Afghanistan T20 World Cup scenarios: Are Afghanistan out and South Africa through to Super 8?

T20 World Cup 2026 produced its most entertaining game on Wednesday (11 February) as South Africa and Afghanistan played two Super Overs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. There were a handful of people in the stands, but most would not wish they were there to watch this epic.

T20 World Cup 2026:  News |  Schedule |  Results |  Points Table

Afghanistan fought hard and valiantly, but South Africa held their nerves at the end to get out of the jail after back-to-back Super Overs, and registered their second consecutive win of the tournament. Afghanistan are now in danger of getting eliminated.

SA win Super Over thriller vs AFG

After they failed to make 13 in the final over of the 20-over match, the game progressed to the first Super Over. Batting first, Afghanistan made 17/0 with Azmatullah Omarzai smashing a six and two fours.

In reply, Fazalhaq Farooqi gave away a six against Dewald Brevis, but had him caught behind, soon after. Eventually, the equation came down to Proteas needing seven from the last ball to win. While a victory seemed improbable, Tristan Stubbs hit a six down the ground on the last ball to force a second Super Over.

More from First Cricket

India vs Zimbabwe LIVE Score, T20 World Cup 2026: Kishan falls for 38 after Abhishek completes fifty What is the US-imported chemical reportedly being used to prevent dew during India's do-or-die clash at Chepauk?

WOW! ANOTHER SUPER OVER!

We've never seen anything like this in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

You simply cannot miss this action.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | SA 🆚 AFG | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/hgh4SaHBjk pic.twitter.com/x6HXtGAwic

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 11, 2026

This time, batting first, Stubbs smashed a six off Azmatullah before David Miller struck two more to hand Afghanistan a target of 24.

The chase got off to a horrible start for Afghanistan as Keshav Maharaj bowled a dot ball on the first delivery, followed by Mohammad Nabi’s dismissal. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, however, turned things around quickly with three consecutive sixes.

With six needed from the last ball, Maharaj fired in a wide delivery, before he redeemed himself by dismissing Gurbaz on the last ball, and virtually ensured that South Africa are into the Super 8.

A game for the ages! Afghanistan gave it everything they could.

South Africa wins an edge-of-the-seat thriller after TWO Super Overs! 😱

In one of the greatest games in T20 World Cup history, the Protea Fire prevails! 🔥

ICC Men's T20 World Cup - SA 🆚 AFG | HIGHLIGHTS 👉… pic.twitter.com/HFaPmVA52j

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 11, 2026

New Zealand and South Africa are currently ranked first and second, respectively, in Group D, but both teams have two points each. The top two teams will qualify for the Super 8, and Afghanistan are now third with zero points from two matches.

T20 World Cup 2026 Group D points table

While Afghanistan have matches left against the UAE and Canada, even two more wins may not help them. Afghanistan have already lost to both New Zealand and South Africa, which means both the Black Caps and the Proteas have at least one against an associate team.

Are Afghanistan out of T20 World Cup?

In such a scenario, you expect New Zealand to go through by either winning against South Africa or Canada. While South Africa have matches left against New Zealand and the UAE, and they can also easily qualify.

The winner of the NZ vs SA match is guaranteed to reach the Super 8, while the loser can still qualify if they win their other game.

The only way Afghanistan can qualify from here is if they win their remaining two matches and either South Africa or New Zealand lose both their matches. Even in such a case, Afghanistan will need to have a stronger net run rate (NRR) to finish in the second spot.