Ahmedabad, Feb 11 (NationPress) In a thrilling Group D showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa and Afghanistan engaged in an exhilarating match during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The contest reached a dramatic double super over after two electrifying innings, ultimately resulting in a hard-fought victory for the Proteas.

Winning the toss, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan chose to field, hoping for their inaugural tournament victory. The early morning conditions favored bowlers, and Afghanistan exploited this advantage, restricting South African batters effectively in the opening overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi drew first blood, dismissing South African captain Aiden Markram with a crafty slower ball.

However, the momentum shifted as Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton formed a potent partnership, amassing 116 runs in just 61 balls, turning the tide for South Africa. De Kock reached a stylish fifty, scoring 59 off 41 balls, while Rickleton displayed explosive form with a remarkable 61 runs off only 28 deliveries, including four sixes and five fours.

Rashid managed to halt their scoring by removing both de Kock and Rickleton in quick succession, but contributions from Dewald Brevis (23) and David Miller (20 not out) propelled South Africa to a challenging total of 187/6.

In response, Afghanistan began their innings with a bang, led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who struck two fours and three sixes, racing to 50 runs in just four overs. South Africa countered with three quick wickets, as Lungi Ngidi dismissed both Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib, while Kagiso Rabada took out Sediqullah Atal, reducing Afghanistan from 51/0 to 52/3.

Gurbaz continued his aggressive batting, reaching a fifty in just 26 balls, hitting seven sixes and four fours. By the halfway mark, Afghanistan was at 93/3, maintaining pressure on the Proteas. George Linde eventually ended Gurbaz's explosive innings, but Azmatullah Omarzai (22) and Rashid Khan (20) kept the chase alive.

As the match entered the final over, Afghanistan required 13 runs to secure victory. Kagiso Rabada's

In the first super over, Afghanistan batted first, with Azmatullah and Gurbaz scoring an impressive 17 runs off South Africa's Linde and Ngidi, highlighted by Azmat's towering six. South Africa responded with Dewald Brevis hitting a massive six off Farooqi, and Tristan Stubbs clearing the boundary, leveling the super over and forcing a second.

In the second super over, South Africa maintained their confidence as Miller and Stubbs set a daunting target for Afghanistan. Stubbs began aggressively, hitting a six, followed by a single to keep the strike with Miller. Miller then dominated, hitting two massive sixes, and South Africa posted 23 runs, leaving Afghanistan needing 24 to win.

Rashid sent out Gurbaz and Mohammad Nabi to chase the total, but Keshav Maharaj bowled brilliantly. Nabi fell early, leaving Gurbaz to take on the challenge alone. The Afghan opener put on a spectacular display, hitting three consecutive sixes, but Maharaj remained composed, trapping Gurbaz on the final ball and sealing a remarkable victory for South Africa.

This match concluded an extraordinary contest that featured two super overs, outstanding performances from Gurbaz, Miller, and Stubbs, and an unforgettable display of tension and skill, marking it as one of the most memorable T20 matches in World Cup history.

Brief Scores-

South Africa 187/6 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickleton 61, Quinton de Kock 59; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-41, Rashid Khan 2-28) beat Afghanistan 187/10 in 19.4 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84, Azmatullah Omarzai 22; Lungi Ngidi 3-26, Keshav Maharaj 1-27) in super overs.

1st Super Over- Afghanistan 17/0 (Azmatullah Omarzai 16*, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 1*; Lungi Ngidi 0-17) tied with South Africa 17/1 (Tristan Stubbs 10*, Dewald Brevis 6; Fazalhaq Farooqi 1-17)

2nd Super Over- South Africa 23/0 (David Miller 16*, Tristan Stubbs 7*) beat Afghanistan 19/2 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 18, Keshav Maharaj 2-19)