T20 World Cup: South Africa Survive Double Super Over to Down Afghanistan

South Africa edged Afghanistan in one of the most dramatic matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, clinching victory after a rare double Super Over in a gripping Group D contest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Put in to bat, the Proteas produced a competitive 187/6, built around composed half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. Afghanistan, however, matched the total courtesy of a stunning counterattack from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, forcing the game into a Super Over and eventually into a second tiebreaker before South Africa finally prevailed.

South Africa’s innings began cautiously after the early dismissal of captain Aiden Markram. Runs were hard to come by in the powerplay, but de Kock and Rickelton steadied the innings with a mature partnership. Once settled, the pair accelerated, adding 114 runs for the second wicket and shifting the momentum decisively. During his knock of 59 off 41 balls, de Kock also surpassed AB de Villiers to become South Africa’s leading run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, while Rickelton’s brisk 61 off 28 kept the scoreboard moving.

Afghanistan fought back strongly through captain Rashid Khan, who removed both set batters in the same over. Azmatullah Omarzai further dented the innings with a double strike later on, restricting the Proteas from pushing beyond a par total. A late cameo from Marco Jansen ensured South Africa finished on a competitive score.

Afghanistan’s chase began in dramatic fashion, led by Gurbaz’s aggressive strokeplay. Early breakthroughs from Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada reduced them to 56/3, but Gurbaz continued to dominate, bringing up a rapid half-century and keeping the chase alive with a crucial partnership alongside Darwish Rasooli.

The turning point appeared to arrive when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Gurbaz for a brilliant 84 and Rasooli was run out soon after. Yet Afghanistan refused to fade away. Contributions from Omarzai and Rashid Khan revived hopes, and a tense final over saw the match tied after Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out while attempting the winning run.

In the first Super Over, Afghanistan posted 17 runs, powered by Omarzai’s clean hitting. South Africa matched the total, with Tristan Stubbs striking a six off the final delivery to level scores again and force a second Super Over — a rare occurrence in international T20 cricket.

Batting first this time, South Africa raised the stakes as Stubbs and David Miller powered them to 23 without loss. Afghanistan’s reply began shakily with Mohammad Nabi’s early dismissal, but Gurbaz once again threatened with three consecutive sixes. Needing five off the final ball, he went for another big shot but was caught at point, sealing a dramatic four-run win for South Africa.

The result preserved South Africa’s unbeaten record against Afghanistan in T20Is and kept them firmly on course in the group stage. Their next assignment is a high-profile clash against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, a match that could decide the Group D standings.

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