During the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash against South Africa on Monday, West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell surpassed former cricketer Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker for the Caribbeans in the history of the T20 WC. In a fine show of nerves and calm, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada defied heroic spells by Roston Chase and Alzarri Joseph to extend their unbeaten run in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup to seven matches and reached the semifinals with a three-wicket win over West Indies at Antigua on Monday.

Russell bowled exceptionally well against the Proteas where the all-rounder managed to scalp two wickets in his spell of four overs where he conceded 19 runs.

With these two wickets, the right-arm seamer took his total count in the T20 WC history to 29 which is the highest so far by any West India bowler. The previous best was held by Bravo who had a total of 27 wickets in the marquee event.

Coming to the match, South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first. West Indies was reduced to 5/2, but an 81-run stand between Kyle Mayers (35 in 34 balls with three fours and two sixes) and Roston Chase (52 in 42 balls, with three fours and two sixes) brought them back in the game. However, Proteas bowlers kept striking at regular intervals after this partnership, restricting WI to 135/8 in their 20 overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi (3/27) was the pick of the bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen, skipper Aiden Markram, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada got a wicket each.

In the run-chase of 136 runs, SA lost two wickets early. Due to the interruption of action by rain, the Proteas were given a new target of 123 runs in 17 overs. At one point, the match was 50-50, with SA at 110/7 in 15.2 overs, despite crucial knocks from Tristan Stubbs (29 in 27 balls, with four boundaries) and Heinrich Klaasen (22 in 10 balls, with three fours and a six). However, Jansen (21*) and Rabada (5*) found boundaries at crucial stages, finishing the chase with five balls and three wickets in hand.

Chase (3/12) was the pick of the bowlers for WI. Alzarri Joseph and Andre Russell also got two wickets.

With this victory, South Africa has ended their Super Eights campaign undefeated, with three wins in three matches. England is the other team to move to the semifinals, with two wins and a loss in three matches. West Indies, the hosts of the competition, have been knocked out, with just a win and two losses to their name in the Super Eights.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) on Tuesday announced the appointment of  West Indies great Dwayne Bravo as the Bowling Consultant of the national team for the T20 World Cup 2024, which will kick off on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies. Bravo is set to join the team during the preparation camp ahead of the marquee event in the Caribbean. Bravo has taken 625 wickets in T20 cricket, making him the current leader in the format. He is also one of the most successful fast-bowling all-rounders in T20 cricket, having amassed around 7000 runs in the format.

“The 40-year-old Bravo was a former right-arm medium-fast bowling all-rounder for West Indies, having played 295 international matches, scoring 6423 runs and picking up 363 wickets. He has also 100 FC, 227 List A and a mammoth 573 T20 caps to his name,” ACB said in an official statement.

Bravo has gained respect and adoration worldwide for his unique blend of cricket and entertainment. He has won multiple titles, including the Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup, IPL, and CPL.

Bravo has played internationally and most recently worked as the Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach during the 2024 Indian Premier League.

In order to get ready for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024, AfghanAtalan has already travelled to St. Kitts and Nevis. They will be supervised by DJ Bravo and the coaching team during a 10-day training camp.

Earlier, ACB announced the 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup which will kick off on June 1.

Star spinner Rashid Khan will lead the squad while Hashmatullah Shahidi who led the team in the previous edition of the tournament has been dropped from the squad. Shahidi made his last appearance in the T20I format in 2022 against Ireland.

The tournament will kick off on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies. Afghanistan have been placed in Group C alongside New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Uganda and the West Indies.

Afghanistan will open their campaign against Uganda on June 4 at the Providence Stadium, Guyana.

Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Rashid Khan (c), Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Fareed Ahmad Malik.

Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai and Saleem Safi.