In one of the most dramatic contests in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 history, South Africa and Afghanistan produced a breathtaking encounter in Ahmedabad, with the match requiring not one but two Super Overs to decide a winner, a first in T20 World Cup history. In a thriller full of momentum shifts, power hitting and nerve-shredding finishes, South Africa eventually prevailed by a narrow margin in the second Super Over to secure a Group D victory.
Batters dominate in Ahmedabad
South Africa were put into bat and posted a competitive 187 for 6 in 20 overs, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61). Their partnership anchored the innings after an early strike from Fazalhaq Farooqi removed captain Aiden Markram, and late hitting from David Miller and Marco Jansen ensured a challenging total on a wicket that encouraged free scoring.
Afghanistan’s reply was a roller-coaster from the start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz unleashed a blistering 84, thriving on a quick outfield and adding multiple sixes to keep his side in the hunt. Though regular wickets slowed the chase at times, Afghanistan battled back through the middle overs and maintained the required rate, but it looked like game over when Kagiso Rabada dismissed Noor Ahmad in the last over, but it turned out to be no-ball. Another no-ball & couple of big hits meant followed by a critical run-out of Fazalhaq Farooqi tied the match and sent the game into Super Over territory.
First super over: Drama without a decider
In the first Super Over, Afghanistan batted first and posted 17 runs, thanks in part to two powerful sixes and aggressive intent from Azmatullah Omarzai and company. South Africa’s reply looked in trouble at 11 for 1, but Tristan Stubbs launched a colossal final-ball six to level the score at 17 and force the unprecedented second Super Over.
Second super over: Miller and SA prevail
The continued battle saw South Africa bat first again in the second tiebreaker, where they put up a more imposing 23 runs, powered by David Miller who struck two towering sixes and set a challenging mark for Afghanistan. In response, Afghanistan started strongly with Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashing three consecutive sixes, but ultimately fell just short while needing a boundary in the final delivery. South Africa’s nerve held, sealing one of the most thrilling wins in T20 World Cup history.
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Why it was a modern classic
This match combined traditional T20 excitement with historic drama at every stage. The main innings featured big partnerships and late-over carnage, the first Super Over saw a last-ball heroics from Stubbs to keep the contest alive, and the second Super Over delivered all-out assault batting from both sides before Afghanistan’s chase ran out of steam by a single boundary. The duel of skills, strategy and sheer resilience made this contest an instant standout in World Cup lore.
Implications and reactions
The result preserves South Africa’s unbeaten run in the tournament and strengthens their position in Group D, while Afghanistan will reflect on a narrow loss that saw them push a top-tier side to the absolute limit. The head coach of Afghanistan described the loss as “devastating,” underlining how close his team came to pulling off an upset in one of the most memorable matches of the competition.
For fans and players alike, the double Super Over spectacle underscored the unpredictable and electrifying nature of T20 cricket, where matches can swing in an instant and historic firsts are there for the taking.
