SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa barely won in Ahmedabad. A wild, double Super Over finally separated them from a relentless Afghanistan team. Both sides finished their twenty overs tied at 187. That score shows just how hard both teams fought. Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a massive 84 to keep his team in it until the very end.
SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026: Heartbreak or Hope? 3 Reasons Afghanistan Are Now T20 Royalty
The first Super Over didn’t settle anything, with both teams hitting 17 runs. The Proteas finally moved past Afghanistan’s 19-run total in the second tie-breaker. This loss hurt, but it proved one thing: Afghanistan aren’t just there to play anymore. They play to win the whole thing.
1. A Batting Lineup That Sets the Pace
The days of Afghan batters just swinging and hoping for the best are over. Now, they build their innings with a combination of smart hitting and real skill. In the SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 game against South Africa, they didn’t panic while chasing 187. They stayed calm.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran show exactly how much this team have changed. They go after the world’s fastest bowlers without any fear. They use every inch of the ground. Gurbaz hit three sixes in a row during the second Super Over; it was incredibly gutsy.
This lineup makes opposing captains panic and set defensive fields from the very first ball. They don’t wait for a bad ball. They force the bowler to make a mistake. This kind of batting makes them a complete team that can outplay anyone.
2. More Than Just Great Spinners
Rashid Khan is still a star. But the team don’t have to rely only on him anymore. Their bowling now has teeth at every stage of the game. Fazalhaq Farooqi moves the new ball perfectly. He often knocks over top-order batters before they even get comfortable.
Against South Africa in the SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 game, the fast bowlers stayed tough. They went toe-to-toe with the Proteas’ own quicks. Azmatullah Omarzai had to defend 17 runs in the first Super Over under massive pressure.
He only gave up runs to great shots, not because he messed up his lengths. This variety means teams never get a break. If you get past the fast bowlers, you still have to deal with a wall of spin from Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi. This deep bowling group can defend small scores or shut down big hitters even on flat pitches.
3. They Finally Believe They Belong
The biggest sign that Afghanistan are now a top-tier team is how they carry themselves. They walked into the Narendra Modi Stadium expecting to win the SA vs AFG T20 World Cup 2026 game. Forcing a powerhouse like South Africa into two Super Overs takes serious mental toughness. Plenty of teams would have folded chasing 187, but Afghanistan actually sped up.
They handled the pressure of a World Cup thriller without flinching. This game proves they have the heart to face the biggest names in cricket. They aren’t “underdogs” anymore. Now, losing makes them angry instead of just happy to be there. They don’t want “moral victories.” They want trophies. Based on this performance, they’ll be lifting one very soon.
