The South Africa versus Afghanistan game on February 11, 2026, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was a nail-biter! It was the 13th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. This Group D game was a crazy T20 match that went down to the wire. Both teams brought their A-game in batting, bowling, and fielding, which led to a tie and then a Super Over, which South Africa won.

Afghanistan won the toss and decided to let South Africa bat first. South Africa’s batting was explosive, with Ryan Rickelton hitting 61 off just 28 balls and Quinton de Kock scoring 59 off 41. These scores were super important in getting them to a total of 187/6 in 20 overs. They showed some serious power-hitting, good teamwork, and batting depth. Dewald Brevis and David Miller also chipped in with runs, and Marco Jansen added some late runs with a quick 16 off 7 balls.

South Africa’s Great Batting and Teamwork

South Africa’s innings was all about strong partnerships and being aggressive. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton put on 115 runs for the second wicket. They worked together really well and hit some great shots. They smashed a bunch of fours and sixes and handled the pressure like pros. Aiden Markram got out early, but the middle order kept the runs coming.

South Africa kept rotating the strike, ran hard between wickets, and punished any bad balls. David Miller’s 20* and Brevis’ 23 showed how deep their batting lineup was. They didn’t give away many extras, which meant they batted smart and didn’t take too many risks – key to setting a good target.

Afghanistan’s Good Reply and Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s Big Hitting

Afghanistan wasn’t going down without a fight. Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 84 off just 42 balls, including 4 fours and 7 sixes! He showed off Afghanistan’s power-hitting. He and Ibrahim Zadran had a good partnership that got the scoring going fast.

But Afghanistan lost some important wickets at the wrong times, including Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, and Darwish Rasooli. Lungi Ngidi bowled great for South Africa, taking 3/26 and putting the pressure on the Afghan middle order. Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada also helped keep the runs down, which showed how well-rounded South Africa’s bowling was.

Super Over Madness: A Real Test

The game going to a Super Over made it even more exciting. Afghanistan batted first and scored 17 runs, with Azmatullah Omarzai going crazy and hitting 16 off 5 balls. South Africa also ended up with 17 runs in their first Super Over which meant they had to play another one, very rare.

In the second Super Over, South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs and David Miller kept their cool and scored 23 runs without getting out. Afghanistan couldn’t keep up, scoring 19 runs, which gave South Africa the win. Lungi Ngidi was named Player of the Match for his bowling, which had a big impact!

Great Bowling and Smart Plans

South Africa’s bowlers bowled really well. Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada put the pressure on Afghanistan’s batters by changing their pace and using bounce and yorkers. Keshav Maharaj bowled economically, taking 1 wicket for 27 runs in four overs.

Afghanistan’s bowlers also did well, especially Rashid Khan with 2 wickets for 28 runs and Azmatullah Omarzai with 3 wickets for 41 runs. Fazalhaq Farooqi getting a wicket in the Super Over showed how much potential Afghanistan has in their bowling.

Records and Stats

This match was special. South Africa grabbed the Super Over win, making it one of the most exciting finishes ever in a T20 World Cup. Ryan Rickelton’s crazy strike rate and Quinton de Kock’s steady rate showed South Africa’s batting strength. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s innings showed how dangerous Afghanistan can be in T20 cricket.

The match also showed some players hitting new milestones. Lungi Ngidi proved he’s a clutch bowler. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton added to their World Cup careers with great innings under pressure. And for Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed even more that he’s one of their best power-hitters.

Arguments and Decisions

There were a few DRS reviews, which showed how intense the game was. South Africa’s review of Ryan Rickelton’s wicket and Afghanistan’s bowling changes showed how much strategy there is in T20 cricket. There weren’t any real problems, but the two Super Overs did get people talking about the rules.

People questioned Afghanistan’s decision to field first after winning the toss, because the pitch was good for batting. The fact that the total of 187 was possible to chase made the game even more exciting.

What it Means for Group D

This win helped South Africa in Group D. They have two wins now, which sets them up well for the Super 8 stage. Afghanistan showed that they can hang with the best teams. The match overall showed how much better the smaller cricket nations are getting, which makes the 2026 T20 World Cup that much more exciting.

South Africa got 2 points for that Super Over win, making their record even better. Afghanistan still hasn’t won, but they showed they have what it takes.

In short: A Great Game

The South Africa vs Afghanistan game will be remembered as one of the best of the tournament. It had everything – hitting, bowling, fielding, and two Super Overs! Lungi Ngidi was amazing, and South Africa’s batting plan worked out perfectly. Even though Afghanistan lost, they showed they can play an aggressive style and that their young players have a lot of potential.