The match between Afghanistan and South Africa on 11 February 2026 in the group stage of the T20 World Cup has been one of the most dramatic and captivating matches played in cricket. Both sides struck 187 in 20 overs and it went to the first Super Over of the tournament.
That was tied as well, and South Africa finally won the second one. A simple scorecard, the top players, the records and the outcome of the score on Group D. It will help fill you in on the game if you weren’t there.
Match Overview and Result
It was the 13th game in Group D of ICC T20 World Cup 2026. It was played from 11:00 AM local time and hosted at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Afghanistan won the toss and went first. South Africa were all out for 187 in their 20 overs allowing Afghanistan to set a target of 188. Afghanistan had been chasing with all their might but eventually they were run out for 187 in 19.4 overs, even though it ended a deadlock.
So, it was time for a Super Over to find a winner. That was not enough to break the deadlock and a second Super Over was played. It was won and the two points earned by South Africa. Lungi Ngidi was declared Player of the Match after his impressive performance with the ball where he picked up 3 wickets and scored 26 runs.
The match was the quintessential T20 cricket world with all the ingredients a T20 fan could wish for: big hitting, fast wickets, a run-out to end the chase and two Super Overs.
South Africa’s Innings: Rickelton Leads the Way
The South Africans suffered an early loss in the third over with Aiden Markram dismissed leaving 12 runs on the scoreboard. That might have been problematic but Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock took control from the off.
Two batsmen scored 114 runs jointly for the 2nd wicket. Rickelton struck off 28 balls to score 61, and South Africa scored 131/3 at the drinks break in the 14th over. That was a solid foundation to a large score.
De Kock and Rickelton were both out in the 13th over, at 126 and 127. Peter Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs then joined the dots in the next over to fall at 155 and 159 respectively.
Nevertheless, in the final two overs, the South Africans managed to score 28 runs. The total was eventually tied at 187/6 when Marco Jansen was out on the last ball and David Miller finished on 20 off the final ball.
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Afghanistan’s Chase: Gurbaz Nearly Wins It
Afghanistan had to score 188 and they started off with reckless abandon. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was on 32 off 15 balls when the team reached 50 in just 3.6 overs.
The innings dipped a bit after that. Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib and Sediqullah Atal were all out and Afghanistan were left 52/3.
Gurbaz and Darwish Rasooli then went about rebuilding the innings with a stand of 69 runs. Afghanistan went to 100 in 10.6 Overs. Gurbaz took the lead with 84 off 42 deliveries, scoring seven sixes. His first 121 was out, and then Rasooli followed with a 121 as well.
There was still a chance for Afghanistan. They ended up on 150 in 16.2 overs, but the wickets began to fall rapidly. Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman all knocked for the sixth wicket from the 16th to 19th over. Miller caught the ball which eliminated Rashid.
The final act was at 187. Fazalhaq Farooqi was stumped with the ball when he was running out, bringing the hunt to a close and tying the score. Lungi Ngidi’s 3/26 ensured that South Africa was still in the game.
Super Over 1 and Super Over 2 Explained
If the game is tied in a T20 World Cup game, then a Super Over decides the tie. Play is done in 1 over each with the side who scored the most runs declared the winner. Again if that’s tied, another Super Over.
In the first Super Over, both the sides batted first and Afghanistan scored 17 runs without a single loss. South Africa had to score 18 to win the match but managed to score 17/1 and it remained level.
South Africa got the better of Pakistan in the second Super Over and went unbeaten for 23 in the 11 overs. The standout performance was by David Miller’s bat. Afghanistan were given 24 but only managed to field 19/2, South Africa won.
| Round | Team | Score |
| 20 overs | South Africa | 187/6 |
| 20 overs | Afghanistan | 187 all out |
| Super Over 1 | Afghanistan | 17/0 |
| Super Over 1 | South Africa | 17/1 |
| Super Over 2 | South Africa | 23/0 |
| Super Over 2 | Afghanistan | 19/2 |
Afghanistan would have secured the victory twice, in the chase and the first Super Over, but failed to do so.
Key Turning Points
The outcome was the result of 5 moments:
- Early wicket (2.3 overs): Markram got the wicket after a few balls but South Africa bounced back soon.
- Rickelton and de Kock’s partnership: A 114-run stand that would help South Africa to build a big score.
- Afghanistan’s early flop (4.2 to 5.2 overs): Three wickets came from 51 to 52, marking a significant slowdown after a flying start.
- Gurbaz got dismissed (12.3 overs) when Afghanistan still needed 67 runs from 45 balls.
- A Super Over would result from the final run-out (19.4 overs) to make the game level.
Records and Key Stats
This game yielded a few interesting statistics:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 84 is the highest individual score of any Afghan batsman in Men’s T20 World Cup.
- Gurbaz struck seven sixes, which is the highest number of boundaries scored by an Afghan batsman in a single innings during the T20 World Cup and had seven sixes.
- Quinton de Kock moved into the top spot in South Africa’s T20 World Cup run scoring list with 737 runs, overtaking AB de Villiers with 717 runs.
- This was the first Super Over of the tournament and it required a second one to win.
These statistics reveal the extent to which the game had to offer to fans and stat-loving enthusiasts.
Standout Performers
With the bat: Gurbaz was the best to play on the field in the chase, keeping the Afghanismen on the field till the end. Rickelton was at 61 off 28 before giving South Africa the quick start they needed and he partnered with de Kock to build the total.
Ball not in play: Lungi Ngidi was 1/29, but still won Player of the Match. Azmatullah Omarzai was the best bowler among the Afghan bowlers, with 3/41.
In the big moments: David Miller got through 20 off him, caught Rashid Khan and his yardarm was the thing that got South Africa home in the second Super Over.
What This Means For Group D
South Africa recorded two points and were 2-2 away from two wins in group D, and Afghanistan had lost both of their games. This loss is a lot closer and Rashid Khan draw parallels with the loss to Australia in 2023.
It was crucial for Afghanistan to recover as soon as possible. For up to date group standings, see the latest points table.
Final Word
This game had a strong start, a shaky middle, a run-out at the end and two Super Overs. Gurbaz and Rickelton lit the fire on the batting and Ngidi and Omarzai helped South Africa take the finishing touch with the ball. This Ahmedabad thriller will be the benchmark for tension and skill, whenever Afghanistan is to face South Africa again. For future T20 World Cup match reports and updates, bookmark this page.
FAQs
1.Who won this T20 World Cup match between?
South Africa won. In the first Super Over both the sides were deadlocked on 17 in 20 overs.In the first Super Over the two teams went for a 17 tie in 20 overs. Then, South Africa made 23 in the second Super Over and got the Afghan side down to 19/2.
2.Who was Player of the Match?
Lungi Ngidi picked up the 3 wickets for 26 runs. His bowling was instrumental in keeping South Africa in the game in a stressful chase.
3.How many runs did Rahmanullah Gurbaz get?
Gurbaz scored 84 off 42 deliveries while hitting seven sixes. Although it didn’t help him win the match, it was the highest by an Afghan batter in the Men’s T20 World Cup.
4.What was the score of the Super over?
In Super Over 1, South Africa and Afghanistan both scored 17/1. South Africa won Super Over 2 by scoring 23/0 and Afghanistan just 19/2.
5.Where and when was the match played?
The game was played at Ahmedabad, India at Narendra Modi Stadium on 11 February 2026. It was the 13th game of Group D, which started at 11:00AM local time.
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