T20 World Cup
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup witnessed one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament as South Africa national cricket team defeated Afghanistan national cricket team after a thrilling double Super Over in match 13 at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.
After both teams finished their 20 overs with identical scores of 187, the contest moved into a Super Over. Afghanistan batted first in the initial tie-breaker, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz facing Lungi Ngidi. The duo collected 17 runs, putting pressure on South Africa.
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Fazalhaq Farooqi bowled the Super Over for Afghanistan and struck early by dismissing Dewald Brevis. However, Tristan Stubbs responded strongly, hitting two boundaries, including a six on the final delivery, to level the scores again and force a second Super Over.
In the decisive Super Over, Stubbs and David Miller returned to bat. Afghanistan entrusted Omarzai with the ball, but Stubbs welcomed him with a six. Miller then smashed two more sixes as South Africa finished with 23 runs, setting Afghanistan a target of 24.
Mohammad Nabi came out alongside Omarzai for the chase. South Africa opted for spin and handed the ball to Keshav Maharaj. He began with a dot ball and then removed Nabi. Gurbaz kept Afghanistan’s hopes alive by striking three consecutive sixes. Needing one more six from the final ball, Gurbaz attempted another big shot but was caught at point, sealing a dramatic victory for South Africa.
Earlier, Afghanistan had chosen to bowl after winning the toss. South Africa made a cautious start, and Fazalhaq Farooqi provided the breakthrough by dismissing 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 43/1 at the end of the powerplay. The pair continued to dominate, guiding the side to 98/1 after ten overs.
De Kock scored 59 off 41 balls and became South Africa’s highest run-scorer in T20 World Cups with 737 runs, overtaking AB de Villiers’ tally of 717 during his innings. Rickelton played an explosive knock of 61 from just 28 balls, striking five fours and four sixes.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan brought his team back into the contest by dismissing both de Kock and Rickelton within three balls. Tristan Stubbs managed just one run before falling to Omarzai.
Dewald Brevis contributed 23 off 19 balls, while David Miller remained unbeaten on 20 from 15 deliveries. Marco Jansen added a quick 16 off seven balls to lift South Africa to 187/6 in 20 overs. Omarzai claimed three wickets, Rashid took two, and Farooqi picked up one.
In response, Afghanistan started strongly through Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, racing to fifty in just four overs without losing a wicket. However, Lungi Ngidi struck twice in the fifth over, removing Zadran and Gulbadin Naib. Kagiso Rabada followed up by dismissing Sediqullah Atal for a duck in the next over.
Despite losing three wickets in two overs, Gurbaz continued his aggressive approach. He scored a brilliant 84 off 42 balls before edging Maharaj to short third man, leaving Afghanistan at 121/4 in the 13th over.
Rashid Khan chipped in with a quick 20 from 12 balls to keep the chase alive. With 24 required from the final two overs, Jansen conceded 11 runs but dismissed both Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Afghanistan needed 13 from the last over bowled by Rabada. The over began with a no-ball and a wide, followed by a six from Ahmad. Another wide and a quick double brought the equation down to two runs from three deliveries. Farooqi was run out while attempting a second run, tying the scores and forcing the first Super Over.
In the end, South Africa held their nerve across two Super Overs to claim a memorable win, while Afghanistan’s spirited performance, led by Gurbaz’s outstanding innings, made it one of the standout matches of the tournament.
Rashid Khan Calls Afghanistan ‘Unlucky’ After Double Super Over Defeat To South Africa
Speaking during the post-match presentation, Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan reflected on the narrow defeat. “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,” according to Cricbuzz.
Reacting to the tense finish, he added, “We had our opportunities. In the last Super Over as well, 1 ball 5 runs could go anyway. Could’ve been smarter. One dive, one ball could’ve finished it. Work 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.”
Rashid also praised Gurbaz’s match-winning effort with the bat. “Amazing innings, that’s what he’s famous for. In the last couple of overs in the powerplay, where we lost quick wickets, put him on the back foot. Overall, he played amazingly.”
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