South Africa snatch victory from jaws of defeat in epic double super over against Afghanistan
Updated . First published at
South Africa have pulled off one of the most stunning victories in T20 World Cup history, defeating Afghanistan in a very rare double super over.
The scores were tied at 187 after Afghanistan lost their final wicket in regulation with two balls to spare, forcing a super over between the two sides.
Afghanistan batted first and made 17 runs from six balls as Azmatullah Omarzai went berserk with two fours and one six, putting the Proteas on shaky ground.
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South Africa were scrambling in reply but on the final ball, Tristan Stubbs launched a six that only just over the boundary fielder's head to match Afghanistan's total of 17.
Tristan Stubbs hits a six from the final ball of the first super over. Prime Video
The scores being locked again meant that a second super over would be required, this time with the Proteas sent out to bat first.
David Miller hit two sixes from four balls faced and lifted his side to a strong total of 23 that was going to take plenty of chasing from Afghanistan.
In reply, Mohammad Nabi was out for a second-ball duck and all hoped looked lost, but it still managed to go down to the final delivery again.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz had blasted three sixes in a row and with spinner Keshav Maharaj looking nervous under pressure, he bowled a wide which meant Afghanistan only needed a four from the final ball to force a third super over.
Maharaj then found his composure and took the wicket of Gurbaz, who chipped a ball to an off-side fielder and sealed the result for South Africa in thrilling fashion.
Keshav Maharaj celebrates with teammates. ICC via Getty Images
Earlier in the match, the Proteas got off to a rocky start when opener Aiden Markram was out cheaply for five, before Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton steadied the ship.
De Kock scored 59 off 41 balls that included eight boundaries, while Rickelton top scored with a dominant 61 off 28 deliveries, belting four maximums.
Their 114-run partnership put South Africa in a strong position and catapulted them towards a solid total of 6-187 at the end of their 20 overs.
In reply, Afghanistan were led by Gurbaz (84 off 42) but started to fall away late and were bowled out for 187 after 19.4 overs.
