By Alam Zeb Safi
AHMEDABAD: South Africa survived a breathtaking contest against Afghanistan at the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, prevailing in a second Super Over after the sides were locked at 187 apiece in regulation play at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was named player of the match after returning 3-26 in Afghanistan’s chase and bowling the first Super Over, setting the tone for a dramatic finish in Group D.
South Africa posted 187-6 after being sent in, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock. Afghanistan matched the total in 19.4 overs, riding on Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 84, before the match went into a rare second Super Over decider.
Afghanistan struck first in the opening Super Over, with Azmatullah Omarzai smashing 16 off five balls as they collected 17 without loss off Ngidi. South Africa equalled the target thanks to a late six from Tristan Stubbs, who combined with Dewald Brevis and David Miller to finish on 17-1.
Under tournament rules, the tied Super Over forced a second one. This time, South Africa surged ahead, with Stubbs and Miller plundering 23 runs off Omarzai. Miller struck two sixes in a 16-run burst from four balls to set a daunting target of 24.
Afghanistan’s reply faltered when Mohammad Nabi was caught off Keshav Maharaj. Gurbaz briefly reignited hopes with three sixes in a four-ball 18, but Maharaj dismissed him on the final ball as Afghanistan finished on 19-2, sealing South Africa’s victory.
Earlier, Rickelton’s 61 off 28 balls and De Kock’s 59 off 41 underpinned South Africa’s innings. The pair added 114 for the second wicket after captain Aiden Markram fell early. Rickelton reached his half-century off 23 balls, striking five fours and four sixes, while De Kock’s measured aggression kept the innings on course.
Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan (2-28) and Omarzai (3-41) checked the scoring in the latter stages, limiting South Africa to 61 runs in the final eight overs despite a late cameo from Marco Jansen.
In reply, Afghanistan raced to 56-3 in the powerplay, with Gurbaz dominating the attack. He reached his 50 off 26 balls and struck seven sixes overall, countering early wickets at the other end. However, Ngidi’s disciplined spell – removing Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib and Omarzai – kept South Africa within reach.
With 24 needed off the final two overs, Rashid Khan’s 20 off 12 balls and late boundaries from Noor Ahmad dragged the chase to the brink. A flurry of run-outs and tight death bowling forced the tie when Afghanistan were bowled out for 187 with two balls remaining.
The result gave South Africa two points in Group D, while Afghanistan collected none despite one of the tournament’s most spirited performances.
Summarised scorecard
South Africa – 187/6 (20 overs) Ryan Rickelton 61 (28) – 5×4, 4×6, Quinton de Kock 59 (41) – 5×4, 3×6,
Dewald Brevis 23 (19), David Miller 20* (15), Marco Jansen 16 (7), Rashid Khan 2/28 (4), Azmatullah Omarzai 3/41 (4), Fazalhaq Farooqi 1/32 (4)
Afghanistan – 187 all out (19.4 overs) Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84 (42) – 4×4, 7×6, Azmatullah Omarzai 22 (17), Rashid Khan 20 (12), Darwish Rasooli 15 (18), Noor Ahmad 15* (9), Lungi Ngidi 3/26 (4), Keshav Maharaj 1/27 (4), Marco Jansen 1/42 (4), Kagiso Rabada 1/38 (3.4)
Super Overs
Super Over 1
Afghanistan: 17/0
South Africa: 17/1
(Match tied again)
Super Over 2
South Africa: 23/0
Afghanistan: 19/2
South Africa won after second Super Over
Player of the Match: Lungi Ngidi (3/26, bowled first Super Over)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Toss: Afghanistan elected to field
Points: South Africa 2, Afghanistan 0**
