In a crucial Group D clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan and South Africa played out a thrilling tie at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Afghanistan finished on 187 all out after 19.4 overs, chasing a target of 188.
Earlier, South Africa posted a competitive 187/6, thanks to half-centuries from Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61). After the early dismissal of captain Aiden Markram, de Kock and Rickelton added a 114-run partnership off 61 balls before both fell in the same over to Rashid Khan.
Afghanistan’s chase was led by a brilliant Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who scored 84 off 42 balls, including 7 sixes, keeping his team in contention before being dismissed by Keshav Maharaj.
Drama in the Final Over
The match went down to the wire in a chaotic final over bowled by Kagiso Rabada. Afghanistan needed 2 runs off the last 3 balls. Noor Ahmad hit a massive six, but Afghanistan suffered a run-out on the penultimate delivery, tying the scores and sending the game into a Super Over.
First Super Over
Afghanistan: 17/0 off 1 over, with Azmatullah taking strike and Gurbaz supporting.
South Africa: Target 18.
Dewald Brevis started with a 97-metre six but was dismissed by Gurbaz off Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Tristan Stubbs then hit a six off the final ball, tying the Super Over and forcing a second Super Over.
Second Super Over – South Africa Batting
South Africa scored 23 runs in the first over of the second Super Over, with Stubbs smashing a huge six off Azmatullah’s first delivery.
Afghanistan needed 24 runs to win.
Mohammad Nabi failed to make an impact, swinging and missing on the first ball and then mistiming a shot to David Miller at point on the second. Afghanistan were 0/1 after 0.2 overs, needing four sixes off the remaining balls.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz walked in and delivered a spectacular show:
Third ball: Six down the ground – score 12/1 after 0.4 overs.
Fourth ball: Another six over long-on – 18/1, two sixes needed from two balls.
Fifth ball: Massive six over deep midwicket – leaving six required off the final ball.
On the last delivery, Rahmanullah Gurbaz sliced the ball to point, and David Miller completed the catch.
Result: South Africa won in a historic thriller.
Score: Afghanistan – 19/2 in the second Super Over (target 24)
South Africa’s innings
The Proteas’ innings was built around a dominant century partnership between Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton before a late Afghan fightback, led by Rashid Khan, kept the total in check.
Aiden Markram’s stay was brief, as Fazalhaq Farooqi removed the South African captain for 5 in the third over with a well-disguised slower ball. After the early setback, de Kock and Rickelton took control, adding a brisk 114-run stand for the second wicket. Rickelton was the aggressor, smashing 61 off 28 balls, while de Kock anchored the innings with a fluent 59 off 41 deliveries.
The pair especially targeted Noor Ahmad, taking 23 runs off his first over, which included two sixes and two fours, to put South Africa firmly in command. However, Afghanistan clawed their way back through skipper Rashid Khan, who dismissed both set batters in the 13th over to halt the momentum.
Azmatullah Omarzai further dented South Africa’s hopes of crossing 200, picking up Dewald Brevis (23) and Tristan Stubbs (1) in the 18th over. Despite the setbacks, David Miller (20* off 15) and Marco Jansen (16* off 7) provided a late flourish, adding valuable runs in the death overs to push the total to 187/6.
Afghanistan now need 188 runs to secure a crucial win in this must-win Group D encounter, while South Africa will look to defend the total and move closer to qualification for the Super Eight stage.
Captains take at the toss
Winning the toss, Rashid Khan said Afghanistan opted to chase on a fresh surface.
“Fresh wicket and we’re looking forward to chase. Against the big teams in the World Cup, it’s a must-win game for us. Just need to put our energy on the field and not worry too much about the result. This is like a home ground for me after playing for Gujarat Titans in the IPL,” Rashid said.
He added that the pitch is expected to improve as the game progresses and highlighted areas for improvement from their previous match. Noor Ahmad replaced Ziaur Rahman in the playing XI.
“Batting in the powerplay and hitting our lengths were areas we missed in the last game. Noor comes in for Ziaur,” he said.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram admitted they would have preferred to bowl first but were comfortable batting.
“We would have bowled first as well. There’s quite a bit of moisture, but it’s not a bad thing to bat. Put runs on the board and apply pressure,” Markram said.
He confirmed one change, with George Linde replacing Corbin Bosch to add an extra spin option.
SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026: Head-to-Head
Matches played: 3
South Africa wins: 3
Afghanistan wins: 0
SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026: Playing XIs
South Africa: Aiden Markram (capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi