Setting the stage with a formidable total of 187-6, South Africa’s innings was anchored by an explosive 114-run partnership between Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. Rickelton was particularly clinical, racing to a 23-ball half-century and eventually finishing with 61 off 28 deliveries, while De Kock provided the veteran stability with a measured 59. Although Afghanistan’s captain Rashid Khan momentarily stalled the Proteas' progress by dismissing both set batsmen in a single over, the damage had largely been done. Afghanistan’s chase, however, began with blistering intent, reaching 50 runs within the first four overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz emerged as the protagonist of the Afghan pursuit, smashing 84 from 42 balls to keep his side ahead of the required rate for much of the evening.
The drama intensified in the final over of regulation play. With Afghanistan needing 13 runs and down to their final wicket, Kagiso Rabada conceded two no-balls, handing the chasing side a statistical lifeline. However, with just two runs needed from the final three balls, Fazalhaq Farooqi was caught short of his crease while attempting a desperate second run, resulting in a run-out that leveled the scores at 187 and triggered the first super over. In the initial tie-breaker, South Africa matched Afghanistan’s 17-run effort thanks to a last-ball maximum from Tristan Stubbs, forcing the match into a rare second super over—only the third time such an event has occurred in men's T20 international history.
The deadlock was finally broken in the second additional over when David Miller unleashed a barrage of boundaries, scoring 16 off just four balls to help South Africa set a daunting target of 24. Despite Rahmanullah’s valiant 18-run effort in response, the experience of spinner Keshav Maharaj proved decisive. Maharaj claimed two wickets in the final over, including a crucial dismissal on the last ball, to restrict Afghanistan to 19-2. The victory solidifies South Africa’s position following their earlier win over Canada, while Afghanistan must now regroup for their upcoming fixture against the UAE, knowing that their path to the next round has become significantly more arduous after this narrowest of losses.
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