their seven games.

Prediction

Afghanistan's openers, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, have been the dominant force in their batting line-up in this tournament, making 510 runs between them across the seven games. 

They have recorded the highest opening partnership in five of their seven outings, while the Proteas have had the lowest opening stand in four of their seven matches.

South Africa may have the advantage in other aspects of the match-up, but the underdogs look to have a better chance of opening with a big stand, so take Afghanistan to have the highest opening partnership.

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