The Afghans created history today in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final; however, it may not have been the sort they would have desired as they scored the fewest runs ever in both T20Is and T20 World Cup semifinals.

Afghanistan was destroyed by players like Jansen, Shamsi, Rabada, and Nortje in the first innings, scoring a pitiful 56 runs in 11.5 overs.

Their 56 runs were the lowest ever achieved in a Twenty20 World Cup semi-final and the seventh-lowest total ever in the competition’s history.

To add insult to injury, this was also Afghanistan’s lowest-ever total recorded in T20Is.

It is difficult to find any cons for the courageous Afghans, who were mercilessly butchered by South Africa’s bowling order, which alternated between tormenting and causing suffering to the Afghanistan batting order.

Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3/6) took three wickets, but the speed trio of Marco Jansen (3/16), Kagiso Rabada (2/14) and Anrich Nortje (2/7) split seven wickets between them.

It all began with Marco Jansen, who struck instantly in the first over to eliminate the in-form Gurbaz, and the chips only proceeded to tumble from there forward.

In his subsequent over, Jansen would go on to scalp Gulbadin. The Afghan top-order hitters would then be humiliated by star bowler Rabada, who claimed two wickets in a maiden from his first over.

It was the first time a side had ever lost five wickets in the powerplay in a T20 World Cup semi-final, and Afghanistan found themselves down by five wickets at the conclusion of a dismal 28-5 powerplay.

Afghanistan, without direction, glanced up at Rashid Khan, but he was unable to stop the Proteas, who were now causing more suffering with Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Rashid Khan was killed by Nortje’s speed, which was too fast for anybody to take.

Conversely, Shamsi worked his magic for South Africa and caused problems for Australia. In only two overs, the leggie claimed three wickets to clear the tail and knock AFG out for a record-low 56 runs, the lowest score in T20 World Cup semi-final history.