South Africa vs Afghanistan ICC MT20 WC, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! RUN OUT! Lost for words.... We have a SUPER OVER! Fuller delivery, around off, Noor Ahmad strokes it wide of long off where Marco Jansen runs across and sweeps it off. Easy two but maybe there is some tiredness in the batter's leg. Marco Jansen throws it to Rabada, Fazalhaq Farooqi struggles but puts in a solid dive to get to the non-striker's end. Kagiso Rabada holds his nerves as he picks up the throw, a touch out of his reach but flicks the bails off quickly. The replay loads - Fazalhaq Farooqi has his bat in the air.

More drama! A run-out review on the deciding ball. This is so close but Kagiso Rabada has redeemed himself. The bails are off and the bat is in the air. OUT comes up on the big screen.

NO BALL AGAIN! Kagiso Rabada, what are you doing? This is unlike this speedster. He is clearly feeling the pressure. Bowls a fuller delivery on middle, Noor Ahmad lofts it down to long on for a couple of runs. Noor Ahmad keeps the strike but the SIREN GOES OFF ONCE AGAIN. It's a FREE HIT...

Finally, a dot ball. Full and straight, tailing in, dabbed down to long on for a dot ball.

SIX! From having the game in hand, South Africa are now on the brink of throwing it all away. Noor Ahmad has hit a couple of unbelievable sixes. Short of a length and over middle, Noor hangs back, makes a bit of room by moving to the leg side and wallops the pull over deep square leg for a biggie. 5 needed now off 4 balls.

PUT DOWN! But it was a Free Hit anyway. Pitched up fuller around off, Noor Ahmad stays put and launches it down to long off where Marco Jansen spills it. No run is taken.

WIDE! Pressure on KG! Full and sliding down the leg side. Noor Ahmad looks to flick but misses. The Free-Hit continues...

NO BALL! What drama! Oh, boy! Who wrote the script? This is full and around off, Ahmad looks to flick it away but miscues his shot as it was a slower delivery. It goes off the top edge to cover where the fielder takes the catch. But the SIREN GOES OFF and it's called a No Ball. Free Hit coming up....

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the last batter in for Afghanistan. Kagiso Rabada to bowl the final over. 13 needed off the final over.

OUT! MUJEEB UR RAHMAN IS RUN OUT! This should settle the nerves in the Proteas dugout! This is full and around off, in the blockhole. Ahmad squeezes it out to the left of Jansen, around the deck. A mix-up as both the batters are stranded, looking for a single. Meanwhile, Marco Jansen runs across, picks up and hits the bullseye at the batter's end.

Overpitched, outside off. Ahmad fails to get underneath and digs it out to cover.

SIX! Out of nowhere! Well, we are not done yet because Ahmad has different ideas. In the slot, a touch fuller and touch wider. Noor Ahmad steps inside the line and thumps it down the ground to long on for a six.

South Africa are holding on to all the crucial catches and that probably is going to be the difference in the end. With that said, Noor Ahmad walks out to bat now. 19 needed off 9 balls.

OUT! KHAN GOES! This could be the game for the Proteas! Marco Jansen bowls a nice deceptive slower delivery, wide of the hitting arc of Khan, fuller delivery. Rashid Khan throws his blade and drags his shot. A nothing shot, actually and hits it down the ground. David Miller covers a lot of ground from long on. He runs to his left, slides and takes a brilliant catch. South Africa keeping their standards high in the field. A valiant 20 off 12 for Rashid.

George Linde puts in a solid effort as he runs back to chase the ball but in the process, he might have pulled his hamstring. Shorter delivery, outside off, Rashid Khan plays his famous ramp shot but slices it behind point. George Linde runs back from backward point, slides in the deep and keeps it down to two.

Excellent commitment in the deep from George Linde. However, he seems to have gotten his knee stuck in the turf. He will now hobble off the pitch and the physio will tend to him.

WIDE! Tries the slower ball but delivers it well over the tramline outside off.

Marco Jansen bowls into the pitch, touch short and on off, Khan flat-bats it down the ground to long off for a brace.

The pressure is on. Everything rests on the shoulders of skipper Rashid Khan. Marco Jansen (3-0-31-0) is back on to bowl the 19th over. 24 needed off 12 balls.

On a good length and on middle, Mujeeb Ur Rahman solidly blocks.

The next batter is in. It is Mujeeb Ur Rahman in at number 9.

OUT! TAKEN! Wonderful catch from Stubbs. Should we even call this a stunner? These players are making it look so easy nowadays. Lungi Ngidi misses his mark and bowls a slower delivery in the slot. Azmatullah Omarzai launches it down to long on but fails to power it much. Omarzai thought he cleared the fence but Tristan Stubbs holds his nerves at the edge of the boundary line, picks up the catch over his head but just as he was losing his balance, he lobs it up, goes beyond the boundary and then gets back in to collect the catch again. It's fair in the replays. 24 needed off 13 balls.

Is that a fair catch? Tristan Stubbs is very confident and the Proteas are celebrating. What an occasion to pull off something spectacular and the third umpire confirms that it is a fair catch. OUT!

An off-cutter, pings off the surface as Ngidi bowls in the deck. Khan fends it away to square leg for a single.

Much better from Ngidi! A wide yorker, outside off, removes all the pace off it. Rashid Khan tries to guide it away but misses.

A full toss, dipping onto the batter on middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Nicely picked! Lungi Ngidi spills out a low full toss, drifting on the pads. Omarzai helps it away to the left of the diving short fine leg fielder. No chance for the man in the deep as well. A boundary.

Bowling change. Who will it be? Lungi Ngidi or Marco Jansen? It will be Ngidi to bowl the 18th. 30 needed off 18 deliveries.

Bowls a bumper, outside off and into the surface. Omarzai gets on top and taps it to point to keep the strike. 11 from the over, 30 needed off 3 overs.

Too full and angling on middle, Khan turns it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Cheeky, very cheeky! A peach of a yorker from Rabada, around off. Nothing wrong with the delivery but Khan shows his smartness. He bends down and guides it fine of short third for a boundary.

Serves it full, pace-off and outside off. Khan knocks it to cover and denies the run.

FOUR! Khan has picked the bones out of it. Short of a good length slower delivery and around off, lands in front of Khan, who pulls it powerfully, flat to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

A good length delivery, around off, this is punched through covers for a single.

Just 4 overs to go now and this game is turning into a real humdinger of a contest. 41 needed off 24 balls and Kagiso Rabada (2-0-15-1) is back into the attack. He'll likely bowl the 17th and the 19th over.

Pushes it full and on leg, Omarzai gets inside the line as he tracks back and work it down to long off for one.

Shorter and on top of off, Khan cuts it late and to the right of the big Jansen, who dives across and keeps it down to one.

FOUR! Khan shows how to play it! Fuller delivery, down leg, no turn this time and Rashid Khan nicely sweeps it behind square leg for a boundary.

Oh, just out of Linde's reach! Linde bowls in the rough from over the wicket. Omarzai is tempted to whip it away as he leans in, but miscues it to the left of the bowler. George Linde puts in a full stretched dive to his left, but the ball is just out of his reach.

Tosses it up, full and outside off. Khan punches it through covers for a single to get off the mark.

What a turnaround for George Linde! Rashid Khan is now in at number 8 for Afghanistan.

OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND GONE! George Linde wasn't having a good day so far but this wicket will help his team. Linde comes over the wicket and pitches it up on leg, Nabi's eyes lit up as he quickly gets on his knee to slog-sweep but the ball darts in sharply and takes the top edge. High up and to cover it goes, where Aiden Markram takes the skier. 'Mr President' goes for just 5 runs to his name. 49 needed off 29 now.

49 needed off the last 30 balls and the required rate is now under 10 runs an over. Afghanistan will feel they are ahead right now. With that said, George Linde is brought back into the attack. He's gone for 31 runs so far in his two overs. This could be make or break for the Proteas.

FOUR! An expensive over from Marco Jansen! This is a half-volley, on the fifth stump. Azmatullah Omarzai rocks back and smokes it over the extra cover fielder. The ball bounces off into the sweeper cover fence and Omarzai gets his second boundary of the inning.

Back of a length, outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai frees his arms and slaps it toward right of deep cover for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Easy pickings for Azmatullah Omarzai! This is a slower one and fuller, on leg. Azmatullah Omarzai glances it wide of Kagiso Rabada, in the short fine leg region, and the ball races away to the fence for four runs.

On a fuller length, around the pads, Mohammad Nabi flicks it to the short fine leg fielder and gets a single.

On a length, just outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and spanks it toward long off for a single.

Beaten! Back of a length, pitching on off and angling it away from the right-hander. Azmatullah Omarzai looks to poke it away but gets beaten.

DRINKS! Pheww! Everyone needs a breather as a lot has happened in the last few overs. South Africa have picked the big wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Things have heated up in the middle between Nabi and Ngidi, not removing his wristband. Afghanistan need 61 runs in 36 balls. Hard to call whose game it is right now. We'll sit back and let the final phase unfold.

On a length, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai rolls his wrists and flicks it to square leg to rotate the strike. A tidy over from Ngidi, only six runs from it!

Yorker now, on off and middle, Mohammad Nabi digs it toward square leg and gets a single.

On a length, angling in, on off and middle. Mohammad Nabi tries to nudge it to mid on, but gets nicked on the inside edge. The ball rolls to the short fine leg region and Omarzai from the bowler's end shouts 'NO' to Nabi.

On a length, angling in, down the leg side. Azmatullah Omarzai flicks it to short fine leg and gets a quick single.

Another slower one, on a hard length, on off, Nabi tucks it to square leg and gets across.

Lungi Ngidi starts off with a slower yorker, on off. Mohammad Nabi tucks it with soft hands to the vacant square leg region and gets a couple of runs between the sticks.

Halt! Mohammad Nabi is having a heated argument with the umpires as he wants Lungi Ngidi to remove his wristband. It's pale yellowish in colour and Nabi deems it's not helping him see the ball. Ngidi is not having any of it, and neither is the Proteas skipper, who stands up for the argument. The wristband stays.

Tossed up, on off, Azmatullah Omarzai drives it to cover.

Fourth time in the game we have seen a double-wicket over. Two from each side. Mr President from Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi is the next batter in.

OUT! DARWISH RASOOLI IS RUN OUT! Oh, that is very ordinary running between the wickets. Keshav Maharaj bowls it flat and a bit full outside off. Azmatullah Omarzai stays low and dabs it to the left of point. The batters set off for the single but Azmat is ball-watching and realizes that there is no run on offer, and he turns back. Rasooli, however, is nearly at the keeper's end himself and the fielder throws it back to the wrong end. Quinton de Kock keeps his cool and throws the ball back to the bowler as Rasooli tries to scamper back. The dive is put in but the bails are dislodged and with the smart replay in place, the umpire raises his finger. Afghanistan are now 121/5, needing 67 off 43 balls.

Flatter one, darted in towards middle stump, Azmatullah Omarzai stays back and blocks it off.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz needs to be dragged off the middle as he can't believe he has picked the fielder. A momentum-shifting wicket. Azmatullah Omarzai replaces Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

OUT! TAKEN! Keshav Maharaj has got the big fish and the Proteas are all pumped up. This is tossed up, fuller, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz crouches low and attempts to lash it over the sweeper cover, but ends up slicing it away to short third. George Linde dives to his left and takes a superb catch. Credit to the bowler who sucked Gurbaz into playing the big shot with the floater. The magnificent knock of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (84 off 42) has come to an end, and surely the Proteas will be happy to see his back. Afghanistan are now 121/4, needing 67 off 45 balls.

SIX! CLUBBED AWAY! Pitches it up, does Maharaj, just outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets down on his knee and slogs it across the line over the long on region. Marco Jansen is the man patrolling the area, who leaps up high but the ball manages to escape the fingertips of the fielder.

Short and outside off, Darwish Rasooli slaps it toward the right of point for a single.

SIX! Just over! This is bowled full and flat around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz is quick to lunge across and get inside the line. He then sweeps it hard and flat, nailing it over the leaping fielder at deep backward square leg for a biggie. 14 off Markram's first over and the gamble hasn't paid off for South Africa.

Full and straight, swept away firmly to deep square leg for a single.

Full and fired in at the toes, swept away straight to short fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings for the set-batter. Flatter and darted into the body of the batter, Gurbaz sits down and brooms it to the right of deep backward square leg and picks up a boundary.

Rasooli is looking patchy with the big shots, luckily for him, this one doesn't carry to the fielder. Shortish length angled into the batter, Rasooli gets cramped for room but goes through with the pull and mistimes it short of deep square leg for one.

Begins with an in-drifter and floats it on the pads, Gurbaz tucks it wide of short fine leg and picks up a single.

Aiden Markram brings himself into the attack.

Fired in, full and wide outside off, Gurbaz squeezes it behind point for a single. The 100 is now up for Afghanistan as well.

Floated up, around off, Rasooli flat-bats it down to long off and turns the strike over.

Dragged length, at the stumps, worked away off the back foot and through mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller and outside off again, Rasooli throws his hands at it and slices it down to deep cover-point for just another single.

Quicker one, full and wide, slides on with the arm. Gurbaz waits back and gets low before dabbing it down to short third for a quick single.

WIDE! Floated up, wide outside off, goes straight on and Gurbaz lets it be. Wide called.

Flat and a bit fuller outside off, Rasooli reaches out and slaps it to deep point for a single.

We have reached the halfway point in the second inning. Afghanistan have lost three of their batters and scored 93 runs on the board so far. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is leading the batting unit from the moment he stepped at the crease and he also notched up his fourth T20 World Cup half-century. They need 95 more runs off 60 balls in this chase.

The call is for two and this time, they do get it. Good length outside off, hit on the up and to the right of sweeper cover for a brace. Afghanistan are 93/3 after 10 overs.

FOUR! That's eye-catching strokeplay from Gurbaz. Full and wide outside off, Gurbaz staps across to the off side, goes on one knee and lifts it over covers for a boundary.

Full, darted in at the toes. Darwish Rasooli gets the front leg out of the way and jams it wide of square leg for a single.

Short of a good length, angling across off, Rasooli blocks it off.

Tap and run! Relatively full, shaping in from off stump, Gurbaz leans on and pokes it towards mid off before picking up a quick single.

Pitched up fuller and around middle and leg, Rasooli clears the front leg and shanks the lofted shot down to long on for a single.

George Linde hasn't quite found his rhythm in this game. He is replaced once again in the attack as Marco Jansen comes back on. 10 runs off his first over.

Too short and too wide, slower in the air. DR flashes his blade to deep point and picks up a run.

Quick single! A bit too full, outside off, Gurbaz crunches it to cover, towards Aiden Markram and runs across.

Fractionally short and around off, no pace behind it. Darwish Rasooli hoicks it across to deep mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Close to the tramline outside off, fuller-length. Darwish Rasooli leaves for a wide.

Too full, floated and on middle, Darwish Rasooli hangs back and pats it back to the bowler.

Well bowled! Keshav Maharaj gives a lot of air and bowls it wide of off, turning away. Arrives late towards Darwish Rasooli, who tries to slog-sweep but misses.

Length delivery, outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz punches it through covers for a single.

Hesitation again, but the batters are safe! Fuller delivery on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it with soft hands to mid-wicket and rings for two. George Linde runs across and slides. He misfields but Gurbaz doesn't want to risk another wicket and settles down.

Clear and loud call for 'two', but good fielding keeps them down to one. Tossed up, outside off, Darwish Rasooli strokes it down to deep cover for a single.

LEG BYE! Angling on the pads, Gurbaz fails to flick and it rolls off the pads to square leg for a leg bye.

SIX! Fifty for Rahmanullah Gurbaz! His fourth T20 World Cup half-century. What a shot this is. Not that short, Linde gives a lot of width outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets underneath the ball and slashes it flat and over extra cover for a six. Gurbaz raises his bat and gestures towards the dugout, not to worry, as if to say he has it all under control. That kind of body language speaks volumes about confidence.

Linde slows up the pace and gives some air, this is on middle, RG taps it on the deck.

SIX! THAT IS HUGE! Rahmanullah Gurbaz is playing on a different deck. Pushed through, bowls in the slot and around off, Gurbaz launches it high and handsomely over long off for a six.

Bowling change? Yes, spin from both ends. George Linde (1-0-17-0) is back on.

A single to end the over as Rahmanullah Gurbaz hits this length ball to cover.

The call is for 'two', they settle with a run! Maharaj pushes it fuller and outside off, too wide. Darwish Rasooli plays it to cover for one more.

Flatter trajectory, wide outside off. Gurbaz slaps it hard and to deep cover for a single.

WIDE! Flirts with the tramline and bowls it very full. RG makes room and ends up leaving it.

Keshav Maharaj tosses it up, length ball, outside off, Gurbaz crunches it wide of deep point for two more.

Drifts in a length ball onto the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz is quick to get on his knee, he sweeps it behind square leg where Kagiso Rabada sweeps it up. Two runs are taken.

Dragged length, quicker and outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz bends low and cuts it hard but straight to point.

Done with the first 6 overs. Afghanistan are keeping up with the required rate but have already lost 3 wickets. Also, Keshav Maharaj is now brought into the attack.

A dot to finish off a positive over from Kagiso Rabada! Short of a length, just outside off, Darwish Rasooli attempts a pull shot but misses the connection. 5 runs and a wicket from it. 56/3 in the Powerplay.

Full, on middle, Darwish Rasooli flicks it but straight to the short mid-wicket fielder.

Back of a length, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it to square leg for a single.

Fuller, angling in, around leg. Darwish Rasooli flicks it from the inner half of his bat to the right of the short mid-wicket fielder. The deep square leg fielder moves to his left and cuts it to three runs.

DRINKS! From 51/0, Afghanistan have slipped to 52/3 in the blink of an eye. The variations from the Proteas seamers have caused immense trouble to the Asian team. Afghanistan are still on track, they just need to absorb some pressure and build a big partnership, while South Africa will like to carry this momentum into the consolidation phase and hope their spinners can cause more trouble. Darwish Rasooli is the next batter in.

OUT! TAKEN! Afghanistan lose their third wicket in the space of seven balls, and oh boy, what a take that is from Marco Jansen. Kagiso Rabada bowls this one on a good length, around the thigh pad of the batter. Sediqullah Atal gets inside the line and looks to tickle it but the ball flies toward the left of Marco Jansen in the short fine leg region, who dives and takes a spectacular catch. Gurbaz is left stranded at the other end right now, with wickets falling left, right and center.

Yorker, on leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens his stance, but ends up jamming it to backward point and gets a one run.

Pitches it up, does Ngidi, outside off, Sediqullah Atal leans towards the delivery and defends it to the off side.

Slower and much fuller, wide outside off, Sediqullah Atal jams it from the outer half of his bat to deep third for no runs.

One brings two. An inspiring change from Aiden Markram has brought him two wickets. Sediqullah Atal comes in for Gulbadin Naib.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! What a comeback over from Lungi Ngidi. Another slower ball, Ngidi goes wider on the crease and pitches it up on a nagging length around middle. Gulbadin Naib misreads the pace completely and leans on to push at it. The ball holds in the deck and lobs off the face of the blade. Ngidi takes a brilliant diving catch to his right in the follow-through, and Naib has to walk back after a two-ball duck.

Ngidi has tried it again. Slower one, full and dips on the batter but this one just slips down leg. Gulbadin Naib gets inside the line to flick but misses and it is given as a fair delivery.

The 51-run opening stand is broken. Gulbadin Naib comes in and replaces Ibrahim Zadran.

OUT! CASTLED! The Proteas get their first breakthrough, and it's Lungi Ngidi who breaks this dangerous-looking partnership. This is a bit slower and fuller, pitching just outside off and shaping back in. Ibrahim Zadran charges down the deck to flick it with power towards the leg side, but misses and the ball dips and crashes into the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran departs, scoring 12 off 10 balls.

Slower low full toss, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it to the right of the mid on fielder and gets across for a single.

SIX! Oh, this is brilliant hitting from the Afghan openers and the 50 is already up for Afghanistan. Flighted ball at the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran steps out and clobbers it over wide long on for a biggie. Zadran barely got to the pitch of the ball, still managed to generate the power.

Flat and fuller, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran attempts to cut it but misses on the connection.

FOUR! Ibrahim Zadran is not holding back. A touch fuller, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran puts on his dancing shoes and smashes it over the mid on fielder to get four more runs.

Fuller, on off, Zadran drives it to the short cover fielder.

Full, on middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz eases it to mid on for a single.

SIX! Exceptional from Gurbaz! George Linde sees the batter making room leg side and angles it in. Rahmanullah Gurbaz holds his shape and plays it inside out and sends the ball sailing over the wide long off fence for half a dozen.

An over each for the Proteas pacers so far. Time for George Linde to roll his arms now.

Another play and a miss. Full and in the channel, drawing out the drive from Zadran but the ball beats the willow once again. 10 runs off KG's first over.

Pitched up, very full and outside off. Ibrahim Zadran jams his bat across but the ball swings away past the blade.

Nicely bowled. Slower from Rabada, angled well into the batter. Gurbaz gets cramped for room even as he tries to back away and chops it down to short fine leg for a single.

WIDE! Slower one, full and just angled down the leg side.

Back of a length again, rising extra off the deck. Zadran gets up on his toes and angles it down to deep third for one more.

Back of a length, straighter in line, nudged away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Rahmanullah Gurbaz is fighting fire with fire. KG begins with a shortish ball around off, pace on as well. Gurbaz backs away and carves it over deep third for another biggie. It is brilliantly held by someone in the crowd as well.

Just one for Lungi Ngidi. Kagiso Rabada is into the attack.

Slightly short and outside off, cut away straight to point.

Good length on the pads, tucked away 'round the corner on the leg side for a single.

Oh, buzzers! Back of a length and angled across off, Gurbaz taps it to the left of George Linde at cover-point and wanders down the pitch. Linde tries to keep him honest and fires in a throw at the keeper's end. It is a direct hit but the ball deflects away and the batters end up picking up two overthrows.

SIX! All the way and that's the first six of the chase. Dug in very short and angled across off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away a bit and opens the face of the blade to ramp it over deep third for a biggie.

Good length on middle, Gurbaz looks to turn it leg side but closes the bat face early and nudges it down back to the bowler.

That's a fine stop from George Linde. Short of a length and angled across off, Zadran stands tall and pats it away to the left of cover-point. Linde lunges across and makes a half stop, keeping it down to a single.

Will South Africa bowl a spinner from the other end? No, Marco Jansen to steam in...

A dot to end but Afghanistan are off to a flier. Good length, albeit a touch fuller and around off. Gurbaz defends it to square cover.

FOUR! Stylishly picked up by Gurbaz. Hard length on middle, angling in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets inside the line and whips it wristily over square leg for a boundary. 13 off the first over, already.

Much better from Ngidi. Good length, around the top of off, blocked off.

FIVE WIDES! That's a wild delivery from Ngidi. Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves past the leg stump early and this forces the bowler to follow him. Ngidi bangs it in a bit short and the ball swings down the leg side and rolls away into the fine leg fence.

Back of a length, well outside off again, Gurbaz gets on his toes and taps it down to covers.

FOUR! A gift from Ngidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz obliges. Juicy full toss outside off, Gurbaz leans on and drives it between mid off and covers and picks up a boundary to get going.

A bit of shape to begin with. On a good length and well outside off, moves away from the right-hander and Gurbaz leaves it alone.

OUT! TAKEN! A wicket to end proceedings in the first innings. Another off-paced delivery from Azmatullah Omarzai, bowled into the surface and there's that tennis-ball-like bounce on display again. Marco Jansen fetches to pull but gets a top edge over mid on. Sediqullah Atal comes in from the deep and slides in to take a solid catch. Jansen's cameo of 16 (7) comes to an end and South Africa finish with 187/6 on the board.

Change-up from Azmat. Slower one into the deck, angled into the batter. Jansen looks to pull but misses.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Full and outside off, Omarzai misses his mark with the yorker. Jansen stays deep in the crease and pummels it wide of long off for a boundary.

Banged in short over off, a bit slower too. Miller rocks back and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

SIX! Into the crowd. Overpitched from Azmat, well outside off. David Miller extends the arms and just caresses the lofted shot over long off for a maximum.

Slower one, bowled full and outside off. The ball grips and nips away a bit. Miller has a wild swing across the line but misses.

A good yorker to end the 19th over but 17 runs still come off it. Full and angled in a bit from outside off, lands on the popping crease. Jansen jams it out to extra cover.

SIX! Marco Jansen is on the charge! Slower ball, on the shorter side and outside off. Sits up for the tall Jansen and he just waits back before swatting it back over the bowler's head for a biggie. 17 off it already.

Even fuller and outside off, squeezed away to the left of sweeper cover this time for a couple of runs more.

FOUR! Oh, that should have been stopped. Farooqi comes around the wicket to Jansen and angles in a full ball from outside off. MJ gets low and strokes it on the up, wide of Ibrahim Zadran at sweeper cover and he is unable to make up the ground to his right.

Gets the yorker spot-on this time, does Farooqi. Full and straight, tailing in a bit. Miller digs it out in front of square leg and picks up a single.

FOUR! The bowler misses his mark but Miller doesn't. A juicy full toss on middle, Miller heaves it away towards cow corner and the ball races away to the fence.

South Africa have lost the plot after that heavy partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock. Credit to Afghanistan for pulling things back. Marco Jansen is the new batter in, replacing Tristan Stubbs.

OUT! CAUGHT! A quick in and out for Tristan Stubbs and Azmatullah Omarzai ends the over with his second wicket. Back to over the wicket for the right-hander, pitched up fuller and on off. Stubbs lunges across and tries to lap it away but ends up angling it towards short fine leg. Mujeeb Ur Rahman clings on to a low catch down to his left and Stubbs has to walk back after making just 1 (2).

BYE! Slower one into the pitch, this is bowled from around the wicket. Miller looks to pull and misses. The keeper gets a bad bounce and the ball deflects off his pads to short third. The batters get a bye.

Pitched up fuller and angled well across the left-hander, Miller reaches out and hammers it to the left of sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Good length on top of off, punched down to mid off for a single.

Out goes Dewald Brevis, in comes Tristan Stubbs.

OUT! CAUGHT! A soft dismissal and Afghanistan get another timely wicket. Azmatullah Omarzai switches to pace off and bowls another short ball, wide outside off. Instead of going for the cut, Dewald Brevis tries to fetch the ball and pull it across. Brevis ends up toe-ending it flat towards mid off, where Mohammad Nabi takes a simple catch. Brevis departs for 23 (19) and SA are now 155/4.

Short ball, hammered into the pitch and outside off. Brevis stays back and swats it across between long on and deep mid-wicket for a couple of handy runs.

Pace from both ends? Yes, Azmatullah Omarzai (2-0-25-0) is back on.

Back of a length and outside off, punched away square through the off side for a single.

SIX! That's flown away, slightly unlucky for the bowler. Another skiddy bumper, this time over middle and leg. Dewald Brevis looks to pull off the back foot but gets a top edge that flies over short fine and goes all the way. The 150 is now up for South Africa.

Takes pace off now and bowls it a tad shorter, Miller stays low and pulls it to deep square leg for one more.

Back of a length and around off, Brevis hops up and forces the punch to sweeper cover for a single.

Oh, that's well bowled! A skiddy bumper, lands it on off and gets it to angle away with extra bounce. Brevis takes a step to the off side but lets it go in hope of a wide. Fair delivery.

Slower one, into the pitch and over middle, Miller gets on his toes and swipes it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowling change. Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-0-5-1) replaces Rashid Khan.

Full, around off, David Miller pushes it to long on for a single.

A touch shorter, on middle, Dewald Brevis taps it to backward point for a single.

Short, angling in, around the pads. David Miller tucks it through square leg for one.

Short, and outside off, Dewald Brevis punches it from his back foot to cover for one.

FOUR! Thumped away! Googly and much fuller, on leg. Dewald Brevis makes room and drills it through the line toward the right of the long off region for four runs.

Short, on middle and off, Dewald Brevis eases it back to the bowler.

Full, on middle, Dewald Brevis stays on his back foot and pushes it to long on for one. Rashid Khan finishes off with 4-0-28-2.

Short and wide outside off, Dewald Brevis camps back and looks to spank it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Googly again, angling in, a touch fuller, down the leg side. Dewald Brevis make room and punches it to toward wide sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Googly, short and outside off, Dewald Brevis slaps it to cover.

Short, on off, Dewald Brevis stabs it to cover-point.

Fuller, just outside off, David Miller prods and drives it from the outer part of his bat to the left of point for a single.

DRINKS BREAK! This match is just starting to heat up now. After a brilliant second-wicket stand worth 114 runs, Afghanistan have now got a new life thanks to their talismanic skipper. His double-wicket over, sending back both set batters, has levelled the playing field a bit. South Africa still have plenty of firepower in the shed and it will be interesting to see how things pan out from here.

Fuller, on middle, David Miller gets to his front foot and drives it to long on for a comfortable single.

Full, wide outside off, David Miller drives it to cover.

Short, just outside off, David Miller pushes it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, around off, googly, Dewald Brevis opens the face of his bat and eases it toward right of short third to get a quick single.

Short, around middle and leg, Dewald Brevis pushes it back to the bowler.

Much fuller, wide outside off, Dewald Brevis drills it through cover, toward wide of the sweeper cover fielder for a couple of runs.

The next batter is David Miller.

OUT! LBW! Oh, that looks absolutely plumb. Ryan Rickelton has taken the review. Was the impact outside the line? No, it's THREE REDS on the Ball Tracking. The Afghan skipper has both the set batters in his pocket. Rashid Khan serves a flatter trajectory delivery from around the wicket, around off, it lands and turns in sharply, pegging Ryan Rickelton on the back foot as he tries to work it away. Ryan misses and wears it on the pads. Right in front. Rickelton goes and takes a review with him.

Hesitation between the sticks but the fielding is not at par. Length delivery, outside off, Dewald Brevis chops it to the right of point. A miscommunication between the batters but a misfield in the field allows them to sneak in a run. Rashid Khan shows his disappointment.

End of a 114-run stand between Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton. In comes Dewald Brevis, at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack and gets a big, big wicket. This is a tad shorter, on off, Quinton de Kock crouches down on one knee and sweeps it uppishly towards the deep mid-wicket region. Ibrahim Zadran runs forward and pouches the catch safely into his hands. Quinton de Kock departs but he has done his job, scoring 59 off 41 balls.

Full, on off, Ryan Rickelton nudges it across the line to mid-wicket and gets a single.

Short, on middle and off. Quinton de Kock works it to mid-wicket for a single.

Short, on leg, Quinton de Kock misses his flick and gets a bit of an inside edge to onto his front pad.

Rashid Khan is back into the attack. Two overs for 21 for him, so far. This could be a crucial over.

Back of a length, in the channel, outside off, de Kock cuts it through point and retains the strike. 13 runs off the over. South Africa are unstoppable right now.

Fractionally full and outside off, stroked past cover for a single.

SIX! Ryan Rickelton moves ahead of Quinton de Kock! He moves to 59. Azmatullah Omarzai errs in line and drifts it onto the pads. Ryan Rickelton wrists it aerially and over square leg for a biggie.

Bangs it into the surface, wide outside off. Ryan Rickelton gets on top of the bounce and pats it wide of deep point for a brace.

Extra pace and bounce from Omarzai! Shorter and outside off, punched through point for a single.

Excellent running! These two have added 100 runs together now! Who said they can't play together? Back of a length, outside off, Quinton de Kock hops and punches it square on the off side for a couple of runs. QDK makes his end with a dive.

Pace is brought back into the attack. Azmatullah Omarzai comes in to replace Noor Ahmad. Azmat went for 12 runs in his first over.

SIX! The apprentice follows the master's every step. Fifty for Ryan Rickelton now. Straighter delivery, looped up on off. Ryan Rickelton slog-sweeps, high and long enough over the long on fence for a biggie.

Flighted full and on middle, nudged to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Fifty for Quinton de Kock. Fifth in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. A half-tracker, around off. Quinton de Kock rocks back and pulls with the turn, over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Mujeeb pushes it full and around off, close to the stumps and Quinton de Kock fends it on the leg side.

Slower in the air, flighted full and on off, RR drills it to long on for a single. 100 up for South Africa.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman serves it too full and on middle, it is turned to deep mid-wicket for a single by QDK.

Halfway through the first innings. South Africa got only 43 runs in the Powerplay, and in the next 4 overs that followed, they have picked up 55 runs. Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-0-17-0) is back on.

That was a close second run! Even QDK knows it. Tossed up, fuller and around off, Ryan Rickelton nudges it with soft hands in front of square on the leg side and calls for two. A risky second and Quinton de Kock pushes for it. The fielder has a long range shy but misses at the bowler's end. 23 runs off Ahmad's first over.

FOUR! Runs are flowing! Noor Ahmad doesn't correct his line, keeps bowling too full and too wide. Ryan Rickelton crunches it past the cover fielder for yet another boundary.

FOUR! 17 already off the over! Overpitched and wide outside off, asking to be hit. Bread and butter for any left-hander. RR leans and firmly drives it through covers for a boundary.

SIX! South Africa are rocking at Ahmedabad! Ahmad pushes the fuller delivery, wide outside off, Ryan Rickelton plants his front foot across, drags his slog-sweep over cow corner for half a dozen.

Drifts it fuller and on the pads, it's flicked to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! QDK welcomes Noor Ahmad to Ahmedabad with a massive biggie. Floats it on the up and errs a bit by bowling on leg, Quinton de Kock bends slightly and hammers it over long on for a six.

Mohammad Nabi to continue? No. Rashid brings in Noor Ahmad from the other end.

Quicker through the air, on leg stump, QDK presses back and works it wide of mid-wicket for a single. 11 runs off the over and South Africa are now motoring along.

Slightly more flighted, fuller and outside off, de Kock drives it to cover.

Very short and at the batter, Rickelton swivels in his crease and pulls it firmly to deep backward square leg for a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Flat and full, around off and middle, Rickelton sits down and forces the reverse sweep over backward point and after hitting the turf, the ball rolls away to the fence.

Flatter one on the pads, nudged away down to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Uh, oh! Sediqullah Atal is completely undone by the spin. Tossed up on leg, Quinton de Kock clears the front leg and lifts it straight down the ground. The fielder at long on moves to his right but overruns the ball and concedes a boundary.

Tap and run! Slower one, shorter and on off. QDK walks out of his crease and nudges it in front of covers for an easy single.

Shorter length outside off, cut away off the back foot and behind point for one.

Flatter delivery around off, slides right on and Rickelton punches it to covers.

SIX! That's brilliantly struck and up comes the 50-run stand between these two. Fuller and at the stumps, Rickelton goes down on one knee and wallops it over cow corner for a biggie.

Gets away with it, does Rickelton. Fuller on middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton sits down to sweep but miscues it off the top edge. The ball lands behind the keeper and spins fine off the short fine leg fielder as the batters complete two runs.

On a dragged length, drifted into the batter, de Kock hops back and nudges it past square leg for a single.

Shorter in length and outside off, cut away off the back foot to sweeper cover for a single.

WIDE! A leg-break now, on a good length on leg, spins in and goes past the pads. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pouches and appeals, probably to put the umpire away from giving the wide call.

Dragged a bit shorter and on leg stump, Rickelton presses back and dabs it past mid-wicket for another single.

Flatter one on the pads, worked away past square leg for one. The 50 is now up for South Africa.

SIX! That's a mighty blow from QDK! Tossed up fuller and around middle, Quinton de Kock is early to back away and he launches the ball over long off for a biggie.

Fuller in length, on leg, de Kock looks to work it leg side but nearly chips it back to the bowler.

Rashid starts with a straighter one on middle, de Kock leans on and plays it back to the bowler.

DRINKS BREAK! Time for a break and so far, it has been a fairly even start for both sides. Afghanistan have picked up a big wicket early on, whereas South Africa are now starting to find their feet in the contest. Both Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton have gotten off to decent starts but the next phase will be crucial. Afghanistan will hope that the duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad weave their magic in the middle phase, as the Proteas will now look to consolidate. With that said, Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack.

Short, on off and middle, Quinton de Kock pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 9 runs coming off from Nabi's first over!

Quicker and fuller, on off, Ryan Rickelton drives it gently to long off for a single.

Short, on off, Quinton de Kock pushes it to cover for a single.

FOUR! That has been nicely played! Quinton de Kock is looking so confident with his shots. This is short and outside off, Quinton de Kock makes room by moving toward the leg side and expands his arms to cut it late and into the gap between backward point and point for four runs.

Short, on off, angling in, Ryan Rickelton tucks it with soft hands to short mid-wicket for a single.

Quick running between the wickets! Full, on off and middle, Quinton de Kock nudges it to the front of mid on fielder and sprints to get a quick run.

Double change? Yes! Mohammad Nabi to bowl the final over of the Powerplay, replacing Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Also, this is Nabi's 150th T20I game.

A bit of misfield! On a hard length, away from the off pole. Ryan Rickelton opens the face of the bat and guides it toward the right of the backward point fielder, but he fumbles to field it and the batter gets the window to take two runs.

Slower and on a length, outside off, Quinton de Kock steers it wide of deep third for a single.

On a length, angling in around the pads, Ryan Rickelton flicks it to wide of mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Great shot from Rickelton! Back of a length, outside off, Ryan Rickelton gets on his back foot and pulls it across the line, wide of the short mid-wicket fielder for four more runs.

Short, on off, Ryan Rickelton dabs it to cover.

FOUR! Up and over! Azmatullah Omarzai scoots from around the wicket and starts off with a fuller one, on the fifth stump line. Ryan Rickelton lunges toward the delivery and uses his bottom hand to punch it over the leaping short cover fielder for the boundary.

Will Fazalhaq Farooqi get a third over? No, instead, we will see the first bowling change. Azmatullah Omarzai comes into the attack now.

Fullish length on middle, angled in, De Kock pats it down the deck.

FOUR! More runs for the Proteas! Rahman drags his length back, Quinton de Kock hangs deep into the crease, crouches a bit low and cuts it into the gap between cover and point for four runs.

SIX! BANG! The fireworks have started. Pitches it up, does Rahman, on off, angling in. Quinton de Kock clears his front foot and swings his arms to slog it up and over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen.

Fuller, on off, Quinton de Kock nudges it once again to short mid-wicket.

Fuller now, on middle, angling in, Quinton de Kock works it to short mid-wicket.

Short and outside off. Quinton de Kock expands his front foot and slaps late at it, but finds the fielder in the backward point region.

This is really good bowling from Fazalhaq Farooqi. Just 5 runs and a wicket off his two overs. Serves it full and offers some width. Ryan Rickelton drives well but straight to short cover.

Short of a good length, outside off, this is punched to cover.

Welcomes Ryan with a top nut! Presents the seam towards third man, this is slightly fuller and around the sixth stump line. Ryan Rickelton half-presses across to hit it away but gets beaten.

The Proteas skipper departs. Ryan Rickelton joins Quinton de Kock.

OUT! TAKEN! Fazalhaq Farooqi draws first blood. A nice deceptive slower delivery from Fazalhaq, pitches it in the slot. Aiden Markram is a bit early as he tries to launch this away but miscues it high and to mid off where Mohammad Nabi takes a couple of steps back and pouches it. An early breakthrough for Afghanistan and South Africa lose their captain with just 12 runs on the board.

Gets closer to the off pole, fractionally short. Quinton de Kock hops to push it away but gets a thick inside edge, past the stumps and in front of short fine leg for a single.

Fazalhaq Farooqi tries to shape it away from the batter but the ball lands and nips in, outside off and on a length. Quinton de Kock tries to punch it away without much foot movement and gets beaten.

Floats it up, tad fuller and sliding away a touch. Quinton de Kock bends across and knocks it to long off and keeps the strike.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman targets the stumps, tosses it up. Aiden Markram drills it to long on for a single.

A bit too full and around off, flatter trajectory. This is punched to cover for a single.

Was that a chance? The wide is not given! Drifts it into the batter, turning in as well. Quinton de Kock leans to defend it but gets a faint inside edge to the keeper, who fumbles to collect it.

FOUR! Quinton de Kock is up and running! Pitches it up and gets it to swing away but gives a lot of room outside off. Quinton de Kock is quick to get on his knee, firmly hits it over extra cover for a boundary.

Tosses it up from around the wicket to the left-hander, around off and turning away. QDK taps it to cover.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman will share the new ball with Fazalhaq Farooqi.

FOUR! South Africa are underway! Beautiful shot from Markram! Fazalhaq Farooqi overpitches it, well outside off, Aiden leans and crunches it through covers. A fast outfield and the ball races away to the fence.

Nicely bowled! Takes the ball away from the batter once again. Bowls it touch shorter and around off, lot of movement on this one. Aiden Markram has a poke at it but misses. A muted appeal from the keeper but just got carried away there.

Outswinger, pitches it on leg, Aiden Markram is pegged back as he keeps it out on the leg side.

Touch fuller, around off, no movement on this one. Aiden Markram taps with soft hands back to the bowler.

Overpitched, across the batter and tempts Aiden to go for the big drive but the ball swings in late and takes the inside edge. It rolls off the pads on the off side.

Bang on the money! A good length delivery, around off with a little bit of inward shape. Aiden Markram defends it back to Fazalhaq Farooqi.

All in readiness now for the game to begin. The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Afghanistan. The duo of Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock is all set to open the innings for South Africa. Fazalhaq Farooqi has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go. Just one slip in place, let's go...

Time for the anthems - The match officials make their way out to the middle, followed by the two sets of players and their mascots. The players of South Africa and Afghanistan line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the anthem of Afghanistan first, followed by that of South Africa.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (C), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad (In for Ziaur Rahman), and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, George Linde (In for Corbin Bosch), Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, and Lungi Ngidi.

The captain of South Africa - Aiden Markram says they would have bowled first as well. Feels there will be some moisture in the field but happy to bat and are looking forward to putting a good total on the board. Acknowledges the form of every player in the previous game but Aiden wants to keep raising the bar. Informs that George Linde comes in as the extra spinner on this pitch, in place of Corbin Bosch.

The skipper of Afghanistan - Rashid Khan says that it's a good wicket to bowl first and they will prefer to chase. Continues that after the loss against the Kiwis, he and his team are ready to fetch the win as it's a must win game for them. They are not thinking much about the result and they will play with positive energy.

TOSS - It's toss time in Ahmedabad. Aiden Markram and Rashid Khan are out in the middle. Rashid calls 'Heads' correctly. Afghanistan will BOWL first.

Pitch report - Raunak Kapoor and former Protea spearhead Dale Steyn are pitchside. Raunak starts by mentioning that there is a bias in terms of the square boundaries. On one side, it is 74 meters and on the other, it is 64 meters, while the straight hit is 72 meters. Adds that it is a fresh surface, Pitch number 7 to be exact and it looks green. Steyn chimes in and says that there are a couple of dry patches but the grass will hold the pitch nicely and there might be some seam and bounce. Stay tuned for toss and updates.

The Afghans are seeking their first win - Afghanistan enters this match looking to rebound after a challenging start, having lost their tournament opener to New Zealand by five wickets. Despite the loss, their batting unit showed resilience by posting a competitive 182, losing six wickets, anchored by a fiery 63 off 35 balls from Gulbadin Naib. The Afghan team will rely heavily on the leadership and experience of Rashid Khan, whose familiarity with the Ahmedabad venue from the IPL is expected to be a tactical advantage. Mujeeb Ur Rahman has also shown good early form with the ball, picking up 2/31 against the Kiwis, and will be a key figure in their spin-heavy attack alongside Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi.

The Proteas are on a mission - South Africa has made a dominant start to the tournament, currently sitting second in Group D after a convincing 57-run victory over Canada in their opening match. The Proteas posted a formidable total, showcasing their batting depth and aggressive intent. Skipper Aiden Markram has been the standout performer, leading from the front with a brisk 59 off 32 balls. He has been well-supported by David Miller, who remains a reliable finisher with an unbeaten 39 in the opener, and Tristan Stubbs, who contributed a quick 34. On the bowling front, Lungi Ngidi was exceptional against Canada, claiming 4 wickets for 31 runs to dismantle their middle order.

Greetings folks! Hello, and a very warm welcome to match number 13 of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, featuring a high-stakes Group D encounter between South Africa and Afghanistan, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India. This fixture is a critical battle as both teams eye a top-two finish to secure a spot in the Super Eight stage. 

... MATCHDAY ...

Remember the 2024 T20 WC semi-finals? Let's give you a small recap. Afghanistan were bowled out for a mere 56, and South Africa chased that down inside nine overs. Now, in 2026, they meet again. South Africa wants to prove they are still the boss, while Afghanistan is hungry to show they have grown and learned from that painful night. South Africa’s batting is dangerous - South Africa arrives in Ahmedabad with the engine already humming. Their emphatic 57-run victory over Canada in the group opener served as a perfect warm-up, shaking off any tournament rust. They have power hitters from the top of the order all the way to the end. Quinton de Kock is back to his best, hitting the ball cleanly and scoring fast runs. Aiden Markram is leading the team well and scoring runs too. When you add the power of Brevis, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs in the final overs, it becomes very hard for any bowler to stop them. Their bowlers are also doing a great job. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen are bowling fast, while Lungi Ngidi was the player of the match against Canada in the previous game with a four-wicket haul. They look like a complete team that is ready to win the trophy. Afghanistan’s search for momentum - Afghanistan comes into this game after a stinging loss to New Zealand. Placed in one of the toughest groups in this World Cup, Afghanistan cannot afford another defeat, as that can virtually slash their chances in half for the Super 8s. And with them rostered against two back-to-back strong teams, the margin of error has literally zeroed down. Their bowling is their superpower. Rashid Khan is fit and bowling magic balls that batters can't read. He has help from other spinners like Mujeeb Ur Rahman. If the pitch in Ahmedabad helps the spinners even a little bit, Afghanistan can cause big trouble for the South African batters. They are not the same team that collapsed two years ago, they are smarter and tougher now. Team Form (Last 5 T20Is, latest result first) - South Africa - WLLWL | Afghanistan - LLWWW. What to expect? The narrative of 'pace vs spin' is too simplistic for the two sides this evolved. The battle will likely be won in the Powerplay. If Afghanistan’s openers can withstand the new-ball burst from Jansen, Ngidi and Rabada, unlike in their last World Cup meeting, they have their spin to strangle South Africa in the middle overs. However, South Africa currently possesses a batting lineup that is packed with players in peak franchise form. Expect Afghanistan to come hard, driven by the memory of 56 all out, but they face a Proteas unit that looks composed and hungry to upgrade their status from runners-up to champions. It won’t be an easy game for South Africa this time, though. Afghanistan is ready to fight, and they want to rewrite history. Expect a close and exciting contest.