Ahmedabad, Feb 11 : South Africa defeated Afghanistan in a historic double Super Over thriller in the T20 World Cup, winning one of the most dramatic matches in the tournament’s history at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The contest, which swung both ways until the very last ball, was finally decided in the second Super Over after both teams finished on 187 in regulation play and remained tied after the first Super Over.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a sensational knock of 84 off 42 balls and later struck three consecutive sixes in the second Super Over, but his efforts went in vain as South Africa held their nerve to secure victory.
Afghanistan needed 13 runs in the final over of their chase with one wicket in hand. The match nearly ended on the first ball when Kagiso Rabada had Noor Ahmad caught at cover, but it turned out to be a no-ball. Afghanistan got a lifeline and pushed the game into a Super Over.
In the first Super Over, Afghanistan scored 17 without loss. South Africa also managed 17 runs, with Tristan Stubbs smashing a crucial six off Fazalhaq Farooqi on the last ball to tie it again.
The second Super Over proved decisive. South Africa posted 23 without loss, with David Miller and Stubbs attacking Azmatullah Omarzai, who missed his lengths under pressure. Chasing 24, Afghanistan lost Mohammad Nabi early and failed to score off the first two deliveries. However, Gurbaz reignited hopes with three sixes in a row, reducing the target to six off the final ball.
Keshav Maharaj bowled the last delivery wide outside Gurbaz’s hitting arc. Gurbaz struck it hard, but David Miller completed a sharp catch at point to seal a four-run win for South Africa.
Afghanistan will regret some key decisions, including not bowling Rashid Khan in either of the Super Overs.
Nabi opening the batting in the final Super Over also proved costly. Earlier, needing two runs off three balls in the main match, Afghanistan attempted a risky second run on a Free Hit, but Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out after failing to dive back in time.
Earlier in the day, South Africa posted 187 for 6 in 20 overs. Ryan Rickelton scored 61 off 23 balls, while Quinton de Kock made 59. The pair added a century stand to put South Africa in control. Azmatullah Omarzai (3-41) and Rashid Khan (2-28) pulled things back in the middle overs to restrict the total.
In reply, Afghanistan raced to 50 within four overs, thanks to Gurbaz’s aggressive start. He struck powerful boundaries and sixes to keep the chase alive. However, wickets at regular intervals, including his dismissal by Maharaj, kept the match tense. Omarzai and Rashid Khan tried to finish strongly, but Afghanistan were bowled out for 187 in 19.4 overs, forcing the first Super Over.
Despite the defeat, Afghanistan showed great fighting spirit by pushing the game into two Super Overs. South Africa, meanwhile, registered their second win of the tournament in a match that will be remembered for its drama and intensity.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 187/6 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 61, Quinton de Kock 59; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-41, Rashid Khan 2-28)
Afghanistan 187 all out in 19.4 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84; Lungi Ngidi 3-26)
First Super Over: Tied
Afghanistan 17/0 | South Africa 17/1
Second Super Over:
South Africa 23/0 | Afghanistan 19/2
South Africa won by 4 runs.
