South Africa Wins Amazing Cricket Match After Two Tie-Breakers

In a very exciting cricket game, South Africa and Afghanistan tied twice. They had to play two Super Overs to find a winner. South Africa won the match in the end. This was a historic game in the T20 World Cup.
By Newsroom | Cricket, South Africa |

A Tense Encounter Sets New T20 World Cup Record

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup witnessed an extraordinary contest today as South Africa narrowly defeated Afghanistan in a match that required not one, but two Super Overs. Played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the game kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last ball, culminating in a historic first-ever double Super Over in T20 World Cup history. This epic showdown, marked by dramatic shifts in momentum, saw South Africa ultimately prevail, highlighting the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.

The Match Unfolds: From Regulation Play to Super Over Drama

The primary match saw South Africa post a competitive total of 187/6 after being put into bat by Afghanistan. Afghanistan's pursuit of the target was spirited, forcing a tie at the end of their allotted 20 overs, with the score also reading 187/10 with one ball remaining in their innings, indicating a close contest. This parity in scores necessitated the first Super Over.

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Double Super Over 'Cinema' in Ahmedabad: South Africa clinch epic second super over last ball thriller vs Afghanistan, David Miller the Hero - 1

"South Africa checked the Afghan run chase with three quick wickets. With South Africa matching the score, the match headed into another super over." - ICC (Article 7)

In the first Super Over, both teams managed to score 17 runs, again ending in a tie. This unprecedented scenario led to a second Super Over to determine a winner.

Evidence of the Extended Battle

The core of the match's intensity lies in the tied scores, which are clearly documented across multiple reports:

Double Super Over 'Cinema' in Ahmedabad: South Africa clinch epic second super over last ball thriller vs Afghanistan, David Miller the Hero - 2
StageSouth Africa ScoreAfghanistan ScoreNotesSource(s)
Regulation187/6 (20 ov)187/10 (19.4 ov)Afghanistan tied on the penultimate ball.Article 9, 13, 16
Super Over 117/1 (1 ov)17/0 (1 ov)Scores matched, leading to Super Over 2.Article 9, 16
Super Over 223/0 (1 ov)19/2 (1 ov)South Africa scored 23, Afghanistan fell short.Article 2, 3, 4, 8, 11, 16

The official scorecard details confirm the final scores: South Africa scored 187/6 in their 20 overs, and Afghanistan scored 187/10 in 19.4 overs. Following the tied Super Over (17 runs each), South Africa posted 23 runs in the second Super Over, while Afghanistan could only manage 19 runs, losing two wickets in the process.

South Africa's Second Super Over Dominance

The deciding phase of the match, the second Super Over, saw David Miller emerge as a pivotal figure for South Africa. He, along with Tristan Stubbs, opened the batting for South Africa in this crucial period.

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Double Super Over 'Cinema' in Ahmedabad: South Africa clinch epic second super over last ball thriller vs Afghanistan, David Miller the Hero - 3

"David Miller and Tristan Stubbs opened for South Africa in the second Super Over, while Omarzai was handed the ball. South Africa pulled off a thrilling win over Afghanistan in a high-scoring encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. What happened in the second over? The flamboyant batter smacked 22 runs in the over as South Africa posted 23." - India TV News (Article 2)

Miller's aggressive batting was instrumental, with reports indicating he scored 16 runs off 4 balls in the second Super Over. His powerful hitting, including multiple sixes, propelled South Africa to a commanding total of 23 runs. This aggressive display put significant pressure on Afghanistan to chase down the target.

Afghanistan's Valiant Chase Falls Short

Despite the immense pressure, Afghanistan's chase in the second Super Over was characterized by moments of brilliance and near-success. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, in particular, showcased his batting prowess.

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Double Super Over 'Cinema' in Ahmedabad: South Africa clinch epic second super over last ball thriller vs Afghanistan, David Miller the Hero - 4

"Gurbaz yet again closed the gap with three sixes in a row, but South Africa held their nerves and restricted Afghanistan to 19/2." - ICC (Article 7)

While Gurbaz's efforts, including hitting sixes, kept Afghanistan in contention, they ultimately fell short by four runs. The dismissals of key players, such as Noor Ahmad being out twice in the Super Overs, ultimately hampered their chase.

"Needing six from the very last ball of the second Super Over, Afghanistan could not quite clear the ropes — sealing a breathtaking, back-and-forth contest that swung repeatedly before South Africa finally prevailed. But even after matching South Africa through 40 overs and one Super Over, the second proved a bridge too far." - Cricket World (Article 9)

Analysis of Key Moments and Performances

The match's narrative is punctuated by several critical performances and turning points:

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  • David Miller's Batting: Miller's explosive batting in the second Super Over was decisive, providing South Africa with a crucial score to defend. His ability to hit boundaries under pressure was a key factor.

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz's Resilience: Gurbaz's attempts to chase the target in both Super Overs, especially his late surge with consecutive sixes, demonstrated his capability and the tense nature of the final moments.

  • Bowling Performances: While South Africa's bowlers managed to restrict Afghanistan in the second Super Over, Afghanistan's bowlers also contributed to forcing the initial tie and the first Super Over tie. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rashid Khan were among the bowlers for Afghanistan. For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen were involved in crucial wicket-taking instances.

Conclusion and Implications

South Africa's victory over Afghanistan in this double Super Over thriller marks a significant event in the T20 World Cup's history. The match underscored the intense competition within Group D, with Afghanistan proving to be a formidable opponent. For South Africa, this win provides crucial points and a morale boost, moving them closer to the Super 8 stage. The sheer drama and the unprecedented nature of the double Super Over will likely be remembered as one of the most captivating matches in the tournament's history, emphasizing the fine margins that often decide outcomes in this format.

Key Sources and Context

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the cricket match?
South Africa won the match against Afghanistan.
Q: How did they win?
The game was tied, so they played Super Overs. It was tied again, so they played a second Super Over, which South Africa won.
Q: Where was the match played?
The match was played in Ahmedabad, India.
Q: What was special about this game?
It was the first time in the T20 World Cup that a match needed two Super Overs to decide a winner.