Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s breathtaking strokeplay ultimately proved insufficient as South Africa edged Afghanistan in one of the most dramatic encounters in T20 World Cup history in Ahmedabad. The contest ebbed and flowed relentlessly, culminating in a second Super Over thriller decided off the final ball. Afghanistan seemed down and out multiple times, yet clawed their way back repeatedly. Kagiso Rabada’s no-ball in the final over of regulation kept Afghanistan alive, and Tristan Stubbs’ last-ball six in the first Super Over forced another twist. Every passage of play suggested closure, but the contest refused to settle until the very end.

Afghanistan’s chase of 188 was headlined by Gurbaz’s electrifying 42-ball 84. He tore into South Africa’s pace attack early, dispatching Jansen and Rabada for sixes while plundering George Linde for 17 in an over. Afghanistan raced past fifty within four overs before Lungi Ngidi applied the brakes with clever variations. Wickets fell in clusters, yet Gurbaz maintained the tempo, reigniting hopes with towering sixes as he neared a century. Maharaj eventually dismissed him at a crucial juncture, tilting momentum again as Afghanistan’s lower order battled rising pressure in a tense finale.

The drama intensified in extraordinary fashion across two Super Overs. Stubbs’ towering strike first kept South Africa alive, before Gurbaz reignited Afghanistan’s hopes with three successive sixes in the second eliminator. Maharaj’s wide added another twist, but he had the final say when Gurbaz found David Miller in the deep. Afghanistan were left ruing key decisions, notably not using Rashid Khan in the Super Overs and promoting Mohammad Nabi in the decider. Even earlier, a failed dive by Fazalhaq Farooqi while attempting a winning second run proved decisive in a heartbreakingly narrow defeat.

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South Africa Hold Their Nerve in High-Scoring Epic

Earlier, South Africa posted 187 for 6 after recovering from a probing new-ball spell by Fazalhaq Farooqi. Aiden Markram fell early, but Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton counterattacked confidently. De Kock punished Mujeeb, Rickelton capitalized on loose deliveries, and Noor Ahmad endured a bruising introduction as 23 runs came off his first over. Both left-handers struck fluent half-centuries, adding a commanding century stand that shifted control firmly toward South Africa. Rashid Khan’s double strike briefly slowed momentum, but the platform had already been established for a competitive total.

The middle overs saw Afghanistan tighten the screws, strangling the scoring rate and striking twice through Omarzai to prevent a late explosion. Yet David Miller and Marco Jansen ensured a strong finish, combining boundaries and sixes to push South Africa to a formidable total. Afghanistan matched them stride for stride in reply, forcing a tie at 187 and stretching the battle into uncharted territory. In the end, South Africa’s composure under pressure delivered their second tournament win, while Afghanistan were left reflecting on a valiant effort that fell agonizingly short.