South Africa's Proteas secured a narrow victory over Afghanistan in their T20 World Cup Group D match at Ahmedabad stadium, ending in a second super over after scores tied twice at 187 runs each. Key performances included Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 84 for Afghanistan and Ryan Rickelton's 61 for South Africa. The match featured intense pressure moments, including run-outs and boundary hits that kept fans on edge.
The T20 World Cup Group D encounter between South Africa and Afghanistan unfolded into one of the tournament's most thrilling contests on February 11, 2026, at Ahmedabad stadium. After Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl, South Africa posted 187 for six in their 20 overs. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock built a 100-run partnership, with Rickelton scoring 61 off 28 balls—his first T20 World Cup half-century—and de Kock making 59 off 41. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan disrupted the innings by taking two wickets in one over, finishing with 2-28, while Azmatullah Omarzai claimed 3-41.
Afghanistan's chase matched South Africa's total exactly at 187 all out. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the effort with 84 off 42 balls, including four fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 200. The innings started strongly, with Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran reaching 50 runs without loss by the fourth over, contrasting South Africa's slower PowerPlay of 43 for one. Lungi Ngidi starred for South Africa, taking 3-26, including two wickets in the fifth over. Keshav Maharaj dismissed Gurbaz in the 13th over, and a run-out followed soon after.
The match tied in regulation play after Kagiso Rabada bowled a wide and two no-balls in the final over, allowing Afghanistan a chance. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was run out attempting a second run off a free hit, forcing a super over. In the first super over, Afghanistan scored 17, which South Africa matched thanks to Dewald Brevis's six and Tristan Stubbs's four and six. The second super over saw South Africa score 23, with Stubbs and David Miller hitting sixes. Afghanistan needed 24 but managed only partial success as Gurbaz hit three sixes before being caught off the final ball, securing South Africa's win by four runs overall.
This victory marks South Africa's second in the group, following their earlier match, with the next game against New Zealand scheduled for February 14.
