Proteas edge Afghanistan in double Super Over epic that left cricket fans breathless

South Africa’s cricket fans are still trying to catch their breath after the Proteas survived not one but two Super Overs to beat a fearless Afghanistan side in Ahmedabad. It was the kind of match that turns casual viewers into believers and seasoned supporters into nervous wrecks. For a team that has lived through some unforgettable World Cup heartbreaks, this one finally fell the Proteas’ way.

Whether you watched it at home, in the office between meetings, or at your local with everyone glued to their phones, this game had the entire country pacing.

A shaky start that turned into fireworks

The Proteas began their innings cautiously on a slow surface, losing Aiden Markram early to a clever bit of bowling from Fazalhaq Farooqi. At 22/1 after four overs, it felt like Afghanistan had all the momentum. But everything changed the moment the spinners came on.

Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton went to work, reading the conditions smartly and punishing anything loose. They tore into Noor Ahmed in a 23-run over that took South Africa beyond the 100 partnership mark and, for the first time in the match, put their camp firmly in control.

Rashid Khan, though, refused to be a spectator. The Afghan captain shifted the mood instantly with two wickets in one over, removing both set batters and forcing South Africa to rebuild all over again.

Dewald Brevis and David Miller tried to steady things, but the pitch was not giving away anything for free. Another double strike, this time from Azmatullah Omarzai, derailed the Proteas again before Marco Jansen’s late hitting pushed them to a competitive 187/6.

Afghanistan’s fearless chase stuns everyone

If the Proteas thought the drama ended with the bat, Afghanistan had other ideas. Rahmanullah Gurbaz came out swinging as if he had a personal vendetta against the boundary rope. With South Africa struggling to find rhythm with the ball, Afghanistan rocketed to 50 inside four overs and the Proteas looked rattled.

But Lungi Ngidi flipped the script in a brilliant spell, knocking over Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib. Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada tightened the screws, yet Gurbaz never backed down. His 84 off 42 was one of the innings of the tournament, and the Proteas only dismissed him thanks to clever flight and a sharp catch from George Linde.

Afghanistan kept dragging themselves back into the fight. Even when South Africa sensed the win with 13 needed off the final over, a dramatic mix of no-balls, a six from Noor Ahmed, and nervy running took the match to the edge. A desperate runout on the free hit meant scores were tied and the night was far from over.

Two Super Overs and a nation holding its breath

The first Super Over felt like a scriptwriter had taken over. Gurbaz and Azmatullah smashed Ngidi for 17, sending South African fans into panic mode. Brevis briefly ignited hope with a six, then fell immediately after. Tristan Stubbs, calm under suffocating pressure, somehow dragged it back with a four, a miraculous dig-out, and a last-ball six to tie the scores again.

Cue Super Over number two.

Stubbs continued his heroics with another maximum before handing the innings to Miller, who delivered two massive sixes to take South Africa to 23. It looked safe, but Afghanistan weren’t done.

Keshav Maharaj, entrusted with the final over, dismissed Mohammad Nabi early but then watched the unstoppable Gurbaz belt three consecutive sixes. Suddenly five were needed off the last ball. One mistake could have undone everything South Africa had worked for.

But the moment finally arrived. Gurbaz sliced the final delivery straight to Miller at point and the Proteas, after an emotional rollercoaster of a night, finally secured the win.

A fresh chapter for the Proteas

For a team so often associated with knockout heartbreak, this victory felt symbolic. It wasn’t perfect, but it was courageous, resilient and full of fight. In a World Cup where the margins are tiny and expectations are heavy, the Proteas proved they can scrap just as hard as anyone.

And if South Africa go deep in this tournament, fans will look back on this wild evening in Ahmedabad as the night the Proteas showed they can win the chaos game too.

{Source:SABC Sports}

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