In a match that will be remembered as one of the greatest spectacles in T20 World Cup history, South Africa emerged victorious over Afghanistan after a breathtaking double Super Over at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. On February 11, 2026, the 13th match of Group D produced a level of drama rarely seen on the cricket field, eventually ending with the Proteas securing a narrow 4-run win in the second tie-breaker.
Top-Order Brilliance Sets the Platform
After Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to field, South Africa faced an early setback when skipper Aiden Markram was dismissed for just 5 runs, caught by Mohammad Nabi off the bowling of Fazalhaq Farooqi. However, the early wicket did not deter the Proteas. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton combined for a sensational 114-run partnership that dictated the tempo of the first half of the innings.
Rickelton was particularly aggressive, smashing 61 off just 28 deliveries at a strike rate of 217.86, including five boundaries and four towering sixes. At the other end, the veteran De Kock played a more measured but equally effective knock of 59 from 41 balls. Their departure in consecutive deliveries during the 13th over—both falling to Rashid Khan—stalled South Africa’s momentum. Despite late contributions from Dewald Brevis (23) and Marco Jansen (16), the Afghan bowlers, led by Azmatullah Omarzai’s 3/41 and Rashid’s 2/28, managed to restrict South Africa to 187/6 in their 20 overs.
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Gurbaz Leads a Spirited Afghan Chase
Afghanistan’s pursuit of 188 was spearheaded by a masterclass from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The opener was in sublime form, hammering 84 runs off only 42 balls. His innings was a display of pure power, featuring seven sixes and four fours. While Gurbaz anchored one end, the South African pace attack, led by Lungi Ngidi, made frequent inroads at the other. Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3/26 and dismissing Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, and Omarzai.
The middle order struggled to capitalize on Gurbaz’s start, with Sediqullah Atal falling for a duck and Darwish Rasooli being run out for 15. When Gurbaz was finally dismissed in the 13th over by Keshav Maharaj, the game hung in the balance. Afghanistan required 13 runs off the final over bowled by Kagiso Rabada. In a chaotic sequence involving a no-ball and a series of run-outs, Afghanistan managed to scramble enough runs to level the scores at 187 all out on the final delivery, sending the match into a Super Over.
The Double Super Over Drama
The first Super Over saw Afghanistan bat first, with Azmatullah Omarzai smashing 16 runs off Lungi Ngidi to set a target of 18. South Africa’s response was led by Tristan Stubbs, who struck a dramatic six off the final ball of Fazalhaq Farooqi’s over to tie the score at 17-1, forcing a second Super Over.
Under the rules of the second tie-breaker, South Africa batted first. Tristan Stubbs and David Miller took the attack to Omarzai, plundering 23 runs. Miller was the protagonist, hitting two sixes in a 16-run cameo. Faced with a daunting target of 24, Afghanistan turned once again to Gurbaz. The opener started brilliantly, hitting Keshav Maharaj for three consecutive sixes to bring the equation down to 5 runs needed from the final ball. However, Maharaj held his nerve, delivering a perfect wide yorker that Gurbaz could only slice to David Miller at point.
Lungi Ngidi Claims Player of the Match
While the Super Overs provided the final fireworks, it was Lungi Ngidi’s disciplined performance during the regulation 20 overs that earned him the Player of the Match award. His 3/26 was instrumental in preventing Afghanistan from chasing down the target in regular time. South Africa’s victory keeps their Group D campaign on track, while Afghanistan will take immense heart from a performance that nearly toppled one of the tournament favorites in front of a stunned Ahmedabad crowd.
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