Afghanistan Suffer Heartbreaking Loss in a Match for the Ages

In a Group D clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, South Africa and Afghanistan delivered a nail-biting contest that ultimately went to two super overs in one match. Asked to bat first, the Proteas scored 187 for 6, built around half-centuries from some of the best T20 batsmen in the world, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton.

Afghanistan’s reply began shakily, but the chase was revived by a fearless attack from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Even as wickets fell at crucial moments, Afghanistan held their nerve in the closing overs, levelling the scores in a tense finish to push the match into the first Super Over of the tournament. The drama was not over yet, as the match went to a second super over, as Tristan Stubbs smashed a six off the last ball of the first Super Over, when 7 runs were needed off the last ball.

SA vs AFG Super Over in the T20 World Cup

This match showed how pressure can completely change a contest that appeared done and dusted twice. With 12 runs required from the final over and only one wicket in hand, South Africa seemed to have sealed the game, but Kagiso Rabada’s costly no-balls opened the door for Afghanistan. Suddenly, the equation went to two runs needed from three deliveries.

In a moment of panic and miscalculation, Afghanistan attempted a second run that was never available. The throw from the deep was accurate, showing a complete breakdown in judgment between the batters. The run-out of Fazalhaq Farooqi levelled the scores and pushed the match into a Super Over. A desperate dive was needed to avoid the situation, but ultimately, the match went to another AFG vs SA Super Over.

South Africa Moves Past the Afghans to Win the Second Super Over

Afghanistan once again seemed to have the game in their grasp as South Africa required seven runs off the last bowl of the first Super Over. However, Tristan Stubbs turned the contest on its head by sending the last delivery over the ropes, dragging South Africa into a second Super Over and extending the drama.

The second super over presented Afghanistan with an almost impossible equation, as they were required to chase down 24 runs off the over, courtesy of one of the best finishers in the world, David Miller, as he scored 16 runs off 4 balls. When Afghanistan came to the chase, the first ball ended up as a dot to Mohammad Nabi, and he was caught out on the next delivery, so Afghanistan required a six on each of the last four balls.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who had already produced a match-defining performance, nearly pulled off the impossible by striking three consecutive sixes off Keshav Maharaj. Needing five runs off the last ball, a boundary would have led to yet another Super Over, while a six would have ended the game in Afghanistan's favour. Gurbaz looked to cut the ball over the 30-yard circle for a four, but he found David Miller positioned at point, bringing an end to Afghanistan’s challenge.