T20 World Cup Thriller: South Africa Edge Afghanistan After Dramatic Double Super Over
South Africa defeated Afghanistan in a nail-biting contest that required two Super Overs to produce a winner during match 13 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.
The high-scoring encounter saw both teams finish at 187 in their allotted 20 overs, forcing the game into a Super Over. Afghanistan batted first in the opening Super Over, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz taking on Lungi Ngidi. The pair managed to collect 17 runs, putting pressure on the Proteas.
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In reply, Fazalhaq Farooqi struck early by dismissing Dewald Brevis. However, Tristan Stubbs kept South Africa alive by smashing two crucial boundaries, including a six off the final ball, to level the scores and force a second Super Over.
In the decisive Super Over, Stubbs and David Miller returned to the crease. Afghanistan handed the ball to Omarzai, but the South African batters dominated. Stubbs opened with a six, while Miller followed with two more maximums, helping South Africa post 23 runs.
Chasing 24 for victory, Afghanistan sent Mohammad Nabi and Omarzai to bat. South Africa opted for spin, introducing Keshav Maharaj. The left-arm spinner began with a dot ball and then removed Nabi. Gurbaz responded with three consecutive sixes, bringing Afghanistan close. With six runs required off the final ball, Gurbaz attempted another big hit but was caught at point, sealing a dramatic win for South Africa.
Earlier, Afghanistan had won the toss and chose to bowl first. South Africa struggled to accelerate in the opening overs before Farooqi dismissed captain Aiden Markram with a slower delivery that was mistimed to mid-off.
Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock then rebuilt the innings, taking South Africa to 43 for 1 at the end of the powerplay. The left-handed duo continued their attacking approach, guiding the side to 98 for 1 after ten overs.
De Kock scored 59 off 41 balls and became South Africa’s highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, surpassing AB de Villiers’ 717 runs to reach 737 runs during the innings. Rickelton was more aggressive, hammering 61 off just 28 balls with five fours and four sixes.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan shifted the momentum by dismissing both de Kock and Rickelton within three balls. Stubbs fell for just one run, dismissed by Omarzai. Brevis contributed 23 off 19 balls, while Miller remained unbeaten on 20 from 15 deliveries. Marco Jansen added a quick 16 off seven balls as South Africa finished on 187 for 6. Omarzai claimed three wickets, Rashid picked up two, and Farooqi took one.
In response, Afghanistan’s openers Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran launched a strong start, racing to fifty in just four overs without losing a wicket. However, Ngidi struck twice in the fifth over, removing Zadran and Gulbadin Naib. Kagiso Rabada then dismissed Sediqullah Atal for a duck, leaving Afghanistan three wickets down in quick succession.
Despite the setbacks, Gurbaz continued his aggressive knock, scoring a brilliant 84 off 42 balls before edging a delivery to Maharaj at short third man. Afghanistan were 121 for 4 in the 13th over at that stage.
Rashid Khan added a quick 20 off 12 balls to keep the chase alive. With 24 required from the final two overs, Jansen conceded 11 runs but removed Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Afghanistan needed 13 runs in the last over, with Rabada bowling. The over began dramatically with a no-ball and a wide. Ahmad struck a six on the second legal delivery, and another wide followed as the batters completed a double. With two runs required from three balls, Farooqi was run out while attempting a second run, resulting in a tie and pushing the match into a Super Over.
Rashid Khan Calls Afghanistan ‘Unlucky’ After Heartbreaking Super Over Defeat Against South Africa
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan expressed disappointment after his side suffered a narrow defeat against South Africa in a dramatic double Super Over clash during match 13 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rashid said the result was heartbreaking for his team despite a spirited effort.
“The boys did an amazing job, especially with the way they started with the bat. To restrict them to under 190 was amazing. So unlucky to be part of the losing team. Gave everything on the ground. This wicket is good, played a lot in IPL on this wicket. Discussion with the team was ‘yes, they had a good start, but try to restrict them in the last 10 overs,’” Rashid said.
Reflecting on the crucial moments, Rashid said, “We had our opportunities. In the last Super Over as well, one ball five runs could go anyway. Could’ve been smarter. One dive, one ball could’ve finished it. Worked hard for the last one and a half years for this game to go to the next round. Very disappointing. Any time you’re representing your country is a proud moment. Will try my best to keep them as up to date as possible.”
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