Afghanistan braced for 'massive' T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa

Afghanistan's remarkable journey at the T20 World Cup will take another "massive" step forward on Wednesday when they face South Africa in the first semi-final at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

Afghanistan braced for 'massive' T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa (Image Source: Google)

Heavyweight contest -

India have not won a major ICC competition since lifting the 2013 Champions Trophy, increasing the pressure on skipper Rohit Sharma to deliver for the pre-tournament favourites.

The 37-year-old opener was calmness personified, however, as he slammed 92 off 41 balls on Monday to lead the charge against the Australians, resulting in a 24-run win and a modicum of revenge for their defeat to the same opponents in last year's 50-over World Cup on home soil.

Rohit said afterwards that India "don't want to do anything different" in the semi-final againt England.

"We want to play the same way, understand what the individuals need to do in a given situation, and play freely.

"So far we've been doing that consistently, and (in the) semi-finals, we have to try and do the same thing. Nothing changes for us, we want to focus on what we can do as a team, and take the game on."

The English, champions in 2010 and 2022, made a sluggish start to the tournament with a loss to the Australians in the group stage followed by another defeat by the Proteas in the Super Eight.

But they have shown the ability to move up a gear when the situation demands.

"We have to do our homework and make sure we plan well and try to execute, and then make sure we get to the final," said Chris Jordan who took a hat-trick in their last game, a crushing win over USA.

The Surrey all-rounder remained laid-back about the prospect of facing the strength of the Indians.

"You have to beat the best at some point to win the tournament," he said.

The only dampener to the semi-final action is the prospect of rain.

In the case of either match being washed out, the team that finished higher in their respective Super Eight groups will proceed. That would mean an India-South Africa final.