T20 World Cup 2026: Cricket fans couldn’t have asked for a wilder show in the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. South Africa and Afghanistan gave the fans a match for the ages. It had two Super Overs, endless drama, and a finish that left everyone breathless. South Africa put up 187 and for a while, Afghanistan looked set to chase it down. In the end, though, they fell just one run short and were all out for 187 with the game tied.
But that wasn’t the end of it. In the first Super Over Afghanistan managed 17 runs, losing just one wicket. South Africa matched that literally. A six sealed the deal and kept the scores locked. So, they went into a second Super Over. This time, Tristan Stubbs hammered a six, David Miller followed up with two more, and South Africa stacked up 23 runs.
Afghanistan had to score big to win this thriller. Instead, Mohammad Nabi lasted only two balls and was out for 0. Then Rahmanullah Gurbaz walked in and out of nowhere, smacked three consecutive sixes. For a moment, hope was alive. But he fell on the last ball and that was when Afghanistan lost.
This defeat stings for Afghanistan. Their chances of making the Super 8 took a serious hit. South Africa, on the other hand, now have four points from two matches. Afghanistan have lost twice in a row. If they want to keep dreaming, they need to win both of their remaining games, and even then, they will be hoping other results go their way.
Afghanistan actually looked in control during their chase, at least at first. But wickets kept tumbling and stalled their momentum. Gurbaz gave it everything and scored 84 from 42 balls, hammering four boundaries and seven sixes. Ngidi did the damage for South Africa, picking up three wickets for just 26 runs.
South Africa’s innings had its own fireworks. Ryan Rickelton blazed his way to 61 off 28, smashing five fours and four sixes. Quinton de Kock chipped in with 59 from 41, with five fours and three sixes. After captain Aiden Markram fell early for five, Rickelton and de Kock steadied things, adding 114 for the second wicket.
