South Africa became the second team after England to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final with a nervy three-wicket victory (DLS method) over West Indies in their last Super 8 match in Antigua on Monday (June 24).
Asked to bat first, the hosts posted a modest total of 135/8 on the board. All-rounder Roston Chase was the top scorer with 42-ball 52 while opener Kyle Mayers contributed 35 off 34 balls.
Left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was the pick of the bowlers for South Africa, claiming three wickets by conceding 27 runs in his four overs.
In reply, the Proteas got off to a bad start as they lost their openers - Reeza Hendricks (0) and Quinton de Kock (12) – in the first two overs. At this moment, the rain also interrupted play and South Africa were set a revised target of 123 in 17 overs.
After the rain break, the likes of Reeza Hendricks (29 off 27), Heinrich Klaasen (22 off 10) and Aiden Markram (18 off 15) played handy knocks with the bat but they failed to seal the chase. David Miller (4) and Keshav Maharaj (2) got out in single digits as South Africa found themselves in a spot of bother at 110/7.
Roston Chase (3/12 in 3 overs), Alzarri Joseph (2/25 in 4 overs) and Andre Russell (2/29 in 4 overs) bowled brilliantly to induce South Africa’s collapse.
Amid the tense situation, Marco Jansen rose to the occasion and produced a brilliant cameo of 14-ball 21* to take the Proteas over the line with five deliveries to spare.
Here’s how the cricket fraternity reacted after South Africa edged past West Indies to make it to the final-four stage.
Here are the reactions: