South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram reacts after Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai hits a boundary during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Afghanistan and South Africa in Ahmedabad, India, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: Afghanistan were winning the game, then they were losing, then back in front, but South Africa came back into it, before Rahmanullah Gurbaz threatened to win it all over again, but eventually Afghanistan lost it, by the barest of margins in the second super over of the match. David Miller and Tristan Stubbs struck three sixes off Azmatullah Omarzai’s six deliveries as South Africa made 23 in the second Super Over after the first had ended in a tie. Afghanistan failed to score off their first two balls and lost Mohammad Nabi. Keshav Maharaj had the ball, with 24 required off four balls for Afghanistan. Gurbaz struck three successive sixes and Maharaj followed with a wide.Five were needed off the final delivery in a match that was not for the faint-hearted. Maharaj bowled it full and outside off; Gurbaz tried to clear the infield but was caught at backward point. South Africa celebrated; Afghanistan were left in despair.Proteas advanced from the group of death after edging Afghanistan in a contest that required two Super Overs. They appeared to have sealed it at the start of the final over in regulation time, with Afghanistan needing 13 and only one wicket in hand. Kagiso Rabada delivered two no-balls, and a mix-up while running allowed Afghanistan to draw level. South Africa then seemed out of it before Tristan Stubbs hit a last-ball six to push the game into a second Super Over. Afghanistan needed four sixes from four balls; Gurbaz, who had made 84 off 42 in regulation time, struck three and required only a boundary to force a third Super Over, but found backward point. A few metres either side and it would have been tied again.Earlier, sent in to bat after losing the toss, South Africa built their innings around a 114-run stand between Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61) to post 187 for 6.In response, Gurbaz’s 84 off 42 balls set up the chase, but Afghanistan were bowled out for 187 in 19.4 overs, taking the match into its first Super Over.Afghanistan made 17 without loss in the first Super Over, with Omarzai hitting two fours and a six off Lungi Ngidi.South Africa equalled that tally, Stubbs clearing the ropes off the final ball to extend the contest.Batting first in the second Super Over, South Africa scored 23, with Miller contributing 16.Gurbaz struck three sixes in reply, but Afghanistan finished on 19 for 2, handing South Africa a dramatic win.Brief Scores-South Africa 187/6 in 20 ov (Ryan Rickleton 61, Quinton de Kock 59; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-41, Rashid Khan 2-28) beat Afghanistan 187/10 in 19.4 ov (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84, Azmatullah Omarzai 22; Lungi Ngidi 3-26, Keshav Maharaj 1-27) in super overs.1st Super Over- Afghanistan 17/0 (Azmatullah Omarzai 16*, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 1*; Lungi Ngidi 0-17) tied with South Africa 17/1 (Tristan Stubbs 10*, Dewald Brevis 6; Fazalhaq Farooqi 1-17)2nd Super Over- South Africa 23/0 (David Miller 16*, Tristan Stubbs 7*) beat Afghanistan 19/2 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 18, Keshav Maharaj 2-19)