South Africa defeated Afghanistan in a nail-biting T20 World Cup 2026 Group D clash at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Both teams finished level on 187 runs, forcing two Super Overs before the Proteas sealed victory by the barest of margins.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Afghanistan a flying start with a 26-ball half-century. He built strong partnerships with Ibrahim Zadran and Darwish Rasooli, keeping the chase alive after South Africa set a target of 188. Despite the spirited effort, Afghanistan fell short in the Super Over shootout.
Earlier, South Africa posted 187/6, powered by a 114-run second-wicket stand between Ryan Rickelton (61) and Quinton de Kock (59). Rashid Khan’s bowlers staged a comeback in the second half, preventing the Proteas from crossing 200 for a second successive game.
Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, entered the match needing a win after losing to New Zealand. South Africa, who beat Canada in their opener, moved closer to securing a Super 8 spot with this dramatic win.
The clash showcased high-quality batting, tight bowling, and nerve-wracking finishes, leaving fans in Ahmedabad stunned by the intensity of the contest.
