In a match that will remain in the memory for decades, South Africa survived an absolute gauntlet at Ahmedabad, defeating Afghanistan in a double Super Over classic. After regulation time ended in a frantic 187-187 tie, it took two tie-breakers to separate the sides, leaving the Proteas on the brink of Super 8 qualification and Afghanistan’s campaign in tatters.
South Africa seemed to have the game won with Afghanistan needing 13 from the final over with just one wicket in hand. However, Kagiso Rabada endured a harrowing 20th over:
He had Noor Ahmad caught off the first ball, only for the siren to signal a no-ball.
A subsequent wide and another no-ball (which went for three runs) left Afghanistan needing two off three.
On the final ball, Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out while attempting a second run; falling millimeters short, sending the game to the first Super Over.
AFG Batting: Azmatullah Omarzai plundered 17 runs off Lungi Ngidi.
SA Batting: South Africa looked buried until Tristan Stubbs smashed a low full-toss from Farooqi over long-off for a last-ball six to tie the scores again at 17-17.
SA Batting: David Miller and Tristan Stubbs feasted on Omarzai, setting a mammoth target of 24.
AFG Batting: In a surprise move, Aiden Markram threw the ball to spinner Keshav Maharaj. After dismissing Mohammad Nabi for a duck, Gurbaz smashed three consecutive sixes.
Needing six off the final ball, Maharaj kept his nerve. Gurbaz sliced a wide delivery straight to Miller at point, ending the madness.
It showed the type of cricket we can play... The game ebbed and flowed, and there were a few mistakes from both sides that let the other back in. These losses hurt.
Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan Head Coach
This marks Afghanistan's second Double Super Over match in two years (following their 2024 thriller against India), and cruelly, their second loss in such a format. Despite the "misfit" tag being long gone, the loss leaves Rashid Khan’s men needing heavy results from New Zealand to stay alive in Group D.
