South Africa are into the final of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup for the first-ever following a nine-wicket drubbing of Afghanistan in Trinidad & Tobago.

Afghanistan elected to bat first in the first semi-final, but were bowled out for a mere 56-runs with Marco Jansen and Tabraiz Shamsi each taking three-wickets.

Azmatullah Omarzai was the top-scorer for the Afghans with 10-runs, while South Africa bowled 13 extras.

On a difficult batting surface, the Proteas chased down the target in just 8.5 overs with Reeza Hendricks scoring 29 not out, while the captain Aiden Markram scored an unbeaten 23.

Following the game the captain Aiden Markram said that it took a massive squad effort to get into the final.

“It feels good - it's a massive squad effort,” said Aiden Markram who captained South Africa to the U19 Cricket World Cup title in 2014.

“I’m really chuffed for us to have one more crack at lifting that trophy. We’re fortunate to have lost that toss - we also would've batted.

“The bowlers got it in the right areas and kept it really simple in these conditions. It was quite tough for batters, but we knew it was a matter of partnership. We had a bit of luck and managed to get a bit of a partnership.

“There are a lot of people waking up back at home in South Africa with a little bit more grey hair, but this win will be more comforting for them.

“We've never been in a final before, but there's a lot of belief. It takes a full squad to put together a really good game of cricket.”

On Thursday afternoon at 16:30 the defending champions England will face India in the second semi-final in Guyana.

The final will be played on Saturday in Barbados and is scheduled to start at 16:30.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport