Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, If you ever needed proof that T20 cricket can be cruel, this match was it. Afghanistan were one hit away—literally one swing away—from a historic first ICC win over South Africa, only to watch it slip through their fingers in a double Super Over thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 11, 2026.
Both teams piled up 187 in regulation play. Then, remarkably, they tied again with 17 each in the first Super Over. Finally, in the second Super Over, South Africa pulled clear, and Afghanistan’s dream turned into a nightmare. Five runs. That was the difference between history and heartbreak.
On a regular Wednesday afternoon, the world’s biggest cricket stadium turned into a pressure cooker. The crowd rode every ball, every misfield, every near-miss. Even Ravi Shastri, on commentary duty, couldn’t sit still—he literally sprinted down the stairs to soak in the chaos from ground level as this Group D clash turned into pure theatre. This Afghanistan vs South Africa Super Over thriller elevated the atmosphere from intense to unforgettable, transforming an already electric contest into one of the most dramatic spectacles in T20 World Cup history.
Let’s walk through how this epic unfolded and why it might just cost Afghanistan a Super 8s berth.
Match Context: Revenge, History and High Stakes
Afghanistan walked into this fixture with more than just points on their mind. South Africa had knocked them out in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024, and the scars hadn’t faded. Add to that:
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Afghanistan had never beaten South Africa in an ICC tournament.
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They had already dropped crucial points in the group.
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A loss here meant serious trouble in the race for the Super 8s.
For South Africa, this was another chapter in their strange love affair with tight finishes at ICC events. They had:
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Escaped by 1 run against Nepal earlier in the tournament.
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Suffered a heartbreaking loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
So, when these two sides met again, you kind of knew drama was going to follow. But nobody could have predicted this much drama.
Rashid Khan Wins the Toss and Backs His Bowlers
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan called right at the toss and chose to bowl first on a surface that looked like it would only get better for batting under lights. Interestingly, South Africa captain Aiden Markram admitted he would’ve done the same if he had won the toss. So Afghanistan got the conditions they wanted.
Early on, you could see why Rashid opted to chase:
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Fazalhaq Farooqi found movement with the new ball.
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The Proteas looked tentative against left-arm swing.
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Scoring wasn’t easy in the first few overs.
And soon enough, Afghanistan were on the board.
Farooqi Strikes Early: Markram Goes Cheaply
With just 12 runs on the board in the third over, Farooqi produced the early breakthrough Afghanistan needed. Aiden Markram, South Africa’s captain and key middle-order anchor, nicked off and walked back, leaving the Proteas 12 for 1.
Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton came together and started the rebuild. From the early exchanges, it seemed like:
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A total around 170–180 would be competitive.
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Anything above 180 might be slightly above par but definitely gettable.
Afghanistan sensed an opening. But this is where the game started tilting.
Did Rashid Khan Misread His Bowling Options?
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, Here’s where the tactical debate kicks in. Farooqi clearly looked threatening with the new ball. There was movement, there was control, and South Africa weren’t cruising by any means.
Instead of continuing with pace and building on the pressure, Rashid Khan chose to stick with spin early:
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Mujeeb Ur Rahman came on, and De Kock used the pace and angle to free his arms.
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A six and a four from De Kock helped South Africa break out of the early chokehold.
Azmatullah Omarzai eventually got the ball in the fifth over, but by then, De Kock and Rickelton had settled. Rickelton took advantage, picking up a couple of boundaries and taking 12 off the over.
Rashid then doubled down on spin by bringing in Mohammad Nabi ahead of Noor Ahmad, still holding back more pace. It might have been about match-ups, but it allowed De Kock and Rickelton to:
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Rotate strike comfortably.
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Pick off boundaries without taking massive risks.
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Build a partnership that began to flip the narrative.
By the halfway mark, the Proteas had surged to 98 for 1 in 10 overs. The early assistance for Farooqi was gone, and the pitch looked flat and friendly.
De Kock and Rickelton Launch: Proteas Take Control
Once the platform was set, South Africa shifted gears. De Kock and Rickelton:
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Brought up their fifties with controlled aggression.
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Targeted Noor Ahmad mercilessly when he finally came on.
That one over from Noor turned into a mini-disaster:
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Both batters hit him for a six early in the over.
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Rickelton followed up with a couple of boundaries.
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The over went for 23, and South Africa raced away.
At 124 for 1 after 12 overs, 200 looked on the cards. Afghanistan were in serious trouble. Rashid’s decision to hold back certain bowlers was starting to look costly.
But then, as he often does, Rashid Khan decided to take matters into his own hands.
Rashid Khan’s Double Strike Flips the Script
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, If his captaincy was under question, his bowling answered everything. Rashid came into the attack like a man on a mission and turned the game on its head with a classic double strike:
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First, he removed Ryan Rickelton, who had looked set for a big one.
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Then he dismissed Quinton de Kock, South Africa’s lynchpin.
From cruising at 124 for 1, South Africa suddenly found themselves wobbling. With Dewald Brevis and David Miller at the crease, Afghanistan tightened the screws:
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The next couple of overs went for just 8 runs.
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The Proteas failed to find boundaries.
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Momentum shifted sharply towards Afghanistan.
Omarzai then backed up Rashid’s work, dismissing Brevis and Tristan Stubbs in the same over. Suddenly South Africa were 159 for 5 in 18 overs, and even 180 looked far away.
Jansen and Miller’s Late Burst Takes SA to 187
Just when Afghanistan thought they had pinned South Africa down, the Proteas found a late surge. Marco Jansen and David Miller, who has built his reputation on this very ground in Ahmedabad, used their experience:
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Targeted the short side boundaries.
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Cashed in on anything fractionally off length.
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Squeezed every possible run in the final two overs.
Those death-overs cameos took South Africa to 187 for 6 in their 20 overs. It wasn’t a monstrous total, but it was definitely competitive.
Given the pressure of a World Cup chase and Afghanistan’s recent batting inconsistencies, 188 was going to take some serious work.
Enter Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz Storm: Afghanistan Come Out All Guns Blazing
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, If you’ve followed Afghanistan cricket over the last few years, you’ll know Rahmanullah Gurbaz is no ordinary opener. He’s fearless, he backs his shots, and when he gets going, he can turn any chase into a formality.
But 2025 hadn’t been kind to him:
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His form dipped.
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He was moved around the batting order.
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He managed just one fifty through the year.
This was the kind of game where stars either rebuild their reputation or drift further into doubt. Gurbaz chose the first option.
From the very first over:
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He took on Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, and Marco Jansen.
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He drove, pulled, and lofted without hesitation.
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Boundaries came thick and fast, and the South African pacers looked rattled.
Ibrahim Zadran joined in, and together they targeted George Linde’s spin, refusing to let him settle.
After just four overs, Afghanistan had stormed to 50 for 0. At that stage, they weren’t just in the chase—they were ahead of it.
Ngidi Strikes Back: Quick Wickets But Gurbaz Keeps Going
Just as Afghanistan looked set to cruise, the match served up its first big twist in the chase. Ngidi, known for staying calm under pressure, produced a pivotal over:
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He dismissed Ibrahim Zadran.
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Then removed Gulbadin Naib in the same over.
In the space of a few balls, Afghanistan went from dominant to nervy. Kagiso Rabada then joined the party in the next over, sending back Sediqullah Atal. The top order was being dismantled around Gurbaz.
But Gurbaz refused to budge.
He went back after Linde, making it clear he wasn’t going to let South Africa’s spinners control the game. He kept attacking, kept finding the fence, and raced to his best T20 World Cup score.
Gurbaz looked destined for a hundred. And then, in classic T20 style, the pendulum swung again.
Maharaj’s Double Blow: Gurbaz Falls Short of a Ton
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, Just when it seemed like Gurbaz was about to script one of the great World Cup chases, Keshav Maharaj stepped up.
In a crucial over:
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He removed Gurbaz, who departed for a magnificent 84.
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Darwish Rasooli fell in the same over, extending the wobble.
From cruising, Afghanistan were suddenly exposed. The set batter was gone, the middle order was under pressure, and the game slipped back into the “could go either way” category.
The task fell on two experienced heads—Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Afghanistan’s Middle Order Stutters Under Pressure
Mohammad Nabi, playing his 150th T20I, walked in with a reputation built on big moments. But on this day, his batting didn’t quite click. He never got into rhythm, struggled to find timing, and whenever he tried to break free, the fielders seemed perfectly placed.
Omarzai, on the other hand, showed more intent:
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He found a couple of boundaries.
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Tried to keep the equation within reach.
But with wickets falling regularly, Afghanistan were always one mistake away from collapse. Eventually:
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Nabi fell to George Linde.
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The required rate began creeping up.
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Omarzai became the lone hope in the middle.
By the time Ngidi returned and removed Omarzai in the 18th over, most people thought the game was gone. Even Rashid Khan’s brief flurry of boundaries couldn’t fully repair the damage.
At that point, it looked like South Africa had done enough. But this match wasn’t done twisting.
Chaos at the Death: No-Balls, Sixes and a Forced Super Over
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, Heading into the final over, Afghanistan still needed a minor miracle. Kagiso Rabada had the ball, South Africa had the momentum, and the Afghans didn’t have a set batter at the crease.
What followed was absolute chaos:
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Rabada struck with the first ball, and South Africa celebrated what they thought was the winning wicket.
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Replays showed he had overstepped. It was a no-ball. The wicket didn’t count.
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The next delivery was a wide, adding more pressure on the bowler.
Noor Ahmad then stepped up with the bat:
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He launched Rabada for a six.
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Then ran a double.
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Rabada overstepped again, and the pressure swung violently back on South Africa.
Suddenly, Afghanistan needed just 2 runs off 3 balls. It looked done. But cricket loves heartbreak.
Farooqi was run out going for a risky run, and the remaining batters couldn’t finish the job. The match, somehow, unbelievably, went into a Super Over.
First Super Over: Omarzai and Gurbaz Set the Bar
In the first Super Over, Afghanistan sent out Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai. Ngidi took the ball for South Africa, carrying the weight of a nation and the scars of those late no-balls.
Omarzai came out fearless:
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He cracked a four early.
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He then launched a towering six.
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A mishandled effort from Rabada at the boundary allowed another four.
In all, Afghanistan piled up 17 runs in their Super Over—an excellent score under that kind of pressure.
South Africa needed 18 to win. Afghanistan were three good balls away from history.
Brevis, Miller and Stubbs Drag SA Back
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa sent Dewald Brevis and David Miller to chase 18 in the Super Over. Fazalhaq Farooqi, who had worked so hard earlier, was handed the ball.
The mini-innings played out like an entire match:
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First ball: Farooqi escaped damage, keeping things tight.
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Second ball: Brevis smashed a huge six, sending the ball deep into the stands.
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Third ball: Brevis fell, undone by a clever slower ball.
A boundary followed to keep South Africa in the hunt, but Farooqi held his nerve brilliantly. Heading into the final delivery, the equation read:
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7 needed off 1 ball.
Tristan Stubbs, fresh off captaining Sunrisers Eastern Cape to another SA20 title, was on strike. He looked ice-cool in the middle of a storm.
Farooqi bowled, Stubbs swung, and the ball sailed over the ropes for six. Incredibly, the first Super Over was tied. The game rolled into a second Super Over.
You couldn’t make it up.
Second Super Over: Stubbs and Miller Smash 23
In the second Super Over, South Africa decided to double down on aggression. Tristan Stubbs and David Miller walked out again, this time looking to shut the door completely.
Afghanistan turned to Omarzai with the ball, hoping he could reproduce the calmness he showed with the bat earlier.
Instead, the Proteas went ballistic:
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Stubbs clubbed a six, striking the ball as if he’d been waiting for this moment all his life.
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Miller, who knows every inch of this ground from his franchise heroics, unleashed two massive sixes of his own.
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South Africa stormed to 23 runs in their six balls.
After two nerve-shredding hours, Afghanistan now needed 24 from their second Super Over to win. It was possible, but only just. The odds had swung firmly South Africa’s way.
Gurbaz vs Maharaj: A Hat-Trick of Sixes, Then Heartbreak
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa handed the ball to Keshav Maharaj for the second Super Over—an interesting move given the dimensions and Gurbaz’s mood. Afghanistan, understandably, sent Rahmanullah Gurbaz again, with Mohammad Nabi for support.
The start couldn’t have gone worse:
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Nabi fell early, trying to force the pace.
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Afghanistan slipped to 0 for 1 after two balls, needing a miracle.
Then the Gurbaz storm returned.
Ball three: Six.
>Ball four: Six.
>Ball five: Six.
Suddenly, it was 18 from 5 balls, and Afghanistan needed just 6 off the final delivery to pull off one of the craziest wins you’ll ever see. The entire stadium was on its feet. It felt like the match was boiling down to one final swing.
Maharaj ran in. Gurbaz loaded up.
He middled it—but didn’t get enough elevation. The ball went flat, straight to the fielder in the deep. Catch taken. Game over.
From one hit away from immortality, Afghanistan were beaten by 5 runs in the second Super Over.
Gurbaz, who had scored 84 in regulation and then almost single-handedly dragged Afghanistan over the line in the Super Overs, sank to his haunches. You could feel the weight of the moment on his shoulders.
What This Result Means for Afghanistan and South Africa
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, Beyond the drama and highlights, this result has huge implications for the tournament itself.
For Afghanistan:
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They remain winless against South Africa in ICC events.
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Their chances of reaching the Super 8s have taken a massive hit.
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They will now depend on other results and must win big in remaining games.
For South Africa:
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They showed composure under extreme pressure.
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Stubbs, Miller, and Maharaj emerged as clutch performers.
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Their knack for getting into thrillers continues, but this time they finished on the right side of history.
In many ways, it felt like an ICC classic in real time—a match that will be replayed in highlights packages for years.
Key Takeaways from the SA vs AFG Double Super Over Thriller
There’s a lot to unpack from this roller-coaster contest:
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Afghanistan’s fight: From 187 to chase, to late comebacks, to Super Overs—they refused to go away.
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Rashid’s leadership: Questionable early bowling changes, but brilliant with the ball and brave with field settings.
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Gurbaz’s redemption: Returning to peak form on the biggest stage, reminding everyone why he’s rated so highly.
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South Africa’s nerve: From Markram’s early dismissal to late-over panic, they still found match-winners in Stubbs, Miller, Jansen and Maharaj.
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Fine margins: Two no-balls from Rabada, a run-out, one mistimed shot from Gurbaz—tiny moments decided a huge result.
This was T20 cricket at its chaotic best and its cruelest.
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Conclusion
Afghanistan vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2026, this wasn’t just a match; it was a saga. Afghanistan went toe-to-toe with a top-tier side, matched them shot for shot, and still walked away with nothing but heartbreak.
For neutrals, it was an unforgettable spectacle. South Africa, it was a massive step towards the Super 8s and a confidence boost after years of close calls. For Afghanistan, though, this might be the result that haunts them if they fail to qualify.
They had the Proteas on the ropes multiple times: during the middle overs with the ball, in the chase with Gurbaz firing, in the first Super Over with 17 on the board, and again in the second with three consecutive sixes.
Yet, the story of the night was simple: South Africa survived, Afghanistan stumbled at the last hurdle.
If Afghanistan do bow out early from the T20 World Cup 2026, this double Super Over epic in Ahmedabad will be the night they look back on and wonder, “How did we not win that?”
