South Africa Win Double Super Over Thriller Against Afghanistan

South Africa secured a pulse-pounding victory against Afghanistan in Ahmedabad, surviving a massive scare in a match that required two Super Overs to decide a winner. The Proteas eventually clinched the game after both teams remained deadlocked at the end of regulation play and a first shootout. This encounter has already been hailed as a modern classic in international cricket history.

Setting the Stage

Batting first, South Africa posted a formidable total of 187 runs. The innings was built on the back of solid half-centuries from Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. Their aggressive approach at the top of the order put the Afghanistan bowlers under immense pressure early on. Despite several wickets falling in the middle overs, the total appeared defending on a competitive Ahmedabad surface. According to the official match data, the Proteas middle order struggled to maintain the initial run rate.

Gurbaz Leads the Fight

In response, Afghanistan showed incredible spirit and fearlessness. Opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a masterclass, scoring a blistering 84 runs. His innings was filled with towering sixes that shifted the momentum in favor of the chasing side. However, the match swung back and forth as South Africa’s bowlers tried to stem the flow of runs in the death overs.

Final Over Tension

The closing stages of the match were marked by extreme pressure and errors. Kagiso Rabada struggled with discipline, bowling costly no-balls that brought Afghanistan within touching distance of an upset. Lungi Ngidi, who was later named Player of the Match, picked up three crucial wickets during the standard 20 overs, but the scores finished exactly level at 187 apiece after a chaotic final ball.

Double Super Over Drama

The first Super Over failed to separate the two sides, with both teams scoring 17 runs in a flurry of boundaries. This led to a rare and historic second Super Over. South Africa batted first in the final shootout, setting a target of 24 after scoring 23 runs. Afghanistan fought hard but finished on 19 runs, falling just short of what would have been the upset of the tournament. This match stands as a testament to the growing strength of Afghanistan cricket and the resilience of the South African squad.