Ahmedabad : South Africa edged out Afghanistan in a pulsating second Super Over during Match 13 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
The contest ended in a tie after both teams posted 187 runs in their 20 overs, leading to a dramatic Super Over finish. In the first Super Over, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 17 runs off Lungi Ngidi. Defending the target, Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed Dewald Brevis, but Tristan Stubbs struck two boundaries, including a six off the final ball, to level the scores and force a second Super Over.
Batting again, Stubbs and David Miller took charge for South Africa against Omarzai. Stubbs opened with a six, while Miller smashed two more maximums as the Proteas piled up 23 runs, setting Afghanistan a daunting 24-run target.
Chasing 24, Afghanistan sent in Mohammad Nabi alongside Omarzai. South Africa opted for spin, handing the ball to Keshav Maharaj. He began with a dot ball and then removed Nabi. Gurbaz followed with three consecutive sixes, raising hopes of an incredible finish. However, needing one more six off the final ball, he was caught at point, sealing a thrilling win for South Africa.
Earlier, Afghanistan had elected to bowl after winning the toss. South Africa made a cautious start, with captain Aiden Markram falling early to Farooqi. Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock rebuilt steadily, taking the team to 43/1 at the end of the powerplay and 98/1 after 10 overs.
De Kock scored 59 off 41 balls, becoming South Africa’s highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history with 737 runs, surpassing AB de Villiers’ 717. Rickelton played a blistering knock of 61 off 28 balls, including five fours and four sixes. Rashid Khan struck twice in quick succession to dismiss both set batters, slowing South Africa’s momentum.
Stubbs managed just one run before falling to Omarzai. Brevis (23 off 19), Miller (20* off 15), and Marco Jansen (16 off 7) pushed the total to 187/6. Omarzai claimed three wickets, while Rashid picked up two and Farooqi took one.
In reply, Afghanistan openers Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran got off to a flying start, reaching 50 in just four overs. However, Ngidi dismissed Zadran and Gulbadin Naib in the same over, and Rabada removed Sediqullah Atal soon after, triggering a mini-collapse.
Gurbaz continued his assault, scoring a brilliant 84 off 42 balls before edging Maharaj to short third man, leaving Afghanistan at 121/4 in the 13th over. Rashid Khan contributed a quickfire 20 off 12 deliveries to keep the chase alive.
With 24 needed from the final two overs, Jansen conceded 11 runs but dismissed Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. In the last over, Afghanistan required 13 runs. Rabada’s over began with a no-ball and a wide, and a six from Noor Ahmad brought the equation down rapidly. However, Farooqi was run out while attempting a second run, tying the match and forcing the first Super Over — which eventually turned into a historic double Super Over thriller won by South Africa.
