South Africa Edge Afghanistan In Epic Double Super Over Thriller At Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium
Ahmedabad: In one of the most dramatic encounters in T20 World Cup 2026 history, South Africa defeated Afghanistan after two consecutive super overs in their Group D clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (Feb 11).
The foundation for this extraordinary finish was laid in the final over of the regulation match, with Afghanistan requiring 13 runs off the last six deliveries. Rabada’s opening delivery – a no-ball followed by a wide – reduced the target to 11 off 6 balls. A maximum sandwiched between two dot deliveries brought the equation down to 5 runs needed from three balls.
With their last wicket standing, Afghanistan received another lifeline when Rabada overstepped again. The batsmen managed two runs off the no-ball, leaving just 2 required from three deliveries. Noor Ahmed launched the free-hit toward long off and attempted a second run, but Fazalhaq Farooqi fell short of his crease at the non-striker’s end, resulting in a run out – the only dismissal possible on a free-hit delivery. The scores were tied at 187, forcing the contest into a super over.
First Super Over: AFG 17/0, SA 17/1
Afghanistan opened the batting with Azmatullah and Gurbaz facing Ngidi’s deliveries. The pair accumulated 17 runs without loss, with Azmatullah contributing 16 runs including a four and a six.
Chasing 18 for victory, South Africa started strongly as Dewald Brewis smashed a six off Farooqi’s second ball. However, the Afghan pacer struck back immediately, dismissing Brewis on the very next delivery with 11 runs still needed from the final three balls. Stubbs then scored 10 runs off those remaining deliveries, including a six off the last ball, to level the scores once more and trigger a second super over.
Second Super Over: SA 23/0, AFG 19/2
South Africa batted first in the second super over, with Azmatullah bowling to Stubbs and Miller. The experienced duo plundered 23 runs, powered by three sixes and two doubles.
Facing a target of 24, Afghanistan sent Nabi and Gurbaz to the crease against spinner Keshav Maharaj. Nabi missed the first delivery before departing on the second ball. With 24 runs required from the final four balls, Gurbaz launched an audacious counter-attack, striking three consecutive sixes to bring the equation down dramatically. Maharaj then bowled a wide, leaving Afghanistan needing 5 runs off the final delivery – a boundary would have forced an unprecedented third super over. However, Gurbaz was dismissed on that final ball, handing South Africa a barely-believable victory in one of the tournament’s most thrilling finishes.