In one of the most unforgettable encounters of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa Defeated afghanistan There was a nervous finish in the second Super Over after both the teams ended tied on 187 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium. What unfolded was not just a cricket match, but a spectacle of power-hitting, moments of pressure and extraordinary resilience from both sides.
After Afghanistan chose to bowl, South Africa posted a strong score of 187/6 in 20 overs. Yet, what seemed like a competitive total soon turned into a dramatic saga that required not one, but two Super Overs to decide the winner.
Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock laid the foundation
South Africa’s innings had a bad start aiden markram Fell early for just 5 runs. however, quinton de kock He played an inning of 59 runs in 41 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. His timing on the off side kept the scoreboard moving.
This is where the real momentum came from Ryan RickeltonWho played a brilliant inning of 61 runs in just 28 balls. His five fours and four sky-scraping sixes shifted the momentum strongly in South Africa’s favor in the middle overs. Dewald Brevis scored 23 runs david miller Added 20 runs to ensure that the pace of the innings was not lost.
In the death overs, marco janson Provided a valuable final surge by scoring 16 runs from just seven balls, taking the total to 187.
For Afghanistan, Azmatullah Omarzai While impressed by taking three wickets Rashid Khan Took two important wickets to prevent the total from crossing the 200 mark.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz led Afghanistan fearlessly
Afghanistan’s reply started with fireworks. Rahmanullah Gurbaz He played one of the best innings of the tournament, scoring 84 runs in 42 balls with the help of seven sixes and four fours. He faced the South African fast bowlers fearlessly, eliminating length balls and punishing any short balls.
However, wickets kept falling at the other end. ibrahim zadran made 12, but Gulbadin Naib And Sediqullah Atal Was out cheaply, which increased the pressure on chasing the target. dervish rasuli And Azmatullah Omarzai Attempted to rebuild, while Rashid’s 20 off 12 provided late momentum.
Despite regular strikes lungi ngidiWho finished with three wickets, Afghanistan remained in the hunt. With tension running high and the equation tightening in the final over, Afghanistan managed to level the score at 187 before being bowled out in 19.4 overs, sending the contest into a Super Over.
The first super over ended in a tie for the second
In the Super Over, Afghanistan batted first and scored 17 runs while setting a strong target. South Africa responded with equal composure, scoring 17 runs and surprisingly the match was tied once again. The crowd present at the Narendra Modi Stadium could not believe what they were seeing.
Second Super Over delivers great drama
With tensions at their peak, South Africa batted first in the second Super Over and scored a blistering 23 runs, swinging the momentum back in their favour. Afghanistan needed something extraordinary – and Gurbaz almost had it.
He hit three sixes in a row, reducing the equation to six runs required on the last ball. The stadium stopped breathing as the last ball was bowled. Keshav MaharajThe responsibility was handed over, but he remained composed under immense pressure and dismissed Gurbaz on the last ball to seal a dramatic victory for the Proteas.
Here’s how fans reacted:
What a game …!! SAvsAFG🔥
– Faf du Plessis (@faf1307) 11 February 2026
📍Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/o2ZcXA0qTj
– Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) 11 February 2026
Never seen a head height bouncer or slow ball going for a six today.. Not one, but keep it up yes 🙄
– Hershel Gibbs (@hershybru) 11 February 2026
#SAvAFG Game now! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ZL4qWFHJ3F
– Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) 11 February 2026
He
Was
Incredible!!!!
– Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) 11 February 2026
Admin is watching #SAvAFG 😯 pic.twitter.com/IMmeXvX9da
– Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) 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
We’ve seen it, we’ve seen it – it’s a classic!#T20WorldCup #SAvAFG pic.twitter.com/FUIft1f0Ip
– Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) 11 February 2026
What a match! Full Movie!!
This match is great! Maybe Afghanistan will be out of the World Cup!! 😅😄😁#Afghanistan #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/nuerlq5vnI
– Maddy (@itsme__maddy) 11 February 2026
What an exciting end to a heart-stopping competition 🙌
South Africa managed to achieve a thrilling win in the second Super Over#SAvsAFG #T20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/nMAaQTJDQT– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 11 February 2026
What a match…
Gurbaz is the real hero but Keshav Maharaj is at his best.
super over
What a game #SAvsAFG #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ucrvk4OAYC– shivamm_.ox (@Shivammrafiganj) 11 February 2026
What a match, incredible game of cricket🏏#SAvsAFG 🔥#T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sfZctUKvYX
– Muhammad_Salman (@Muhd_salman_93) 11 February 2026
Afghanistan South Africa
What a match, it was fun😭😭#SAvsAFG pic.twitter.com/g0EQzlPNtg– Raja Babu (@GaurangBhardwa1) 11 February 2026
Ohhh Afghanistan…so close, yet so far.
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) 11 February 2026
#AfghanAtlan Scored 19 runs and missed 4 runs in the second Super Over, giving South Africa the lead in a thrilling contest. #T20WorldCup | #AFGvSA | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/DOUxAkmrIo
– Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) 11 February 2026
watching heart patients #SAvsAFG game : pic.twitter.com/5nbgZMvWh6
-Umdar Tamkar (@Umdar Tamkar) 11 February 2026
The man, the myth, the legend
super over 😁#SAvsAFG pic.twitter.com/cs5AI6E5Gm– Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) 11 February 2026
Rabada is the top bowler in the world and he couldn’t stop numbers 10-11 from scoring 11 runs in his last over… and look at the wides and no balls… the real chokers are the South Africans and the Afghans, the real warriors.. #SAvsAFG #T20WorldCup2026
– Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) 11 February 2026
South Africa needs 18 runs to secure their place in the Super Over. Afghanistan need to defend 17 runs to stay in the World Cup.#SAvsAFG
– Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdulla_0mar) 11 February 2026
One of the best matches I’ve ever seen, sadly the result didn’t go his way 😭#SAvsAFG
– नानी (@nani_SSMBfan) 11 February 2026
Also read: T20 World Cup 2026: This is why Corbyn Bosch is not playing today’s SA vs AFG match
