Ahmedabad witnesses one of the most dramatic matches in T20 World Cup history as both teams refuse to yield
Ahmedabad: In a dramatic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2025/26 Group D clash at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, South Africa edged past Afghanistan after an extraordinary contest that went into two Super Overs, producing one of the most thrilling finishes in World Cup history.
Asked to bat first, South Africa posted a competitive 187 for 6 in 20 overs, built around fluent half-centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock. Afghanistan’s bowlers kept things tight through the middle overs to prevent a bigger total.
Chasing 188, Afghanistan matched the target with remarkable composure, reaching 187 in 19.4 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the charge with a blistering 84 off 42 balls, the highest individual score by an Afghan batter in T20 World Cup history, keeping his side in contention throughout the chase.
The contest swung wildly in the closing moments. Needing 13 runs from the final over with just one wicket remaining, Afghanistan capitalised on pressure, aided by no-balls and a costly running error, to level the scores and force a Super Over.
The tension only intensified as the first Super Over also ended in a tie, with South Africa scrambling through thanks to a last-ball effort from Tristan Stubbs, sending the match into a rare second Super Over.
In the decisive match, South Africa set a challenging target. Afghanistan fought back bravely, with Gurbaz striking three successive sixes, but ultimately fell just short.
The narrow defeat left Afghanistan heartbroken, while South Africa gained crucial momentum in Group D. The match stood out as a gripping reminder of T20 cricket’s unpredictability and high drama.
Also Read: Shivraj Singh Chouhan Launches Rural Push in Tripura: CM Saha Flags 125-Day Jobs Plan
