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- South Africa vs Afghanistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa beat Afghanistan in double Super Over thriller
South Africa vs Afghanistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa beat Afghanistan in double Super Over thriller
T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table
Batting first, South Africa looked set for an even bigger total before settling for 187 for 6, built around a commanding 114-run stand between Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61).
Afghanistan’s chase was driven by a sensational knock from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed 84 off just 42 balls to keep his side in the hunt. With the scores tied at 187 in 19.4 overs, the match moved into a tense Super Over phase.
Afghanistan posted 17 without loss in the first one, but Tristan Stubbs’ towering final-ball six dragged South Africa level.
The Proteas then raised the bar in the second Super Over, David Miller smashing 16 to lift them to 23. Afghanistan fought back through Gurbaz’s three sixes but could only reach 19-2, sealing a dramatic South African win.
Playing XIs:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (captain), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.
The Proteas skipper departs. Ryan Rickelton joins Quinton de Kock.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, OUT! TAKEN! Fazalhaq Farooqi draws first blood. A nice deceptive slower delivery from Fazalhaq, pitches it in the slot. Aiden Markram is a bit early as he tries to launch this away but miscues it high and to mid off where Mohammad Nabi takes a couple of steps back and pouches it. An early breakthrough for Afghanistan and South Africa lose their captain with just 12 runs on the board.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Quinton de Kock, Gets closer to the off pole, fractionally short. Quinton de Kock hops to push it away but gets a thick inside edge, past the stumps and in front of short fine leg for a single.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Quinton de Kock, Fazalhaq Farooqi tries to shape it away from the batter but the ball lands and nips in, outside off and on a length. Quinton de Kock tries to punch it away without much foot movement and gets beaten.
- Quinton de Kock 6 (5)
- Aiden Markram 5 (7)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock, Floats it up, tad fuller and sliding away a touch. Quinton de Kock bends across and knocks it to long off and keeps the strike.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Aiden Markram, Mujeeb Ur Rahman targets the stumps, tosses it up. Aiden Markram drills it to long on for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock, A bit too full and around off, flatter trajectory. This is punched to cover for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock, Was that a chance? The wide is not given! Drifts it into the batter, turning in as well. Quinton de Kock leans to defend it but gets a faint inside edge to the keeper, who fumbles to collect it.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock, FOUR! Quinton de Kock is up and running! Pitches it up and gets it to swing away but gives a lot of room outside off. Quinton de Kock is quick to get on his knee, firmly hits it over extra cover for a boundary.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock, Tosses it up from around the wicket to the left-hander, around off and turning away. QDK taps it to cover.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman will share the new ball with Fazalhaq Farooqi.
- Aiden Markram 4 (6)
- Quinton de Kock 0 (0)
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, FOUR! South Africa are underway! Beautiful shot from Markram! Fazalhaq Farooqi overpitches it, well outside off, Aiden leans and crunches it through covers. A fast outfield and the ball races away to the fence.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Nicely bowled! Takes the ball away from the batter once again. Bowls it touch shorter and around off, lot of movement on this one. Aiden Markram has a poke at it but misses. A muted appeal from the keeper but just got carried away there.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Outswinger, pitches it on leg, Aiden Markram is pegged back as he keeps it out on the leg side.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Touch fuller, around off, no movement on this one. Aiden Markram taps with soft hands back to the bowler.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Overpitched, across the batter and tempts Aiden to go for the big drive but the ball swings in late and takes the inside edge. It rolls off the pads on the off side.
Fazalhaq Farooqi to Aiden Markram, Bang on the money! A good length delivery, around off with a little bit of inward shape. Aiden Markram defends it back to Fazalhaq Farooqi.
All in readiness now for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Afghanistan. The duo of Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock is all set to open the innings for South Africa. Fazalhaq Farooqi has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go. Just one slip in place, let's go...
Time for the anthems - The match officials make their way out to the middle, followed by the two sets of players and their mascots. The players of South Africa and Afghanistan line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the anthem of Afghanistan first, followed by that of South Africa.
Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad (In for Ziaur Rahman), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde (In for Corbin Bosch), Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi.
The captain of South Africa - Aiden Markram says they would have bowled first as well. Feels there will be some moisture in the field but happy to bat and are looking forward to putting a good total on the board. Acknowledges the form of every player in the previous game but Aiden wants to keep raising the bar. Informs that George Linde comes in as the extra spinner on this pitch, in place of Corbin Bosch.
The skipper of Afghanistan - Rashid Khan says that it's a good wicket to bowl first and they will prefer to chase. Continues that after the loss against the Kiwis, he and his team are ready to fetch the win as it's a must win game for them. They are not thinking much about the result and they will play with positive energy.
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), David Miller, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kewna Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada.
David Miller’s unbeaten 39 provided further assurance, especially after doubts over his inclusion in the squad.
However, attention will also be on young Dewald Brevis, who managed only six in the previous game and has struggled for consistency in T20Is, with 31 being his highest score across his last 14 matches.
Adding to Afghanistan’s challenge is a poor head-to-head record, having lost all three previous T20 World Cup meetings against the Proteas — a history they must overcome to keep their Super Eight dream alive.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s figures of 2/31 stood out as the lone bright spot, underlining the need for sharper execution from the rest of the attack.
As the team moves to the world’s biggest stadium, Rashid’s extensive IPL experience at the venue could prove invaluable in guiding the side tactically.
The Afghans will need to rethink their bowling combinations, improve their powerplay discipline and rediscover their trademark spin dominance if they are to contain a strong South African batting lineup and revive their campaign.
However, questions were raised about team selection and bowling strategy, particularly the decision to leave out Noor Ahmad despite his experience of playing T20 cricket at Chepauk.
Instead, Afghanistan relied heavily on their fast bowlers, who struggled to execute their plans and delivered wayward spells at crucial moments. That tactical call proved costly as the Kiwis chased confidently, leaving Afghanistan searching for answers ahead of their next must-win encounter.
The Proteas, runners-up in the last edition, have shown impressive balance and confidence, while the Kiwis remain a consistent threat.
Afghanistan, despite being viewed as one of the tournament’s dangerous sides, now find themselves under pressure to deliver results quickly.
With just a handful of league matches to decide the Super Eight spots, the margin for error has shrunk significantly. The coming fixtures are expected to be fiercely contested, as Afghanistan attempt to bounce back against two established powerhouses and keep their World Cup hopes alive.
With only two teams progressing to the Super Eight stage from each group, Afghanistan face a do-or-die situation when they take on an in-form South Africa in their Group D clash of the T20 World Cup today.
The Afghans slipped into a tricky position after a five-wicket defeat to New Zealand, which left them third on the table with a Net Run Rate of -1.162.
In contrast, South Africa sit comfortably at the top following a dominant 57-run victory over Canada that boosted their Net Run Rate to a commanding 2.850.
The tight qualification scenario means every game now carries massive stakes, and Afghanistan must not only secure a win but also improve their NRR to stay alive in the race for the next round.
Opting to bat first, the Proteas posted 187 for 6 thanks to a 114-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61).
Afghanistan matched the total in regulation time, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz blasting a stunning 42-ball 84, as the match was tied at 187 in 19.4 overs.
Afghanistan struck 17 without loss in the first Super Over, but Tristan Stubbs’ last-ball six ensured South Africa levelled the scores.
In the second Super Over, David Miller powered South Africa to 23, and despite Gurbaz’s late sixes, Afghanistan managed only 19/2, falling agonisingly short.
Match Statistics
Venue
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
