Proteas Set Big Target in Ahmedabad Thriller

South Africa batted first and scored 187 for 6 in 20 overs. Ryan Rickelton played a fast knock of 61 runs from 28 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes. Quinton de Kock also scored 59 runs from 41 balls at a strong strike rate.

In reply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave Afghanistan a strong start with 84 runs from 42 balls, including four fours and seven sixes. However, Afghanistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. When the match seemed to be slipping away, Noor Ahmed hit two important sixes to level the scores and force a Super Over.

Double Super Over Drama Decides the Match

In the first Super Over, Azmatullah Omarzai hit two sixes off Lungi Ngidi. South Africa replied strongly. Dewald Brevis hit a six, and Tristan Stubbs smashed a six on the last ball to tie the Super Over at 17 runs each.

In the second Super Over, South Africa scored 24 runs, with David Miller hitting two sixes. Afghanistan lost Mohammad Nabi on the second ball of the chase. Gurbaz then hit three straight sixes but got out on the last ball. South Africa finally won the match in the second Super Over.

Brief Scores:

South Africa 187/6 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 61, Quinton de Kock 59; Azmatullah Omarzai 3/41, Rashid Khan 2/28) tied with Afghanistan 187 in 19.4 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84, Azmatullah Omarzai 22; Lungi Ngidi 3/26, Keshav Maharaj 1/27).

First Super Over – Tied
Afghanistan – 17/0 in 6 balls
South Africa – 17/1 in 6 balls

Second Super Over – South Africa won by 4 runs
South Africa – 23/0 in 6 balls
Afghanistan – 19/2 in 6 balls