South Africa Vs Afghanistan Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Proteas Hang On To Clinch Double Super Over Against Afghans

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan(c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Ishaq, Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai

South Africa: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka

Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan lost their T20 World Cup opener to New Zealand, and find themselves in a do-or-die situation already when they take on South Africa today. A defeat today could end their hopes of qualifying for the Super Eights, even if they manage to win the Associate teams.

South Africa and Afghanistan have met three times in the shorter format. All three matches have ended in favor of South Africa.

Australia vs Ireland will follow this fixture which will take place at Colombo, Premadasa with the final fixture of the day being England vs West Indies, at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.

AFG have won the toss and elected to bowl first.

South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi

Afghanistan (Playing XI): Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan(c), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock take the crease for the Proteas as AFG prepare to start off with the new ball. The Afghans will eye early burst against a potent batting attack.

Proteas have been rocked early with the wicket of Aiden Markram, their captain as they find themselves 12/1 after three overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi with the breakthrough for Afghanistan and that's the start Rashid Khan would have desired after winning the toss.

SA 12/1 (3 Overs)

South Africa have found their second gear with Quinton de Kock going after the AFG bowlers. The former captain alongside Ryan Rickelton have taken SA to 43/1 inside the Powerplay. More such hitting is required if they are to get to a mammoth score.

SA 43/1 (6 Overs)

Afghanistan bowling is going to the cleaners by the Proteas' batters. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton are going after the AFG bowlers at 9.8 runs per over. Rashid Khan needs to rethink his strategy or else it could be worse in the final 10 overs.

SA 98/1 (10 Overs)

Rashid Khan struck as he sent back the dangerous Quinton de Kock for 59 as Afghanistan look to get back in the game. QdK and Ryan Rickleton were going after the AFG bowlers but a timely dismissal as relieved some of the AFG nerves and bring them back in the game.

SA 127/2 (13 Overs)

Afghanistan have struck with five overs to go and need more such wickets if they are to curb the SA run-flow. Ryan Rickelton (61) was the last wicket to fall and Rashid Khan's double-strike has brought the Afghan Atlans right back in the contest.

SA 135/3 (15 Overs)

At 15th over, Proteas were reeling at 159/5 but Marco Jansen and David Miller's late fireworks have ensured that the 2024 finalists have ended up with 187/6 in 20 overs. Miller and Jansen blasted some fours and sixes in the final few overs of the innings to put pressure on AFG.

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

A couple of boundaries to start for Afghanistan with Rahmanullah Gurbaz going after the SA bowlers in the first two overs. With a mammoth score to chase, AFG need a good Powerplay and none better than Rahmanullah Gurbaz to get things moving.

AFG 23/0 (2 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

Out of no where, Afghanistan find themselves 2 down with 51 runs on the board. Two wickets in a single over from Lungi Ngidi has pegged back the Rashid Khan-led side. However, the positive thing is Gurbaz is still at the crease and going nicely.

AFG 51/2 (5 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

More misery heaped on Afghanistan as they lost their third wicket with the dismissal of Sediqullah Atal. The Proteas have slowed the run-rate down a bit and they know, one brings two and AFG would fall like a pack of cards.

AFG 64/3 (7 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

A superb fifty from Rahmanullah Gurbaz has kept the scoreboard ticking and the run-rate going. Gurbaz also completed 500 runs in the T20 WCs and will be looking to hang around just a bit more and take his team near the SA total.

AFG 84/3 (9 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

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.

AFG 114/3 (12 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz fell for 84 and immediately, the Afghans lost another, put more pressure on themselves. The Atlans need some calm heads to reach the target of 188 and none better than the Professor, Mohammad Nabi.

AFG 127/5 (14 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

Rashid Khan has entered the crease and needs to get going for the Afghans. They lost Mohammad Nabi and with six down, SA have their noses in front.

AFG 147/6 (16 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

Three overs remain and Afghans require 30 runs with Rashid Khan at the crease. Drama and more drama to come.

AFG 158/6 (17 Overs)

SA 187/6 (20 Overs)

It's Rashid Khan or never for Afghans now! If he gets out here, it's all over for the Afghanistan team and their hopes at the T20 World Cup 2026 as well.

Wow! Let's catch our breath here! Noor Ahmad almost brought victory to Afghanistan, with Kagiso Rabada being the culprit for bowling two no-balls in the final over, to hand the initiative back to Afghanistan. However, a run-out of the third last ball sees Farooqi fall short of his crease and take the game to Super Over.

RSA187/6 (20)

AFG187 (19.4)

Azmat and Gurbaz walk out to bat in the Super Over and Lungi Ngidi will bowl this Super Over. How will things pan out here? Let's wait and watch. More drama expected.

17 RUNS from Afghanistan as Azmat hammers Ngidi for a four, six and a four. The Proteas look shell-shocked out there with the momentum now with the Afghans as they prepare to bowl and defend 17 runs.

David Miller and Dewald Brevis at the crease to chase down 18 runs and win it for South Africa. Fazalhaq Farooqi to bowl for AFG.

What's this! What's happening in Ahmedabad today? Fazalhaq Farooqi bowls a low full-toss and Tristan Stubbs hammers down the ground and takes the game to another Super Over. My word!

Tristan Stubbs and David Miller start off for the Proteas as AFG need a wicket or two to pile pressure on the opponents.

24 runs to get for the Afghans as Proteas have put a score that is an improbable task. Big few deliveries to come for the Afghanistan team and Proteas know, a couple of dot balls and they win the game.

Azmat and Nabi to take the crease for the Afghans with Proteas to go with spin in the form of Keshav Maharaj.

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 opponent willing to bog down. In the end, the experience shone through as Proteas held their nerve and clinched the match, and breaking Afghanistan hearts.

South Africa beat Afghanistan via the Super Over

SA 187/6 (20)

AFG 187 (19.4)