Double Super Over Madness: South Africa Snatch Victory from Afghanistan by 4 Runs
Ahmedabad, 11 February (Sports Desk)
-Afghanistan Tied with South Africa in Epic T20 World Cup Thriller
– South Africa Win 2nd Super Over by 4 Runs
-Player of the Match: Lungi Ngidi
In one of the most dramatic and historic matches in T20 World Cup history, South Africa edged out Afghanistan after two Super Overs in their Group D clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, played on February 11, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.
This became the first time in T20 World Cup history that a match required two Super Overs to decide the winner. The regulation 20 overs ended in a tie at 187 each, the first Super Over was also tied at 17-17, and South Africa finally prevailed in the second Super Over by 4 runs (23-0 vs 19-2).
South Africa’s win keeps them level at the top of Group D with 4 points (alongside New Zealand), while Afghanistan suffered their second consecutive defeat and face elimination risks.
Match Summary
- Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first.
- South Africa Innings: 187/6 (20 overs)
- Afghanistan Innings: 187 (19.4 overs)
- Result: Match tied after 20 overs and first Super Over; South Africa won the second Super Over by 4 runs.
The match featured explosive batting, dramatic collapses, costly extras in the final over, and nerve-wracking Super Overs that had fans on the edge.
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South Africa Batting Highlights
South Africa posted a competitive total after a strong Powerplay and middle-order acceleration.
- Ryan Rickelton: 61 off 28 balls – blistering start.
- Quinton de Kock: 59 off 41 balls – solid anchor.
- Key partnership: 116-run opening stand between Rickelton and de Kock.
- Later contributions: David Miller and others chipped in.
- Afghanistan bowling: Azmatullah Omarzai 3/41, Rashid Khan 2/28 – kept them to 187/6.
Afghanistan Batting Highlights
Chasing 188, Afghanistan started aggressively but lost momentum midway.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Explosive 84 off 42 balls – kept Afghanistan in the hunt with big hitting.
- Middle-order resistance: Azmatullah Omarzai (22), Rashid Khan (20).
- South Africa fightback: Reduced them from 51/0 to 52/3.
- Dramatic final over: Kagiso Rabada conceded no-balls and a wide; Noor Ahmad hit a six; Fazalhaq Farooqi’s run-out tied the scores at 187 in 19.4 overs.
Super Overs Drama
- First Super Over (Afghanistan batted first): Afghanistan 17/0 (Azmatullah smashed Ngidi for fours and six early). South Africa replied with 17/1 – Tristan Stubbs hit a last-ball six off Azmatullah Omarzai to tie it.
- Second Super Over (South Africa batted first): South Africa 23/0 (David Miller 16 off 4 balls, boundaries flowing). Afghanistan 19/2 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit three consecutive sixes but Keshav Maharaj took wickets, including one off the final ball; Noor Ahmad run out attempting winning runs).
Player of the Match
Lungi Ngidi (South Africa) – for his match-turning spell of 3/26 in 4 overs, including key wickets of Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib to halt Afghanistan’s early momentum. He also bowled the first Super Over. Post-match, Ngidi said: “I’ve lost so much weight today. Never been that stressed in my life in a cricket game.”
His performance was pivotal in restricting Afghanistan and earning him the award unanimously.
This thriller showcased high-quality cricket, with South Africa’s composure under pressure prevailing in the end. Afghanistan’s brave fight, led by Gurbaz and Rashid, made it unforgettable.
