The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the list of match officials for the T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals on June 25. After a dramatic last Super 8 game, Afghanistan emerged victorious against Bangladesh and knocked out Australia to make it to their first-ever World Cup semifinal. Afghanistan will take on an unbeaten South Africa whereas India will go up against defending champions England in their respective knockout clashes.
Officials for SA vs AFG
In the first semifinal at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad, on-field umpires are Richard Illingworth and Nitin Menon. Richard Kettleborough and Ahsan Raza are third and fourth umpires respectively whereas the legendary West Indies cricketer Richie Richardson will be the match referee.
Officials for IND vs ENG
In the second semifinal at Providence Stadium, Guyana on June 27, Chris Gaffaney and Rodney Tucker will be the on-field umpires. Joel Wilson and Paul Reiffel will be third and fourth umpire respectively whereas former New Zealand cricketer Jeffrey Crowe will be the match referee.
What if rain causes washout in first semifinal?
While this is Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan’s first-ever semifinal, Aiden Markram’s South Africa have made their place in the last four for the first time since the 2014 edition of the marquee event. The pitch in Trinidad is expected to help the spinners. Both the teams have quality spinners in their ranks. The first semifinal is likely to be another low-scoring encounter. There is a reserve day for the semifinal in case rain causes a washout.
SA vs AFG head-to-head
Afghanistan have faced South Africa in T20 World Cups twice. They have faced comprehensive defeats on both occasions. In the last two editions, they have not locked horns.
No reserve day for IND vs ENG
The India versus England game will be a rematch of the 2022 edition. The two teams will play each other in second consecutive semifinal. There is no reserve day for the second semifinal but an additional 250 minutes have been added to complete the match.
IND vs ENG head-to-head
In the last edition, Jos Buttler-led England beat Rohit Sharma’s India comprehensively by 10 wickets to advance to the final against Pakistan. Before the semifinal clash of 2022, India have faced England three times. India beat England in two of these games and lost a close on at Lord's. In 2012, India beat England by a massive margin of 90 runs when Harbhajan Singh bagged a four-wicket haul. The first clash took place in the inaugural edition where Yuvraj Singh smashed the iconic six sixes and India won the high-scoring contest.
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