Afghanistan’s hopes of successive Super 8 appearances at the T20 World Cup were dented after a second straight defeat. The margin came after two super overs against South Africa.
The sides were level on 187 after 20 overs and again tied on 17 in the first super over. South Africa scored 23 in the second super over and then restricted Afghanistan to 2-19 to secure a four run win. It marked the first time in a T20 World Cup that two super overs were required to decide a result.
South Africa sit second in Group D. Afghanistan have two defeats from two matches and now face a limited path to the Super 8.
South Africa, asked to bat first, posted 187 for six in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Captain Aiden Markram fell early. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton then built a 116 run partnership in 61 balls. De Kock made 59 from 41 balls. Rickelton scored 61 from 28 balls with five fours and four sixes.
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan removed both batters in the space of three balls to slow the innings. Dewald Brevis scored 23 and David Miller finished 20 not out as South Africa closed on 187 for six.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz led Afghanistan’s chase with a fast start. He struck two fours and three sixes as the side reached 50 inside four overs. South Africa responded with three quick wickets. Lungi Ngidi bowled Ibrahim Zadran and then had Gulbadin Naib caught and bowled for zero. Kagiso Rabada dismissed Sediqullah Atal in the next over as Afghanistan slipped from 51 without loss to 3-52.
Gurbaz continued his innings with aggressive strokeplay and reached fifty from 26 balls. Afghanistan moved to 93 for three at the halfway stage. Gurbaz hit seven sixes and four fours before he fell for 84. Azmatullah Omarzai made 22 and Rashid Khan added 20 to keep the chase on track.
Afghanistan required 13 runs from the final over. Rabada began with a no ball and a wide. Afghanistan reached 187 before Farooqi was run out to send the match into a super over.
Afghanistan batted first in the opening super over and reached 17 without loss after Azmatullah Omarzai struck a four and a six from the first two balls. South Africa matched the total to force a second super over.
David Miller and Tristan Stubbs combined for 23 without loss in the second super over. Keshav Maharaj dismissed Mohammad Nabi with the second ball of Afghanistan’s reply. Gurbaz hit three consecutive sixes to keep the chase alive. South Africa held their nerve and restricted Afghanistan to 2-19.
