AFG vs SA live cricket score, T20 World Cup 2026: Gurbaz falls one shot short of Super Over glory
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan won the toss and elected to bowl first on a fresh pitch in his quasi home ground of Ahmedabad. This was also practically a must-win match for Afghanistan after they lost their tournament opener to New Zealand. The schedule has been unforgiving on the last edition’s losing semi-finalists, rushing them into their two big matches in the group of death in the first round.
Afghanistan’s opponents were the ones who beat them comprehensively in their semi-final in the 2024 T20 World Cup in Trinidad. South Africa could practically knock Afghanistan out and ensure progress for themselves and New Zealand if they win.
Seeing as it was a morning match, both sides strengthened their respective spin departments. Left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad replaced Ziaur Rahman for Afghanistan, and George Linde took the place of Corbin Bosch.
South Africa held a formidable 3-0 head-to-head record against Afghanistan.
South Africa 1 Aiden Markram (capt.), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Ryan Rickelton, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Miller, 6 Tristan Stubbs, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 George Linde, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Lungi Ngidi
Afghanistan 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Gulbadin Naib, 4 Sediqullah Atal, 5 Darwish Rasooli, 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Rashid Khan (capt.), 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi
