‘The whole event is biased towards India…so unfair to others’: Michael Vaughan slams ICC for strict scheduling of Afghanistan semi-final

From yesterday’s sheer jubilation to today’s shock, Afghanistan experienced a disastrous change in fortunes over the past 48 hours, as the team slumped to a historic total of 56 points and suffered a 9-wicket defeat in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final against South Africa today.

But was there perhaps more to this story than luck and momentum? Well, that’s what former England skipper Michael Vaughan thinks.

Following Afghanistan’s collapse, Vaughan spoke to X to share his thoughts on the perilous schedule for the Afghan semi-final.

But Vaughan’s criticisms don’t stop there. In fact, he went further to say that the choice of venue for the first semi-final was far from fair to the Afghans, and said that the ICC only seemed to favour the Indian cricket team and its best interests. costs.

While it is true that the venue or even the timing of the match could have been different, it is no secret that the Indian team was bound to be given the showpiece encounter at a more commercially attractive time slot. (according to IST), as India take on England this evening later in the evening.

But whatever might have, could have and should have been, what happened today in Trinidad and Tobago is irreparable: a total demolition of the Afghanistan team by the Proteas.

Afghanistan were bowled out for a dismal total of 56 runs in 11.5 overs as the likes of Jansen, Shamsi, Rabada and Nortje ran riot on them in the first innings.

It is difficult to find anything positive for the spirited Afghans, who were mercilessly massacred by the South African bowling team, who in turn were bowling and inflicting misery on the Afghan batting line-up.

The pace trio of Marco Jansen (3/16), Kagiso Rabada (2/14) and Anrich Nortje (2/7) shared seven wickets while spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (3/6) took three.

And on the other hand, except for the initial pressure from Fazalhaq Farooqi, who removed opener Quinton de Kock early, nothing could stop South Africa, who under the leadership of Markram and Reeza Hendricks, reached the total in just 8.5 overs.