The gritty Afghans came agonisingly close to beating South Africa for the first time ever in the shortest format. Had they pulled it off against the 2024 runners-up on the global stage in India, it would have been a famous and richly deserved upset.

Afghanistan won the toss and Rashid Khan had no hesitation in sending South Africa in to bat.

Batting first, South Africa posted 187/6 in their 20 overs. It was competitive, but far from fluent. There was a sense that at least 15 to 20 runs had been left out in the middle.

Aiden Markram - Cricinfo

The Proteas were rocked early when captain Aiden Markram fell for 5 with the score on 12 in the third over. However, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton steadied the ship with a superb 114-run partnership for the second wicket.

De Kock struck 59 off 41 balls before being dismissed by Rashid Khan. Two balls later, the Afghan skipper trapped Rickelton LBW for a well-played 61 off 42.

Dewald Brevis chipped in with 23 before perishing to a loose shot, while David Miller provided a late push with 20 not out.

Azmatullah Omarzai was Afghanistan’s standout bowler with 3/41, while Rashid finished with 2/28.

In reply, wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz launched a brutal assault on the Proteas bowling attack, smashing 84 off just 42 balls to keep Afghanistan firmly in the hunt.

The momentum shifted in the 13th over when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Gurbaz. Two balls later, Darwish Rasooli was run out for 15, and suddenly South Africa were back in control.

But Afghanistan refused to lie down.

Rashid Khan celebrating Quinton de Kock's wicket - Cricinfo

Heading into the final over, they needed 13 to win with one wicket in hand. Drama followed immediately. Noor Ahmad was caught off the first ball - only for it to be called a no-ball by Kagiso Rabada. Rabada then sent down a wide. Ahmad smashed the third delivery for six, before another no-ball conceded three more runs.

With two runs needed off three balls, Fazalhaq Farooqi was run out in a desperate scramble, leaving the scores tied and setting up a Super Over. Lungi Ngidi had earlier been South Africa’s best bowler with 3/26.

Afghanistan batted first in the opening Super Over and posted 17. The Proteas matched it.

In the second Super Over, David Miller delivered under pressure, smashing 16 runs, with Tristan Stubbs adding 7 to set Afghanistan 24 to win.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz - Cricinfo

Gurbaz threatened to steal it in spectacular fashion, launching three consecutive sixes off Maharaj. But his 18 wasn’t enough, and South Africa finally staggered over the line after one of the most nerve-wracking finishes in recent memory.

Following the dramatic win, Rickelton admitted it was heart-stopping stuff and said it should serve as a warning to the Proteas.

“I think, obviously, the anxiety of that,” said Rickelton.

Kagiso Rabada running out Fazalhaq Farooqi - Cricinfo

“I said to Dave, who was next to me, ‘Come on, two dots, we win this game.’ Three sixes in a row just set the cat amongst the pigeons there. We were standing there thinking, surely not - this can’t be real. But we’re just over the moon that we managed to get over the line.

“It gives us a proper wake-up call. These are things you can’t take for granted.

“Afghanistan are a serious cricket team. No one takes them lightly. But when you have opportunities to close down a game, when you’ve got your foot on the throat, you can’t let any team back in.

Rashid Khan - Cricinfo

“So it’s a wake-up call in terms of keeping that edge and sharpness. When you get ahead, you’ve got to stay ahead.

“You’ve got to look after the small things because they can come back to bite you. It’s a good lesson for all of us, and there are a lot of areas we can improve.”

The Proteas now turn their attention to Rob Walter’s New Zealand, whom they face in Ahmedabad on Saturday in what promises to be another blockbuster clash.  The first ball is set to be bowled at 15:30.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport