In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa and Afghanistan engaged in an intense Group D match at the Narendra Modi Stadium. After two thrilling innings, the match was forced into a double super over before the Proteas eventually won.

With the squad aiming for their first victory of the competition, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan chose to field after winning the toss.

Afghanistan took full advantage of the early morning circumstances, which helped the bowlers somewhat, and held the South African batsmen in check for the opening three overs.

The first goal came from Fazalhaq Farooqi, who cleverly used a slower throw to snare South Africa skipper Aiden Markram in mid-off.

However, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton’s strong partnership quickly turned the tide of the match in South Africa’s favor. The left-handed duo amassed 116 runs off of just 61 balls, tearing up the Afghan bowling attack.

Rickleton was outstanding, hitting 61 from just 28 balls, including four sixes and five boundaries, while De Kock completed his fifty with a graceful pull shot, ending at 59 off 41 deliveries.

By dismissing both de Kock and Rickleton within three balls, Rashid was able to momentarily stop the run-flow, but cameos from David Miller (20 not out) and Dewald Brevis (23) allowed South Africa to record a respectable 187/6.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz was in full force as Afghanistan got off to a fantastic start in the chase. The squad quickly reached 50 in just four overs thanks to the opener’s two fours and three sixes.

In response, South Africa took three fast wickets, with Kagiso Rabada dismissing Sediqullah Atal and Lungi Ngidi dismissing Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib, bringing Afghanistan down from 51/0 to 52/3.

Gurbaz persisted in his assault, striking hard and hitting seven sixes and four fours to reach a fifty off 26 balls. Afghanistan had 93/3 at the 10-over point, maintaining the pressure on the Proteas.

Gurbaz’s devastating blow was finally stopped by George Linde, but Rashid Khan (20) and Azmatullah Omarzai (22) maintained the pace.

Afghanistan needed 13 runs to win the match, which came down to the last over. Afghanistan managed to scrape to 187 after Kagiso Rabada’s over started badly with a no-ball and a wide, but a critical run-out compelled a thrilling super over.

Afghanistan was the first to bat in the first super over. Against Linde and Ngidi of South Africa, Azmatullah and Gurbaz scored an incredible 17 runs together, with Azmat’s long-range six and a deft boundary through backward point serving as highlights.

Tristan Stubbs cleared Nabi’s outstretched hand, leveling the super over and forcing a second one after South Africa’s Brevis responded with a massive six off Farooqi.

With Miller and Stubbs walking out to set up a target for the Afghans, South Africa proceeded confidently in the second super over, thinking they had the match to win.

By hitting a slower-ball off-cutter over deep mid-wicket for six, Stubbs gave South Africa a head start. In order to keep the strike going for Miller, he quickly singled.

Miller then grabbed control, hitting a huge six off a length delivery outside off with a brilliant loft over deep mid-wicket and then another huge six off an off-pace length ball right after. Two more runs were scored after a poorly timed pull, but South Africa’s momentum persisted.

By the last delivery, Miller had swung the balance decisively in the Proteas’ favor by flicking a yorker-length ball between long-on and deep mid-wicket for a well-taken two, bringing South Africa’s second super over total to 23 runs. Afghanistan now had a formidable goal of 24 to chase.

Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz were sent out by Rashid to chase the total, but Keshav Maharaj, the spin ace for South Africa, maintained his composure admirably.

Nabi misjudged a lofted shot to Miller at the backward point, causing him to fall early. Gurbaz was left to bear the burden of the pursuit by himself.

The Afghan opener reduced the equation to four needed off the final ball with a stunning exhibition of power hitting, hammering three successive sixes in a display of utter boldness.

However, Maharaj remained calm and trapped Gurbaz on the final delivery, dismissing him and giving South Africa a thrilling win.

The outcome ended an incredible match that had already featured two super overs, valiant efforts by Rahmanullah Gurbaz, David Miller, and Stubbs, and an incredible exhibition of drama, skill, and tension that will go down as one of the best 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)
Afghanistan 187/10 in 19.4 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84, Azmatullah Omarzai 22; Lungi Ngidi 3-26, Keshav Maharaj 1-27)

1st Super Over

Afghanistan 17/0 (Azmatullah Omarzai 16*, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 1*; Lungi Ngidi 0-17)
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*)
Afghanistan 19/2 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 18, Keshav Maharaj 2-19)