South Africa vs Afghanistan, played in match number 13 of the 2026 T20 World Cup, has ended in drama. Needing 2 runs from the last three balls and one wicket, the Proteas managed to score one run out and the match ended in a tie after the Super Over. This was the first Super Over of this edition of the T20 World Cup.
South Africa came in full of confidence after an impressive win over Canada in their first game. After being invited to bat first, the Proteas’ innings progressed rapidly after losing the wicket of their captain Aiden Markram early in the innings. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton thrashed the Afghan bowlers. Both the batsmen scored half-centuries and looked in good form.
De Kock and Rickelton’s furious performance
De Kock used all his experience in the game and scored 59 runs in 41 balls at a strike rate of 143.90, hitting five fours and three sixes. He was the mediator between the two. Rickelton scored at a brisk pace, scoring 61 runs from 28 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 217.86. They made a partnership of 114 runs for the second wicket.
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Later came cameo appearances from David Miller, Dewald Brewis and Marco Jensen, with the latter scoring 16 runs from 7 balls and finishing at 187/6. Afghan captain Rashid Khan took two wickets, while Azmatullah Omarzai took three wickets.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the sole warrior
Chasing the target, the Afghans got off to a great start by scoring 50 runs on the board in four overs. Openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmullah Gurbaz came out firing from the top. Between the two the latter was the aggressive one. The former scored 10 out of 12 balls for the first 51 runs. The 2024 finalist took two quick wickets in the space of 1 run. From 51/1 to 52/3.
However, Afghanistan recovered well after Gurbaz continued the attack from one end. The wicketkeeper batsman scored 84 runs on 42 balls. Azmatullah Umarzai’s short cameo, 22 off 17 balls, and captain Rashid Khan’s 20 off 12 balls kept the Afghans in the game. They needed 13 runs in the last over, Kagiso Rabada was bowling the last over.
The experienced fast bowler faltered and bowled a no ball on the very first ball. 12 runs were needed off six balls, and then a wide Noor hit a six off the second ball of the over, with 5 runs needed off the last 3. Then, once again, no balls were bowled and 2 runs were needed off 3.
Rabada ran and while completing two runs, Fazalhaq Farooqui was run out on a free hit ball and Afghanistan was all out. The match went into a Super Over, with Afghanistan scoring 17 runs in the Super Over and South Africa being 17/1, and the match went into the second Super Over of the game.
In the second Super Over, South Africa made 23 and Afghanistan chased down 24. With the bowling of Keshav Maharaj, they almost won, as Gurbaz hit three sixes in three balls and with five needed on the last ball, was caught at backward point and the Proteas won the game in the second Super Over.
Fans react to South Africa’s win in double super over against Afghanistan in T20 World Cup 2026
There hasn’t been a better CWC game than this.
I feel sorry for Gurbaz but I have to say SA were incredible on the field today.#SAvsAfg– A (@AwaisBajwa17) 11 February 2026
South Africa may have won the match, but the world will remember the struggle of Rahmanullah Gurbaz.🫡#SAvAFG #SAvsAFG #AFGvSA pic.twitter.com/tigzpwzLpS
– David (@david315851) 11 February 2026
Afghanistan never fails to provide a hearty meal to cricket lovers. Duration!#SAvsAFG
– RRRR👑 (@__RRRR__8) 11 February 2026
second super over
i love you jay shah #SAvsAFG pic.twitter.com/PgAV7tOFMW-Shreya (@HinduHearted) 11 February 2026
Afghanistan missed out on registering a big win due to lack of experience.
The 5th ball of the 20th over was a free-hit ball. The only way to get out was run out and the Afghan batsman was run out while taking a risky second run!
Either way it was one of the most exciting T20 International games ever!!#SAvsAFG– Jatan Acharya (@jatanacharya) 11 February 2026
you’re gonna feel #Afghanistan
what a match
what a drama#SAvsAFG pic.twitter.com/Ix2oTJu52y– Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129) 11 February 2026
What a great match between South Africa and Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/G1mIVvoVyX
– TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) 11 February 2026
The condition of fans in Super Over, this is absolute cinema
what is the mail
Ajmat is playing well #SAvsAFG#ICCMensT20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ZzOx4Ymwjy– Akshay Sharma (@akshayshar30) 11 February 2026
Nabi bottled it, man. Gurbaz should have opened.
– Sojith (@Sk_twitzz) 11 February 2026
Fuck you Nabi Afghanistan your one job was to send Gurbaz
– No (@seaweedbrainxn) 11 February 2026
Who had the mind to send senior citizen Nabi ahead of Gurbaz? Truly the Afghans deserve this for their extreme cruelty.
– PK (@LM10Supremacy) 11 February 2026
Also read: Sikandar Raza overtakes Saim Ayub to take No. 1 all-rounder spot; Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakraborty remain at the top position
