Ahmedabad – The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 delivered one of its most unforgettable nights as South Africa vs Afghanistan turned into a breathtaking battle decided only after two Super Overs. In a contest filled with tension, momentum swings, and high-pressure moments, South Africa ultimately secured victory in the second Super Over at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The 13th match of the tournament had everything cricket fans could ask for-explosive batting, clutch bowling, late drama, and nerves of steel. Long after the final ball was bowled, supporters were still processing what had unfolded in one of the most gripping encounters of the competition.
Match Overview
| Match | South Africa vs Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| South Africa Score | 187/6 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Score | 177/9 (20 overs) |
| Result | Match tied; South Africa won in second Super Over |
South Africa Post Competitive Total
After being sent in to bat, South Africa built a solid innings to reach 187 for six in their 20 overs. The foundation was laid by the top order, with captain Aiden Markram playing a composed yet attacking knock.
Quinton de Kock provided fluency at the start, rotating strike effectively while punishing loose deliveries. In the middle overs, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs accelerated the scoring rate, ensuring the Proteas finished strongly.
Afghanistan’s bowling unit, led by Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi, tried to keep things under control with timely wickets. However, South Africa’s balanced batting depth allowed them to maintain pressure throughout the innings.
South Africa Batting Highlights
| Batter | Key Contribution |
|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | Quick start in powerplay |
| Aiden Markram | Captain’s steady knock |
| David Miller | Late acceleration |
| Tristan Stubbs | Impactful finishing cameo |
A target of 188 in a World Cup fixture is never straightforward, especially under lights in front of a packed stadium.
Afghanistan Fight Back in Run Chase
Chasing 188, Afghanistan showed maturity and determination. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran began cautiously, ensuring no early damage against South Africa’s pace attack.
As the innings progressed, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi contributed crucial runs to keep Afghanistan within touching distance of the required rate. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, the Afghan side refused to surrender.
The match reached its most intense phase in the final over.
Last Over Tension Changes the Game
With 13 runs required off the final six deliveries and only one wicket remaining, the pressure was enormous. South Africa handed the ball to Kagiso Rabada.
In a dramatic twist, Rabada bowled two no-balls, handing Afghanistan valuable extra deliveries and free-hit opportunities. The equation suddenly shifted.
Afghanistan capitalized on the errors and managed to level the scores at 177, forcing the contest into a Super Over — a rare occurrence in World Cup cricket.
First Super Over: Still No Winner
The first Super Over saw both teams matching each other shot for shot. Big hits were answered by disciplined bowling, and neither side could gain a decisive advantage.
With the scores tied again, the match proceeded to a second Super Over — an extraordinary scenario that added even more drama to an already unforgettable night.
Second Super Over: Maharaj Makes the Difference
South Africa batted first in the second Super Over and posted a challenging 24-run target.
Afghanistan needed a near-perfect response. However, Keshav Maharaj stepped up brilliantly for South Africa.
- Maharaj struck early, dismissing Mohammad Nabi without conceding a run.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz responded aggressively with consecutive boundaries.
- A wide delivery briefly revived Afghanistan’s hopes.
- On the final ball, Gurbaz was dismissed, sealing South Africa’s victory.
The Proteas celebrated a hard-fought triumph, while Afghanistan were left heartbroken after coming so close.
Playing XIs
Afghanistan XI
| Player |
|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
| Ibrahim Zadran |
| Gulbadin Naib |
| Sediqullah Atal |
| Darwish Rasooli |
| Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Mohammad Nabi |
| Rashid Khan (c) |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| Noor Ahmad |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi |
South Africa XI
| Player |
|---|
| Aiden Markram (c) |
| Quinton de Kock (wk) |
| Ryan Rickelton |
| Dewald Brevis |
| David Miller |
| Tristan Stubbs |
| Marco Jansen |
| George Linde |
| Kagiso Rabada |
| Keshav Maharaj |
| Lungi Ngidi |
Head-to-Head Record
The historical numbers still favor the Proteas in the South Africa vs Afghanistan rivalry.
| Matches Played | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 |
Afghanistan are yet to defeat South Africa in T20 internationals, though their performance in this match showed how close the gap has become.
Context from 2024 World Cup
The two sides previously met in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal, where South Africa bowled Afghanistan out for just 56 runs and secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory.
In contrast, this latest clash demonstrated Afghanistan’s rapid development as a competitive T20 unit capable of challenging top-tier teams.
What This Result Means
Afghanistan had already suffered a defeat against New Zealand earlier in the tournament. Another narrow loss now puts pressure on their campaign and complicates their chances of reaching the Super 8 stage.
South Africa, meanwhile, gain crucial momentum and confidence from such a high-pressure victory. Winning tight matches often defines a team’s journey in global tournaments.
A Night That Defined the Tournament
The South Africa vs Afghanistan match at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be remembered as one of the tournament’s finest encounters. From Rabada’s dramatic final over to Maharaj’s match-winning composure, every phase of the game delivered intense drama.
For South Africa, it was a victory built on resilience and calm execution under pressure. For Afghanistan, it was a reminder that they are now capable of pushing cricket’s established powers to the brink.
As the tournament moves forward, this double Super Over thriller will stand out as a shining example of why T20 cricket continues to captivate fans around the world.
