SA vs AFG Super Over Thriller – Match Highlights, Dramatic Finish & Full Updates | T20 World Cup 2026

February 11, 2026 Touseef11

MATCH RESULT: South Africa Win Double Super Over Thriller

FINAL RESULT:

Regulation Play: Match Tied 187-187
First Super Over: Tied 17-17
Second Super Over: South Africa 23/0, Afghanistan 19/2
Result: South Africa won by 4 runs (2nd Super Over)
Player of the Match: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (84 off 42)

South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj gave the team the perfect start in the second Super Over, dismissing Mohammad Nabi on the second ball. Gurbaz yet again closed the gap with three sixes in a row, but South Africa held their nerves and restricted Afghanistan to 19/2.

Match Details:

Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Toss: Afghanistan won, elected to bowl first
Match: 13th Match, Group D
Historic: First double Super Over in T20 World Cup 2026

Tournament Context: Group of Death Heats Up

The group of death in the first round is hotting up on a warm Ahmedabad morning. This group has a three-way between New Zealand, South Africa and Afghanistan. After New Zealand beat Afghanistan, it is almost a must-win for the semi-finalists of the last T20 World Cup.

This thriller came on Day 4 of the tournament, which also saw Pakistan’s comprehensive 32-run victory over USA where Sahibzada Farhan’s 73 and Usman Tariq’s 3/27 starred. Earlier in the week, Pakistan survived against Netherlands and India defended 161 against USA despite early collapses.

Afghanistan made it till the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, but this time, after just one game, they face an uphill task. Their loss to New Zealand in their opening match has put them, in all likelihood, in a do-or-die situation against South Africa.

Toss & Playing XI

Afghanistan Won Toss, Elected to Bowl First

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bowl first on a fresh pitch in his quasi home ground of Ahmedabad.

Playing XI:

South Africa:

Quinton de Kock (wk)
Aiden Markram (c)
Ryan Rickelton
Dewald Brevis
Tristan Stubbs
David Miller
Marco Jansen
Keshav Maharaj
Kagiso Rabada
Lungi Ngidi
Anrich Nortje

Afghanistan:

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
Ibrahim Zadran
Sediqullah Atal
Azmatullah Omarzai
Gulbadin Naib
Mohammad Nabi
Rashid Khan (c)
Noor Ahmad
Mujeeb ur Rahman
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Naveen-ul-Haq

FIRST INNINGS: South Africa 187/6 in 20 Overs

Early Setback (0-3 Overs): 12/1

Fazalhaq Farooqi has got off to a customary tight start with movement each way. However, when he fractionally overpitched the last ball of the first over, Aiden Markram drove him for a four.

Afghanistan strike early as Aiden Markram is the first batter to depart. He attempts to go big but instead gets caught out by Nabi. AFG get their first breakthrough.

Powerplay: South Africa at 12/1 after early wicket

De Kock-Rickelton Partnership: 114-Run Stand

Quinton de Kock – Aggressive Fifty

De Kock brought up his fifty with a pull for four, scoring 59 runs in 41 balls.

Quinton de Kock’s Innings:

Runs: 59 off 41 balls
Fours: Multiple boundaries
Sixes: Big hits
Strike Rate: 143.90
Partnership: 114 runs with Rickelton

Ryan Rickelton – Explosive Knock

Ryan Rickleton was even more devastating, scoring 61 in just 28 balls, with the help of five fours and four sixes.

Ryan Rickelton’s Performance:

Runs: 61 off 28 balls
Fours: 5
Sixes: 4
Strike Rate: 217.85
Impact: Changed the game with aggressive strokeplay

Rashid Khan Fights Back

Rashid Khan was taken apart in the first two overs, but he made a superb comeback to end up with just 28 runs off his four overs. He is on 699 T20 wickets now, and has brought Afghanistan back into the match.

The Double Strike: Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan stalled the South African progress temporarily as he sent back both De Kock and Rickleton in the space of three balls.

This is perfection from Rashid Khan: wide on the crease, short of a length, but still accurate enough to be hitting top of leg.

Rashid Khan’s Figures: 2/28 in 4 overs (economical comeback)

Middle-Order Struggles

Dewald Brevis: South Africa have ridden the phase of slowdown against spin after that double-strike, Dewald Brevis is looking to cut loose in the last three overs, and Azmatullah Omarzai has produced the perfect result for Afghanistan. A slower short ball hit straight down the throat of mid-off, and he is gone for 23 off 19.

Lower Order Contributions:

Dewald Brevis (23) and David Miller (20 not out) chipped in with cameos as South Africa finished at 187/6
A handy 16-run cameo from Marco Jansen powers South Africa to 187/6 at the end of 20 overs

Afghanistan Bowling Performance

Azmatullah Omarzai – Star Bowler:

Figures: 3 wickets
Key dismissals: Brevis, Stubbs, and one more

Rashid Khan:

Figures: 2/28 in 4 overs
Dismissed: De Kock and Rickelton in same over

Other Bowlers:

Fazalhaq Farooqi: 1 wicket (early breakthrough)
Mujeeb ur Rahman: Economical spell

South Africa Final Score: 187/6 in 20 overs

SECOND INNINGS: Afghanistan 187 All Out in 19.4 Overs

Explosive Start – Gurbaz on Fire

With Rahmanullah Gurbaz on song, Afghanistan made the perfect start to a challenging chase. Gurbaz struck two fours and three sixes as the Asian side brought up 50 in four overs.

Powerplay: 50+ runs – Explosive start

South Africa Strike Back

South Africa checked the Afghan run chase with three quick wickets. After Lungi Ngidi castled Ibrahim Zadran, who was just starting to free his arms, he had Gulbadin Naib caught and bowled for zero. Kagiso Rabada then dismissed Sediqullah Atal in the next over, as Afghanistan crashed from 51/0 to 52/3.

Collapse: 51/0 to 52/3 in quick succession

Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Heroic Knock

Sensational Display Under Pressure

However, Gurbaz continued to go for his shots. He made space and cracked a six over cover to bring up his fifty in 26 balls. With the wicketkeeper-bat leading the charge, Afghanistan scored 93/3 in 10 overs. Scoring at an incredible strike rate of 200, Gurbaz slammed seven sixes and four fours.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Innings:

Runs: 84 off 42 balls
Fours: 4
Sixes: 7
Strike Rate: 200.00
Fifty: Off just 26 balls
Dismissal: Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 84

What a piece of clean hitting this is from Rahmanullah Gurbaz! The wicketkeeper-batter has raced to 78 runs and has the Proteas bowlers on their toes with boundaries being to every corner of the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Middle-Order Contributions

While Gurbaz’s defiant knock ended at 84, Azmatullah Omarzai (22) and Rashid Khan (20) took on the torch and made sure they kept pace with South Africa.

Key Partnerships:

Gurbaz anchored the chase brilliantly
Omarzai provided support (22 runs)
Rashid Khan’s cameo (20 runs) kept Afghanistan in hunt

Dramatic Final Over – Rabada’s Chaos

The last over bowled by Kagiso Rabada turned the match into a thriller. Afghanistan needed runs under pressure, and the over included multiple no-balls, a dropped catch, and a dramatic run-out on the final delivery.

Final Over Drama:

Multiple no-balls from Rabada
Dropped catch adding to tension
With Fazalhaq Farooqi run out on the last ball, Afghanistan were bowled out for 187 in 19.4 overs, tying the match and sending it into a Super Over

Match Tied: 187-187

FIRST SUPER OVER: Tied at 17-17

Afghanistan Bat First – Explosive Start

In the one-over eliminator, Afghanistan opted for Azmatullah Omarzai and Gurbaz with the bat. Omarzai wasted no time, striking a boundary first ball and then launching a six to seize the initiative.

Lungi Ngidi struggled to contain the pair as Afghanistan piled on 17 runs in the Super Over, putting South Africa under immediate pressure.

Afghanistan: 17/0 (Omarzai and Gurbaz aggressive)

South Africa’s Reply – Stubbs’ Last-Ball Heroics

When it came to South Africa’s chase, David Miller and Dewald Brevis were sent out to bat. The latter hit a massive six to keep Proteas in the hunt but Fazalhaq Farooqi sent him to the pavilion on the very next ball.

The Decisive Moment: Tristan Stubbs hammered a flat six off Farooqi’s final delivery, clearing Nabi at long-off to tie the Super Over and force another, leaving players stunned in an unforgettable T20 World Cup thriller.

Tristan Stubbs started with a boundary as the equation came down to seven off two balls. He played a dot on the fifth ball and then hit a cracking six on the final ball as the game moved to the second Super Over of the day.

South Africa: 17/1 (Stubbs’ six forced 2nd Super Over)

SECOND SUPER OVER: South Africa 23/0 vs Afghanistan 19/2

Miller-Stubbs Onslaught

David Miller and Tristan Stubbs unleashed a stunning assault on Azmatullah, smashing three sixes and racing to 23 runs in the second Super Over, putting South Africa firmly in control.

South Africa Batting (2nd Super Over):

Total: 23/0
Miller: Dominant hitting
Stubbs: Continued aggression
Bowler: Azmatullah Omarzai
David Miller and Tristan Stubbs opened for South Africa in the second Super Over, while Omarzai was handed the ball. He failed to replicate the performance that he pulled off with the bat as Miller went berserk in the middle. The flamboyant batter smacked 22 runs in the over as South Africa posted 23

Afghanistan’s Chase – Gurbaz’s Valiant Effort

Nabi’s Early Dismissal

In the second over, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs combined to score 23/0. South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj gave the team the perfect start, dismissing Mohammad Nabi on the second ball.

Afghanistan: 0/1 after 2 balls (Nabi dismissed)

Gurbaz’s Three Sixes in a Row

Gurbaz yet again closed the gap with three sixes in a row.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed three consecutive sixes to revive Afghanistan’s hopes, but Keshav Maharaj held his nerve on the final ball to dismiss him, sealing a dramatic Super Over victory for South Africa.

The Final Ball: With 6 runs needed off the last ball, a wide ball was followed by a wicket for the Proteas, who held their nerve to win the tie in the second Super Over.

Afghanistan Final Score: 19/2 (fell short by 4 runs)

South Africa Win by 4 Runs (2nd Super Over)

Match Statistics & Records

Historic Match:

This match produced the first Super Over of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026
First double Super Over in T20 World Cup 2026
Highest drama quotient match of tournament

Individual Records:

Gurbaz: 84 off 42 (highest score in losing cause)
Rickelton: 61 off 28 (fastest fifty for SA)
De Kock: 59 off 41 (50th T20 World Cup fifty approaching)

Partnership Records:

De Kock-Rickelton: 114 runs (match-defining stand)

Bowling Records:

Rashid Khan: 2/28 (699 T20 wickets total – needs 1 for 700)
Lungi Ngidi: 3/26 (best SA bowler)

Player of the Match

Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Despite being on losing side, his 84 off 42 balls with 7 sixes and 4 fours was the performance of the match

Post-Match Reactions

South Africa Captain Aiden Markram: “That was incredibly tense. Credit to Afghanistan for pushing us all the way. Miller and Stubbs showed tremendous composure in that second Super Over. These are the matches that define tournaments.”

Afghanistan Captain Rashid Khan: “Heartbreaking loss but proud of the boys. Gurbaz was exceptional. We fought till the end. These experiences will make us stronger.”

Rahmanullah Gurbaz: “I tried my best. Three sixes in the last over but couldn’t finish it. That’s cricket. We’ll come back stronger.”

David Miller: “When you have two Super Overs, you know it’s going to be special. Stubbs and I just backed ourselves. Maharaj was brilliant in that final over.”

South Africa Bowling Performance

Regulation Play:

Lungi Ngidi: 3/26 (4 overs) – Best bowler
Kagiso Rabada: 1 wicket (dramatic final over)
Anrich Nortje: 1 wicket
Keshav Maharaj: Economical spell

Super Overs:

Lungi Ngidi: Went for 17 in 1st Super Over
Keshav Maharaj: 2 wickets in 2nd Super Over (match-winner)

Group D Standings After Match 13

Updated Points Table:

South Africa – 4 points, 2 wins (NRR: +1.20)
New Zealand – 2 points, 1 win (NRR: +0.80)
Afghanistan – 0 points, 2 losses (NRR: -0.50)
Canada – 0 points, 1 loss (NRR: -0.90)
UAE – 0 points, 1 loss (NRR: -1.20)

Qualification Scenario:

South Africa almost guaranteed Super 8 berth
Afghanistan must win remaining matches
New Zealand in strong position
Group D intensely competitive

What This Result Means

For South Africa:

Two wins from two matches
Proven ability to win under extreme pressure
Miller-Stubbs combination lethal
Bowling depth with Maharaj’s heroics
Top of Group D with excellent NRR

For Afghanistan:

Two heartbreaking losses
Showed they can compete with best
Gurbaz in sensational form
Must win remaining matches to qualify
Confidence despite defeat

Key Takeaways

South Africa Positives:

Rickelton’s emergence as aggressive batter (61 off 28)
De Kock’s consistency (59 off 41)
Miller’s finishing ability in Super Overs
Maharaj’s nerveless final over
Ability to win closest matches

Afghanistan Learnings:

Gurbaz is world-class (84 off 42)
Can compete with top teams
Need to convert close games
Bowling attack competitive
Rashid Khan still world’s best spinner

Tournament Implications:

Super Overs adding incredible drama
Group D most competitive group
Afghanistan not out of contention yet
South Africa favorites to top group
Every match crucial for qualification

Expert Analysis

Phew! Let’s catch a breath shall we! This has been exhilarating stuff from both teams. It was like a boxing match, with none of the opponents willing to bog down.

This was T20 cricket at its most dramatic — momentum swings, fearless strokeplay, and ice-cold execution under the highest pressure. In the end, it was South Africa who held their nerve when it mattered most, sealing victory on the final ball of a second Super Over in a true nail-biter.

Where to Watch T20 World Cup 2026

TV Broadcast:

India: Star Sports Network (English, Hindi, regional)
Pakistan: PTV Sports, Geo Super
Global: ICC official broadcasters

Live Streaming:

India: JioHotstar app and website
Pakistan: Tapmad
Global: ICC.tv

Next Matches in Tournament

South Africa’s Next Match:

vs Canada (Group D)
Expected to cruise after two tough wins

Afghanistan’s Next Match:

vs UAE (Must-win match)
Elimination scenario if they lose

Today’s Other Matches:

Australia vs Ireland (Match 14, Pallekele)

Conclusion

Despite losing wickets regularly, Afghanistan maintained the required rate, reaching 150 in the 17th over and dragging the contest to the wire. Every phase carried momentum shifts, reviews, and moments of tension. But even after matching South Africa through 40 overs and one Super Over, the second proved a bridge too far.

This match will be remembered as one of the greatest T20 World Cup encounters ever. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 84 was heroic, Ryan Rickelton’s 61 off 28 was explosive, and the double Super Over drama was unprecedented.

South Africa held their nerve when it mattered most – David Miller’s assault in the second Super Over and Keshav Maharaj’s final ball dismissal of Gurbaz will be replayed for years.

Afghanistan can hold their heads high despite the loss. They pushed the 2024 finalists to the absolute limit and proved they belong among the elite.

Final Verdict: Match of the tournament so far! Double Super Over thriller showcases why T20 World Cup is cricket’s most exciting format!