South African fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada have been giving Afghanistan two crucial early blows in consecutive overs during the chase in their Group D match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 11.
Afghanistan shaken by double duck in T20 World Cup 2026 match
On the fourth ball of the fifth over, Lungi Ngidi dismissed Gulbadin Naib for a duck on two balls, and then Kagiso Rabada sent Sediqullah Atal back to the dugout for a duck on three balls thanks to a brilliant catch by Marco Jansson on the second ball of the sixth over in the Group D encounter in Ahmedabad.
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How Lungi Ngidi became better than Gulbadin Naib
Ngidi bowled a clever slower ball to bamboozle the former Afghanistan captain, losing his pace and turning his fingers on the seam. The deputy cautiously moved forward to defend himself. But the ball did something unexpected. After pitching, it changed direction slightly and went back in.
As Naib tried to block it, the ball caught the thick inner edge of his bat instead of the middle. Unfortunately for the Afghan team, the ball bounced in the air and went back towards the bowler.
Nevertheless, the task was not at all easy as Ngidi had to react quickly. The Proteas star sprinted forward, dived down, and safely grabbed the ball with both hands just before it touched the ground and completed a pure athletic catch to send NB back to the dugout.
Afghanistan is in big trouble, Kagiso Rabada gave important success
A few balls later, Kagiso Rabada gave South Africa another big breakthrough, leaving Afghanistan in big trouble as they chase 189 runs to win the T20 World Cup 2026 group match. Rabada bowled a back-of-a-length delivery which turned towards left-hander Sediqullah Atal.
After pitching the ball moved towards his body. Atal tried to play a flick shot towards the leg side. Although the Afghanistan batsman came inside the line to play the shot, he could not stop it. The ball went into the air and stopped near the short fine leg region.
Marco Jansson, who was stationed there, moved a little further. Using his height and long arms, he slid to his side and took a clean catch with both hands. Atal was out after scoring 0 runs off 3 balls and South Africa took firm control of the match in Ahmedabad.
– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) 11 February 2026
to be continued…
