The South Africa vs Afghanistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in tournament history, with the contest going into not one but two Super Overs before South Africa finally sealed victory. Fans at the packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad were left breathless as the match swung wildly until the final delivery.
What began as a high-scoring group-stage fixture quickly turned into a nerve-shredding encounter, underlining why T20 cricket continues to captivate audiences across the UK, US, and the rest of the cricketing world.
Match Overview
The 13th match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 saw South Africa post a competitive total before Afghanistan fought back valiantly, forcing a Super Over. When the first Super Over failed to produce a winner, a second Super Over was required-an extremely rare sight at this level.
Here is a quick summary of the match:
| Match | South Africa vs Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| South Africa | 187/6 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan | 187 (after Super Over tie) |
| Result | South Africa won in second Super Over |
South Africa Set the Tone with 187/6
After being put into bat, South Africa delivered a strong batting performance, finishing with 187 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The Proteas batters showed intent from the outset, maintaining a healthy run rate and capitalizing on loose deliveries.
Despite Afghanistan’s disciplined bowling in patches, South Africa managed to accelerate in the final overs. The middle-order contributions proved crucial in pushing the total close to 190 — a challenging target under pressure.
Afghanistan needed 188 runs from 120 balls to secure victory and keep their campaign alive.
Afghanistan’s Fightback Forces Super Over
Afghanistan’s chase began with confidence, but wickets at key intervals kept the contest balanced. As the innings progressed, the required run rate began to climb, and South Africa sensed an opportunity to close out the match.
Heading into the final over of regulation play, Afghanistan required 13 runs with just one wicket remaining. South Africa needed only one breakthrough to win.
However, the drama intensified when Kagiso Rabada bowled two no-balls in the final over, dramatically shifting the momentum. Those costly errors allowed Afghanistan to stay alive in the contest. Showing immense composure under pressure, the Afghan batters scrambled to reach 177 and ultimately tied the match, forcing a Super Over.
The crowd erupted as the match officially entered sudden-death territory.
First Super Over: Still No Separation
The first Super Over saw both sides battling nerves and expectations. With everything on the line, neither team managed to gain a decisive edge, resulting in another tie.
This meant the rare scenario of a second Super Over-something only a handful of international matches have witnessed.
Second Super Over: South Africa Hold Their Nerve
In the second Super Over, South Africa set a daunting target of 24 runs for Afghanistan.
Chasing 24 under extreme pressure proved too much for the Afghan side.
Indian-origin spinner Keshav Maharaj struck early, dismissing Mohammad Nabi on the second ball without conceding a run. That breakthrough immediately tilted the balance in South Africa’s favour.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz tried to fight back, smashing a boundary for six runs in the next three deliveries. A wide ball added to Afghanistan’s tally, briefly raising hopes.
But on the final delivery, Gurbaz was dismissed, ending Afghanistan’s resistance and confirming South Africa’s victory in one of the most gripping matches of the tournament.
Full Playing XIs
Afghanistan Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK) |
| Ibrahim Zadran |
| Gulbadin Naib |
| Sediqullah Atal |
| Darwish Rasooli |
| Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Mohammad Nabi |
| Rashid Khan (C) |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| Noor Ahmad |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi |
South Africa Playing XI
| Player |
|---|
| Aiden Markram (C) |
| Quinton de Kock (WK) |
| Ryan Rickelton |
| Dewald Brevis |
| David Miller |
| Tristan Stubbs |
| Marco Jansen |
| George Linde |
| Kagiso Rabada |
| Keshav Maharaj |
| Lungi Ngidi |
A Rematch of 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
This encounter carried added significance. In the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final, South Africa had bowled Afghanistan out for just 56 runs and secured a dominant nine-wicket victory.
However, this time the contest was far more competitive, highlighting Afghanistan’s rapid growth in international cricket. They pushed South Africa to the brink and proved they are no longer underdogs but genuine contenders.
What This Means for Afghanistan
Afghanistan entered this match under pressure after losing their opening fixture against New Zealand. A defeat here further complicates their path to the Super 8 stage.
With qualification now hanging in the balance, Afghanistan will need strong performances in their remaining group matches to keep their campaign alive.
Despite the loss, their fighting spirit against a top-tier side like South Africa will give them confidence moving forward.
Head-to-Head Record
Before this contest, South Africa had dominated the T20 head-to-head record.
| Total T20 Matches | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 |
With this victory, South Africa maintain their unbeaten record against Afghanistan in T20 internationals.
Conclusion:
The South Africa vs Afghanistan showdown will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most thrilling matches of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Two Super Overs, last-ball dismissals, no-ball drama, and shifting momentum made this a spectacle worthy of global attention.
For cricket fans in the UK, US, and beyond, this was T20 cricket at its finest-unpredictable, intense, and unforgettable.
South Africa walk away with two crucial points, but Afghanistan leave with pride intact after pushing one of the tournament favourites to the absolute limit.