It was one of those nights when you cannot predict anything. The massive day of action was headlined by the spic clash of last edition runners-up, South Africa, against a rejuvenated Afghanistan.
In this game, South Africa dented the hopes of Afghanistan to feature in the Super 8 in back-to-back World Cups. Afghanistan suffered its second straight defeat in this game. But you cannot say that they didn’t try.
The Afghan team was on the brink of victory, but in the end it wasn’t to be. They pushed South Africa to 2 super overs in a high-scoring game before falling short in the second super over. First, the teams were tied for 187 in 20 overs. Then, they tied again in the first super over for 17 runs.
In the second super over, the South African team scored a massive 23 runs. Then, they managed to restrict Afghanistan to 19-2 and won the game by 4 runs. It was the first for a T20 World Cup to feature two super overs in a single game.
South Africa is currently second in Group D with this victory. However, with two defeats in the two games, Afghanistan’s chances are very low to make it to the Super 8.
Coming to the game, South Africa was invited to bat first, and they put a commanding 187/6 on the board in Ahmedabad. After the early departure of South African captain Aidem Markram, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton joined forces to take the game deep. They registered a partnership of 116 runs in just 61 balls.
In this partnership, de Kock made 59 runs off 41 balls, and Rickleton made 61 runs off just 28 balls. Rickleton’s innings helped South Africa post a massive total.
In Response, Afghan players started well and brought up 50 within four overs. Gurbaz struck two fours and three sixes in that period. However, South Africa struck back with three quick wickets to restrict Afghanistan. Lungi Ngidi castled Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib. After that, Rabada dismissed Sediqullah Atal in the next over.
Gurbaz, with Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan, made a defiant statement of pushing Africa. In the last over, they needed 13 runs to win but could only manage 12 to tie the scores.
Afghanistan batted first in the first super over and made 17 runs. South Africa matched the score, and the super over continued. Then it was time for South Africa to bat first. In the second super over, they made 23/0. Mohammad Nabi fell on the second ball, and Gurbaz hit three consecutive sixes to close the gap. But he also fell on the last ball.