South Africa vs Afghanistan, Match 13 Match Summary

That's a wrap, folks! What a game! What a way to kick off another triple header in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026. South Africa have gone level on points with New Zealand in Group D and both teams are in prime position to move into the next stage of the competition. For now, there's another game going on, in Colombo, where Australia are taking on Ireland. The Aussies are batting first and you can switch tabs and catch our coverage of that game right away. Cheers!

The captain of South Africa - Aiden Markram says that it was a tough competition for them. They have got some lessons, but they will be looking to get even better henceforth. Shares that Ryan and QDK batted really well, and they have scored some important runs for the team. In the Super Over, Keshav Maharaj bowled really well and kept the pressure on the opposition. The bowling unit bowled really well, but he feels they lost their nerves in the death overs as they had the game in their hand. Ended up saying that they will move ahead happily with the win and prepare for their next encounter.

The captain of Afghanistan - Rashid Khan says the boys did an amazing job right from the start. South Africa batted well, but his bowlers pulled things back. Tells that the wicket was good, the average score is 180-190, so the idea was to bowl tight and keep South Africa under 200. On Rahmanullah Gurbaz's innings, Khan says he is famous for this kind of destructive innings. He was under pressure as the wickets were falling on the other side but overall, he played amazingly. Mentions that they had their opportunities in both the Super Overs, they could have been a bit smarter under pressure but still a lot of positives to take from this game. Admits they have worked hard for the last one-and-a-half years for this kind of game. People back home expect them to win matches like this, but hope to come back strongly in the next match.

Let's now hear from the two captains...

Player of the Match - Lungi Ngidi gets the award for his bowling figures of 4-0-26-3. Ngidi starts off joking about losing weight. He further shares that he was feeling stressed throughout the super overs, but he's relieved to have emerged on the winning side. He reveals that he knew he would likely be the one bowling the Super Over, and his captain's advice was to stick to his game. He came close to getting wickets with his slower balls in the Super Over, but it wasn't meant to be. He also takes responsibility for letting himself down in the Super Over, admitting he leaked a few runs. He explains that he reverted to what had been working for him recently and tried to use slower balls to counter the opposition's aggressive batting. Ended up saying that despite having a plan, it didn't quite work out as intended.

How do you recover from that? A very tough pill to swallow for the Afghans. They gave it their all and were on the verge of making history but it just wasn't meant to be. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was really the aggressor in the initial run chase and got them close but those strikes from Noor Ahmad in the last couple of overs were really the telling blows.In the Super Overs, they batted out of their skins but Fazalhaq Farooqi couldn't hold on for one more delivery in the first Super Over. Gurbaz hit three sixes in a row, when 4 sixes were needed off 4 balls in the second Super Over but couldn't get the last one away. A moment that will be etched in history but as utter heartbreak for Afghanistan.

Back from the clutches of death - The Proteas have gone through all of the emotions but twice in the game, they nearly threw away everything. They were punished the first time, but managed to hold their nerve the second time and these 2 points will be the hardest-fought two points ever. The second innings ebbed and flowed but South Africa were seemingly in control thanks to those wickets at the death. However, Kagiso Rabada overstepped on the first ball of the final over and instead of it being the final wicket, a No Ball was called and KG ended up receiving further punishment.The Super Overs were again a roller-coaster of a ride as the Proteas clutched the final ball to force the second Super Over. Then the hitting from David Miller and Tristan Stubbs was top-notch as Keshav Maharaj just about managed to take his team over the line, even after getting belted for three sixes in a row.

Are you not entertained? Never have we ever witnessed such a contest in a T20 World Cup game. There's heartbreak on one side and ecstasy on the other. This game isn't for the faint-hearted but at the end of it all, South Africa have stamped their authority in Group D and Afghanistan are on the brink of getting knocked out. Just to recap, South Africa opted to bat first and started brilliantly even after losing a wicket. The southpaw duo of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton added a 114-run stand that set the platform. However, Afghanistan came back strongly, thanks to a double-wicket over from skipper Rashid Khan and finally managed to restrict South Africa to 187. In reply, things got very close as some drama at the death forced a Super Over. That turned into another Super Over as there was nothing separating the two sides. Eventually, the Proteas reigned victorious.

OUT! TAKEN! Maharaj holds his nerves. South Africa hold their nerves. Oh, boy! Stunned silence in Ahmedabad and in the Afghanistan dugout! Rahmanullah Gurbaz bangs his bat in the deck. For the second time today, he had a chance to win the match but failed to do so. A yorker, wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays with an angled bat to point, where David Miller takes the catch safely. AFTER ETERNITY, SOUTH AFRICA WIN! They win the second Super Over by 4 runs.

WIDE! Oh, no Maharaj! Bowls it very full, over the tramline. Rahmanullah Gurbaz keeps his cool and lets it go. 5 now off 1 ball.

SIX! HE IS ACTUALLY DOING IT! Gurbaz is doing the unthinkable. A bit too full, in the blockhole, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with full face of the blade lofts it nicely over long on for a massive biggie. 6 off 1 ball.

SIX! MORE! 12 runs off 2 balls needed! Pushes it wide outside off, slower in the air. Rahmanullah Gurbaz generates a lot of power and smacks it over long on, over the tall Marco Jansen there for a six.

SIX! The game is not yet over, folks! Maharaj bowls the armball, drops a bit short and around off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds his shape and launches it over long off for a six. 18 needed off 3.

24 off 4 needed. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is in and he needs to send every ball over the fence.

OUT! MILLER HOLDS IT! Keshav Maharaj keeps it full and away from the hitting arc, too wide. Nabi hopes with this shot rather than nailing it. Hits it to point, where David Miller leaps inside the ring and takes over his head. Two dots then...

A DOT TO START! Tosses it up, fuller delivery, wide outside off. Mohammad Nabi swings his blade wildly and misses. 24 needed off 5.