T20 WC 2026: Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz In TEARS After Defeat Against South Africa

In an instant classic at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Rahmanullah Gurbaz was left inconsolable as Afghanistan fell just four runs short in a historic Double Super Over against South Africa on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

The loss has pushed Afghanistan to the brink of elimination from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, marking their second consecutive defeat in Group D.

The Match: A Tale of Two Super Overs

The game was a roller-coaster from start to finish, with momentum swinging violently between the two sides.

• Regulation Play: South Africa posted 187/6, powered by fifties from Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61). In response, Gurbaz played a magnificent knock of 84 off 42 balls. Despite his heroics, Afghanistan was bowled out for exactly 187 in 19.4 overs after a chaotic final over by Kagiso Rabada that included no-balls and a dramatic run-out.
• Super Over 1: Afghanistan set a target of 18, which South Africa matched when Tristan Stubbs smashed a six off the final ball, forcing the game into a second tie-breaker.
• Super Over 2: South Africa went first and plundered 23 runs, with David Miller and Tristan Stubbs clearing the ropes three times.
• The Final Heartbreak: Afghanistan needed 24 to win. After a dot ball and the wicket of Mohammad Nabi, Gurbaz stepped up and smashed three consecutive sixes off Keshav Maharaj. With 6 needed off the last ball, a wide reduced it to 5, but Gurbaz was caught at point on the final delivery, ending the chase at 19/2.

Qualification Scenario: Group D

The defeat leaves Afghanistan’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. To qualify for the Super Eights, the Rashid Khan-led side must win their remaining matches against Associate teams (UAE and Canada) and rely on massive upsets elsewhere.

“An All-Time Classic”

Gurbaz, who has been the heartbeat of Afghanistan’s batting, could not hide his emotions, breaking down in tears as he left the field. The match is already being hailed as the greatest in T20 World Cup history, featuring the first-ever Double Super Over in the tournament’s history.