Afghanistan vs South Africa Scorecard: T20 WC Double Super Over

When the scores read 187 against 187, most cricket matches end quietly. This one didn’t. South Africa and Afghanistan became the first pairing in T20 World Cup history to need not one but two Super Overs to settle things, with South Africa eventually prevailing in Ahmedabad. The drama that unfolded across both innings and two additional overs will be talked about for some time.

Result: Match tied (South Africa won 2nd Super Over) ·
South Africa: 187/6 (20 overs) ·
Afghanistan: 187 all out (19.4 overs) ·
Competition: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, 13th Match, Group D ·
Player of the Match: Lungi Ngidi (3/26)

The key scores from the historic double Super Over are shown in the table below.

Who won Afghanistan vs South Africa today?

South Africa emerged victorious from the first double Super Over in T20 World Cup history. The match ended in a tie after both regulation innings finished on 187 runs, with South Africa ultimately winning the second Super Over 23 runs to 19. The official ICC match record confirms South Africa’s dramatic escape against Afghanistan’s near-upset.

Match Summary

South Africa posted 187/6 in their 20 overs, with Ryan Rickelton scoring a rapid 61 off 28 balls and Quinton de Kock adding 59 off 41. Afghanistan’s reply saw Rahmanullah Gurbaz smash 84 off 42 deliveries, nearly single-handedly dragging his side to the target. The drama peaked when Kagiso Rabada bowled a calamitous final over, conceding three extras that allowed Afghanistan to tie at 187 and force the Super Over.

Super Over Details

The first Super Over saw Afghanistan post 17/0 before Tristan Stubbs smashed a last-ball six to tie it at 17/1 for South Africa. In the second Super Over, South Africa posted 23/0 with David Miller contributing crucial runs. Keshav Maharaj then sealed the win with a last-ball wicket, leaving Afghanistan at 19/2.

South Africa survived their own inconsistency — a dropped catch by Rabada and Rabada’s wayward final over — thanks to Stubbs and Miller’s composure in the Super Overs.

Who is the king of the Afghanistan cricket team?

Rashid Khan’s stature in Afghanistan cricket has earned him the “King” moniker among fans and analysts alike. While he wasn’t captain for this match, his influence on the field remains undiminished. In the match against South Africa, Rashid Khan bowled 2/28 from his four overs, showing his class despite Afghanistan’s heartbreak.

Rashid Khan’s Role

Rashid Khan operates as Afghanistan’s premier spin weapon, capable of breaking partnerships at crucial moments. His performance figures of 2/28 don’t fully capture the pressure he creates for opposing batsmen.

Performance in Match

While Gurbaz stole the headlines with his 84-run innings, Rashid’s economic bowling kept South Africa’s scoring in check during the middle overs, preventing a more daunting target.

Is Afghanistan out of the T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan’s exit remains uncertain but their path to the Super 8s just became significantly harder. According to ESPNcricinfo, Afghanistan now faces an uphill battle, needing big wins in their remaining group matches to advance.

Group D Standings

The loss to South Africa damages Afghanistan’s net run rate and leaves them with little margin for error. Their remaining fixtures will determine whether this dramatic tie becomes a turning point or a fatal blow to their tournament ambitions.

Match Impact

Afghanistan showed they can compete with established cricket nations, pushing South Africa to their limits. The talent is evident — Gurbaz’s 84, Omarzai’s all-round contribution — but consistency in pressure moments separates them from the Super 8 contenders.

South Africa vs Afghanistan scorecard details

The full scorecard reveals the match’s nuances beyond the headline 187-187 tie. Both ESPNcricinfo and Cricketworld live scorecard provide detailed breakdowns of the innings.

South Africa Innings

South Africa’s innings featured a dominant 100-run partnership between De Kock and Rickelton, reaching 100 runs in just 10.2 overs. Lungi Ngidi’s 3/26 proved decisive, earning him Player of the Match honors. Keshav Maharaj also contributed with 1/27, keeping the Afghan chase in check.

Afghanistan Innings

Azmatullah Omarzai stood out as Afghanistan’s star, scoring 22 runs and taking 3/41. His all-round performance demonstrated why Afghanistan’s depth has improved in recent years. The Sky Sports match report highlights how Omarzai’s early wickets pegged South Africa back before their recovery.

Why is Rashid Khan not captain of Afghanistan?

Rashid Khan was removed as Afghanistan captain following their previous World Cup exit. Reports indicate the decision reflected a desire for different leadership structures rather than any reduction in his on-field importance. For this match, he operated as a senior player, concentrating on bowling rather than captaincy decisions.

Captaincy Change

The change in captaincy has shifted Afghanistan’s tactical approach. Without the burden of leadership, Rashid can focus entirely on his bowling, which remains Afghanistan’s most potent weapon in spin-friendly conditions.

Post-World Cup Decision

Whether Afghanistan’s new leadership structure produces better results in crunch matches remains to be seen. The talent is undeniable — the execution in pressure moments needs refinement.

Summary

For South Africa, the relief is palpable but the warning signs are clear — a wayward Rabada over and a dropped catch nearly cost them against an Afghanistan side that has closed the gap with established nations. The double Super Over victory preserves their tournament standing, but they’ll need to address their death bowling inconsistencies before tougher opponents arrive. For Afghanistan, Gurbaz’s emergence as a genuine world-class batsman offers hope, yet their inability to close out what should have been a winning position leaves them facing elimination from Super 8 contention with almost no margin for error in their remaining matches. Afghanistan must now win big in their remaining group matches to stay alive in the tournament.