The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed an unforgettable clash between South Africa and Afghanistan in Match 13 at Ahmedabad on February 11. The game went down to not one but two Super Overs before South Africa emerged victorious. Lungi Ngidi’s brilliant bowling throughout the match earned him the Player of the Match award.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz put on a stunning show for Afghanistan with 84 runs off just 42 balls. His explosive innings kept Afghanistan in the hunt till the very end. But South Africa’s bowlers held their nerve in the Super Overs to seal the win.
Match Summary: SA vs AFG
Here is the complete match summary of this thrilling Group D encounter:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| South Africa Score | 187/6 (20 overs) |
| Afghanistan Score | 187 all out (19.4 overs) |
| Super Over 1 (SA) | 17/1 (1 over) |
| Super Over 1 (AFG) | 17/0 (1 over) |
| Super Over 2 (SA) | 23/0 (1 over) |
| Super Over 2 (AFG) | 19/2 (1 over) |
| Match Result | South Africa won by 4 runs (Super Over) |
| Best Batting (SA) | Ryan Rickelton – 61 off 28 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Best Batting (AFG) | Rahmanullah Gurbaz – 84 off 42 balls (4 fours, 7 sixes) |
| Best Bowling (SA) | Lungi Ngidi – 3/26 in 4 overs (Econ: 6.50) |
| Best Bowling (AFG) | Azmatullah Omarzai – 3/41 in 4 overs (Econ: 10.25) |
| Player of the Match | Lungi Ngidi (SA) |
South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision looked solid as Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton put together a strong 126-run partnership for the second wicket.
South Africa Innings: 187/6 in 20 Overs
South Africa got off to a shaky start when Aiden Markram fell for just 5 runs in the third over. But Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton steadied the ship. De Kock smashed 59 off 41 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Rickelton matched him with 61 off 42 balls. Both batters reached their fifties in quick time. De Kock got there in 34 balls while Rickelton took just 23 balls.
Rashid Khan broke the partnership by dismissing both set batters. He finished with excellent figures of 2/28 in his 4 overs. Dewald Brevis added 23 off 19 balls before Azmatullah Omarzai removed him. David Miller was not out on 20 as South Africa posted 187/6.
Afghanistan Chase: 187 All Out in 19.4 Overs
Afghanistan’s chase started with intent. Rahmanullah Gurbaz took charge from the first ball. He smashed 84 off just 42 balls with 4 fours and 7 sixes. His strike rate of 200 put South Africa under pressure. The opener reached his fifty in only 26 balls.
Lungi Ngidi struck early blows for South Africa. He removed Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, and Sediqullah Atal to leave Afghanistan at 52/3. But Gurbaz kept fighting. He found support from Azmatullah Omarzai, who made a quick 22 off 17 balls.
Afghanistan needed 18 runs off the last over. Noor Ahmad and Fazalhaq Farooqi showed incredible composure. They scored the required runs to tie the match at 187 each. The game headed into a Super Over.
Super Over Drama: Two Thrilling Finishes
Super Over 1:
Afghanistan Batting (Scored: 17)
Bowler: Lungi Ngidi
| Batter | Status | Runs | Balls | S/R |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Not Out | 16* | 5 | 320.00 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Not Out | 1* | 1 | 100.00 |
| Extras | 0 | |||
| Total | (0 Wickets) | 17 | 6b | RR: 17.00 |
South Africa Batting (Target: 18)
Bowler: Fazalhaq Farooqi
| Batter | Status | Runs | Balls | S/R |
| David Miller | Not Out | 1* | 1 | 100.00 |
| Dewald Brevis | c & b Farooqi | 6 | 2 | 300.00 |
| Tristan Stubbs | Not Out | 10* | 3 | 333.33 |
| Extras | 0 | |||
| Total | (1 Wicket) | 17 | 6b | RR: 17.00 |
Super Over 2:
South Africa Batting
Bowler: Azmatullah Omarzai
| Batter | Status | Runs | Balls | S/R |
| David Miller | Not Out | 16 | 4 | 400.00 |
| Tristan Stubbs | Not Out | 7 | 2 | 350.00 |
| Extras | 0 | |||
| Total | (0 Wickets) | 23 | 6b | RR: 23.00 |
Afghanistan Batting (Target: 24)
Bowler: Keshav Maharaj
| Batter | Status | Runs | Balls | S/R |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | Not Out | 0 | 0 | – |
| Mohammad Nabi | c & b Maharaj | 0 | 2 | 0.00 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Out | 18 | 4 | 450.00 |
| Extras | 0 | |||
| Total | (2 Wicket) | 19 | 6b | RR: 19.00 |
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Lungi Ngidi Shines
The South African fast bowler delivered a match-winning performance:
With the ball: 3/26 in 4 overs (Economy: 6.50)
Ngidi’s pace troubled the Afghan batters throughout their innings. He picked up crucial wickets at key moments. His removal of Gulbadin Naib and Sediqullah Atal for ducks swung the momentum towards South Africa. He kept his economy under 7 in a high-scoring game.
