South Africa Edge Afghanistan in Double Super Over Classic: Cricket fans witnessed one of the most dramatic matches of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as South Africa defeated Afghanistan after a rare double Super Over at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The Group D match, played today (local time from 11:00 AM), went down to the final ball not once but twice, making it one of the most thrilling games of the tournament so far.
After both teams finished with identical scores of 187 runs, the first Super Over also ended in a tie, forcing a second Super Over where South Africa finally sealed the win.
Match Tied at 187 After Batting Fireworks
South Africa, batting first, posted 187/6 in 20 overs. The innings was built around a strong 114-run partnership for the second wicket between:
- Ryan Rickelton – 61 (28)
- Quinton de Kock – 59 (41)
Late contributions from David Miller (20)* and Marco Jansen (16 off 7) pushed the total to a competitive score.
Afghanistan’s chase was led by a brilliant knock from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed 84 off 42 balls, including 7 sixes. Useful cameos from Azmatullah Omarzai (22) and Rashid Khan (20) kept the chase alive.
In a dramatic final over filled with no-balls and a last-ball run-out, Afghanistan were bowled out for 187 in 19.4 overs, tying the match.
Match Summary
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 187/6 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan | 187 all out (19.4 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Gurbaz – 84 |
| Best Bowler | Ngidi – 3/26 |
First Super Over Also Ends in Tie
The drama continued as both teams scored 17 runs each in the first Super Over.
South Africa – 17
Balls: 1, 6, W, 4, 0, 6
Afghanistan matched the total with aggressive hitting, keeping the contest level and forcing a rare second Super Over.
South Africa Hold Nerve in Second Super Over
In the second Super Over, South Africa took control.
Second Super Over Scores
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 23/1 |
| Afghanistan | 19/1 |
David Miller played a key role with 16 runs off 4 balls, while Tristan Stubbs added quick runs at the start.
Chasing 24, Afghanistan were under pressure early after Mohammad Nabi fell for a duck. However, Rahmanullah Gurbaz fought back with three consecutive sixes, bringing the equation close.
Afghanistan needed 5 runs off the final ball, but Gurbaz was caught by David Miller, ending the match with Afghanistan finishing 19, just 4 runs short.
Player of the Match and Key Impact
Player of the Match: Lungi Ngidi (South Africa)
- 3 wickets for 26 runs in the main match
- 0/17 in the Super Over
Ngidi’s performance with the ball played a crucial role in keeping Afghanistan within reach and helping South Africa stay competitive throughout the game.
This contest will be remembered as one of the most dramatic games in T20 World Cup history, featuring:
- A match tie at 187
- A tied first Super Over
- A second Super Over finish
- Multiple momentum swings and last-ball drama
With this win, South Africa now have two wins from two matches, strengthening their position in Group D, while Afghanistan will take confidence from their fighting performance led by Gurbaz.
The Ahmedabad crowd witnessed a true T20 classic — a game that had everything from big partnerships to last-ball heartbreak and double Super Over drama.
