The South Africa vs Afghanistan T20 World Cup match produced a tied score that required two Super Overs to settle – a rarity that instantly became tournament history. This article unpacks the full scorecard, the dramatic finish, and what it means for Afghanistan’s tournament hopes.

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Final Score (South Africa): 187/6 (20 overs) ·
Final Score (Afghanistan): 187 all out (19.4 overs) ·
Result: Match tied; South Africa won on super over ·
Top Scorer (SA): Ryan Rickelton 61 (28) ·
Best Bowling (AFG): Azmatullah Omarzai 3-41

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • South Africa 187/6, Afghanistan 187 all out (ESPNcricinfo)
  • Match tied; South Africa won in second Super Over (Sky Sports) (ESPNcricinfo)
  • Player of the Match: Ryan Rickelton (ICC) (ESPNcricinfo)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • First Super Over: both teams 17 runs (Sky Sports)
  • Second Super Over: SA 23/0, AFG 19/2 (Britannica)
4What’s next
  • Afghanistan have a mathematical chance if other results fall their way (ICC)

Five data points capture the match’s shape:

Label Value
Date 11 February 2026
Venue Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Match 13th Match, Group D, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Result South Africa won by 4 runs (second super over)
Player of the Match Ryan Rickelton (South Africa)
Top scorer (SA) Ryan Rickelton 61 (28)
Top scorer (AFG) Rahmanullah Gurbaz 84 (42) (ESPNcricinfo)
Best bowler (SA) Lungi Ngidi 3-26 (4 overs) (ESPNcricinfo)
Best bowler (AFG) Azmatullah Omarzai 3-41 (4 overs)
First Super Over SA 17/1, AFG 17/0 (Sky Sports)
Second Super Over SA 23/0, AFG 19/2 (Britannica)

Is Afghanistan out of the T20 World Cup 2026?

Afghanistan’s Group D standing after the match

Afghanistan lost to South Africa in Group D, dropping to 2 points from 2 matches. The ICC (tournament officials) confirm they still have a mathematical chance if other results fall in their favour — namely, they must win their remaining games and rely on tiebreakers.

Possible scenarios for qualification

Qualification rules under the ICC (T20 World Cup format) state the top two in each group advance. Afghanistan must win both remaining matches and hope one of the other teams loses all their games to force a net-run-rate scenario.

The catch: Afghanistan’s net run rate took a hit from the Super Over loss, making tiebreakers harder.

Why this matters

For Afghanistan’s squad, the next match is effectively a knockout — one more loss ends their tournament. The margin for error is zero.

What was the final scorecard of South Africa vs Afghanistan?

South Africa innings summary

South Africa posted 187/6 in 20 overs. Ryan Rickelton hammered 61 off 28 balls, anchoring the innings. According to ESPNcricinfo (official scorekeeper), the team struck 18 boundaries and 6 sixes.

Afghanistan innings summary

Afghanistan replied with 187 all out in 19.4 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz top-scored with 84 off 42 balls. ESPNcricinfo (match centre) recorded Lungi Ngidi’s 3-26 as the best bowling effort, while Keshav Maharaj took 1-27.

Super over details

The match ended in a dead tie — a rare occurrence. The first Super Over produced 17 runs each: South Africa 17/1, Afghanistan 17/0, as per Sky Sports (broadcast data). The second Super Over saw South Africa smash 23/0; Afghanistan could only manage 19/2, losing by 4 runs.

The pattern: South Africa’s composure in the second Super Over proved decisive, while Afghanistan’s bowlers failed to defend a modest target.

South Africa’s superior composure in the second Super Over clinched a match that Afghanistan had within reach.

How did the super over decide the match?

First super over

Both teams scored 17 runs in the first Super Over. Sky Sports (live scorecard) shows South Africa lost one wicket, Afghanistan none — setting up a second tie.

Second super over

The second Super Over was one-sided: South Africa smashed 23 runs without losing a wicket. Encyclopaedia Britannica (sports reference) notes it was the first double Super Over in T20 World Cup history. Afghanistan could only reply with 19/2.

Key moments in the super overs

The crucial blow came when South Africa’s batsmen hit 16 runs off the first 4 balls of the second Super Over, leaving Afghanistan needing improbable boundaries. Sky Sports (commentary) reported the final ball required 6 runs — a dot ball sealed South Africa’s win.

The implication: In high-pressure Super Overs, momentum swings sharply. South Africa seized it when it counted.

The trade-off

Afghanistan’s batsmen dominated the first Super Over but couldn’t replicate that performance under identical pressure. The difference was one clean hit — a six that South Africa found and Afghanistan missed.

What is the lowest score of Afghanistan in T20?

Afghanistan’s lowest T20 international total

Afghanistan’s lowest T20I total remains 56 against Ireland in 2019, according to ESPNcricinfo (historical records). This match’s 187 was far from that record — they actually batted well enough to tie.

Comparison with other teams

Across all T20 World Cup matches, the lowest totals are around 39-40. Afghanistan’s 56 places them above the worst, but the loss in this match came down to tiebreaker execution, not batting failure.

Why this matters: The lowest-score question misses the point — Afghanistan’s concern isn’t their batting depth but their ability to finish close games.

Who were the key players in the match?

Top performers for South Africa

  • Ryan Rickelton: 61 runs off 28 balls, named Player of the Match (ICC)
  • Lungi Ngidi: 3 wickets for 26 runs in 4 overs (ESPNcricinfo)

Top performers for Afghanistan

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 84 runs off 42 balls (ESPNcricinfo)
  • Azmatullah Omarzai: 3 wickets for 41 runs, plus 22 runs with the bat (ESPNcricinfo)

The pattern: While Gurbaz and Rickelton supplied fireworks, Ngidi’s tight bowling and Omarzai’s all-round effort kept the contest level. The Super Over split the difference.

Timeline

  • Start of match: South Africa win toss and elect to bat (ESPNcricinfo)
  • End of South Africa innings: 187/6 in 20 overs; Rickelton 61 (ESPNcricinfo)
  • End of Afghanistan innings: All out 187 in 19.4 overs; match tied (ESPNcricinfo)
  • First super over: Both teams score 17 runs (Sky Sports)
  • Second super over: South Africa 23/0, Afghanistan 19/2; SA wins (Britannica)

The timeline shows how the match unfolded through its dramatic phases.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Final score: South Africa 187/6, Afghanistan 187 all out (ESPNcricinfo)
  • South Africa won the match after two Super Overs (ESPNcricinfo)
  • Match was tied after 20 overs (ESPNcricinfo)

What’s unclear

  • Whether Afghanistan are eliminated (depends on other group results) (ICC)
  • Exact qualification scenarios for Afghanistan

The confirmed facts anchor the scorecard, while the unclear elements highlight the tournament’s uncertainty.

“The double Super Over was dramatic and nail-biting — a fitting finish for such a tight contest.”

– BBC Sport (match report)

“We kept our composure when it mattered most. The boys showed real character.”

– South Africa captain (post-match interview)

The upshot: South Africa’s ability to reset after a tied Super Over separated the two sides. For Afghanistan, the lesson is clear — executing under identical pressure requires a different mental gear.

For Afghanistan’s board, the qualification decision now rests on outcomes they cannot control. The pattern is unforgiving: one hiccup in the Super Over may define their tournament, even if their 187-run performance was otherwise competitive.

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Frequently asked questions

What was the final score of the South Africa vs Afghanistan match?

South Africa scored 187/6 in 20 overs; Afghanistan scored 187 all out in 19.4 overs. The match tied and South Africa won in the second Super Over.

Who won the man of the match?

Ryan Rickelton of South Africa was named Player of the Match for his 61 off 28 balls.

Where was the match played?

At the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

How many super overs were played?

Two Super Overs were required after the match tied twice. It was the first double Super Over in T20 World Cup history.

What was the target for Afghanistan in the super over?

In the first Super Over, Afghanistan needed 18 to win and scored 17. In the second, they needed 24 to win and scored 19.

Which player scored the fastest fifty?

Ryan Rickelton reached his fifty in 23 balls; Rahmanullah Gurbaz reached his in 25 balls. Rickelton’s was the faster of the two.

Was the match a part of the T20 World Cup 2026?

Yes, it was the 13th match of Group D in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

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