Trinidad is the venue for Wednesday's T20 World Cup semi final between South Africa and this years surprise package, Afghanistan
The winner of this match will take on the victor of India's clash with England in the second semi final which will be staged in Guyana on Thursday. Barbados is the venue for the final which takes place on Saturday.
Let's take in an outright betting update to win the tournament from Sportingbet.
India 5/4
South Africa 2/1
England 7/2
Afghanistan 9/1
South Africa v Afghanistan (Trinidad)
South Africa
The Proteas habit of coming through tight finishes to matches continued in their final Super 8 match against West Indies in Antigua earlier this week. They came out on top by 3 wickets in a match where the run chase was reduced to 17 overs and the margin of the DLS victory was 3 wickets. Shamsi with 3/27 was the most successful of the Proteas bowlers as WI were restricted to 135/8 in the full 20 overs. Conditions changed and and the Proteas got in front of the DLS target but wickets began to tumble before they got over the line with 5 balls to spare.
This will be the Proteas first T20 World Cup since 2014 and they come into it with a 100% record. Earlier Super 8 matches include a thrilling 7 run win over England in St. Lucia where they defended 163/6 where Quinton de Kock (65 off 38) and Miller (43 off 28) stood out. They also beat the USA by 18 runs, posting 194/4 with de Kock top scoring with 74 and Markram made 46.
Pool matches delivered wins against Sri Lanka (6 wickets), Netherlands (4 wickets), Bangladesh (4 runs) and Nepal (1 run).
Afghanistan
Afghanistan clinched their semi final spot with an 8 run (DLS) victory over Bangladesh in St. Vincent on Monday. Afghan posted just 115/5 (Gurbaz 43) in the full 20 overs but the game was reduced to 19 overs a side and Naveen-ul-Haq (4/26) and Rashid Khan (4/23) were instrumental in keeping Bangladesh just out of touching distance.
The platform for a semi final berth had been laid with a 21 run victory over Australia in their second S8 match. Gurbaz (60) and opening partner Zadran (51) top scored in their bat first total of 148/6 and Gulbadin Naib (4/20) and Naveen-ul-Haq (3/20) strangled the Australian run chase and they were bowled out for 127.
Afghanistan's 47 run loss to India in their first Super 8 match saw Rashid Khan (3/26) and Fazalhaq Farooqi (3/33) in the wickets but India still posted 181/8. The chase was quickly in trouble and they were all out for 134.
Afghanistan won their first 3 pool matches against New Zealand, Uganda and PNG but they lost heavily to West Indies.
The Betting
At the time of writing South Africa are trading at 1 / 3 to win the game and Afghanistan are 2/1
Price boosts include Stubbs and Miller to hit 5+ sixes combined at 4/1 from 11/4 and de Kock to make a 50 at 3/1 from 1.95/1
Prices subject to change
The Verdict
This is a golden opportunity for the Proteas to reach the final but they come up against a dangerous underdog who's top order and spinners can be red hot.
I'm with the bowlers here and will take Rabada and Rashid Khan to take 2 or more wickets a piece.
Bets: Rabada to take 2+ wickets was 0.87/1 now 12/10 with Sportingbet
Rashid Khan to take 2+ wickets was 13/10 now 1.75/1 with Sportingbet
More tips are available on this dedicated T20 World Cup thread on our discussion forum
