South Africa Snatches Victory from Jaws of Defeat in Thrilling Double Super Over

Afghanistan's T20 World Cup hopes took a hit as they fell short against South Africa in a thrilling double Super Over match. Rahmanullah Gurbaz's impressive 84-run knock wasn't enough as South Africa's Keshav Maharaj held his nerve to secure the win. Allowed no soft launch by the draw, having lost the first match against New Zealand, Afghanistan came into this must-win encounter spin-heavy on a pitch with some grip. Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton, though, scored twin half-centuries to give their taller bowlers with canny changes of pace just enough - it seemed - to defend despite an outlier effort by Gurbaz. However, Rabada and Marco Jansen made closing errors against the No. 10 Noor Ahmad. With two needed off the last three balls - first of those a free hit - the last pair took an improbable second to give South Africa a lifeline and the T20 World Cup its first double Super Over. Rashid Khan sparked a stunning comeback for Afghanistan, taking down South Africa's top order with his 2 crucial wickets, bringing up 699 T20 wickets in the process. After a slow start, conceding 21 runs in his first 2 overs, Rashid turned the game around, getting key wickets of Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in the same over. Gurbaz stuns South Africa It started with a gentle full toss from Lungi Ngidi, but pretty soon Gurbaz was taking down the best balls the other bowlers had to offer. He backed away and ramped an accurate short ball from Jansen for six. The first ball he faced from Rabada he upper-cut over deep third for an even bigger six. George Linde, the tall left-arm spinner who was going to be crucial, met the same fate first ball: Gurbaz made room and hit him on the up and down the ground for a six over long-off. South Africa were cruising at 126/2 in the 13th over, but Afghanistan's spinners tightened the noose, restricting them to just 63 runs off the last 7.3 overs, with only a late surge from Jansen pushing them to 187. Here's a quick summary: South Africa's Innings: Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61) put up a 114-run partnership, helping South Africa post 187/6. Afghanistan's Chase: Gurbaz's 42-ball 84 kept Afghanistan in the game, but they were bowled out for 187 in 19.4 overs, forcing a Super Over. Double Super Over Drama: Afghanistan scored 17/0 in the first Super Over, but South Africa matched it with Tristan Stubbs hitting a six on the last ball. In the second Super Over, South Africa set a target of 24, and Afghanistan fell short at 19/2.