T20 World Cup: Cornered Afghanistan face uphill battle against South Africa

South Africa enter the contest brimming with confidence after an all-round show against Canada, where captain Aiden Markram led from the front with a brisk 59 and the batting unit powered past the 200-run mark.

David Miller’s unbeaten 39 provided further assurance, especially after doubts over his inclusion in the squad.

However, attention will also be on young Dewald Brevis, who managed only six in the previous game and has struggled for consistency in T20Is, with 31 being his highest score across his last 14 matches.

Adding to Afghanistan’s challenge is a poor head-to-head record, having lost all three previous T20 World Cup meetings against the Proteas — a history they must overcome to keep their Super Eight dream alive.

Afghanistan’s bowling unit failed to apply sustained pressure, with even skipper Rashid Khan enduring a rare off day as he conceded 1/36 in his four overs.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s figures of 2/31 stood out as the lone bright spot, underlining the need for sharper execution from the rest of the attack.

As the team moves to the world’s biggest stadium, Rashid’s extensive IPL experience at the venue could prove invaluable in guiding the side tactically.

The Afghans will need to rethink their bowling combinations, improve their powerplay discipline and rediscover their trademark spin dominance if they are to contain a strong South African batting lineup and revive their campaign.

Afghanistan’s batting display against New Zealand showed plenty of promise, highlighted by Gulbadin Naib’s explosive 35-ball 63 that powered them to a competitive 182 for six. Several batters chipped in with useful contributions, suggesting the lineup has the depth to challenge top teams.

However, questions were raised about team selection and bowling strategy, particularly the decision to leave out Noor Ahmad despite his experience of playing T20 cricket at Chepauk.

Instead, Afghanistan relied heavily on their fast bowlers, who struggled to execute their plans and delivered wayward spells at crucial moments. That tactical call proved costly as the Kiwis chased confidently, leaving Afghanistan searching for answers ahead of their next must-win encounter.

Group D is shaping up to be one of the most competitive pools in the tournament, with South Africa and New Zealand establishing early momentum.

The Proteas, runners-up in the last edition, have shown impressive balance and confidence, while the Kiwis remain a consistent threat.

Afghanistan, despite being viewed as one of the tournament’s dangerous sides, now find themselves under pressure to deliver results quickly.

With just a handful of league matches to decide the Super Eight spots, the margin for error has shrunk significantly. The coming fixtures are expected to be fiercely contested, as Afghanistan attempt to bounce back against two established powerhouses and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between South Africa and Afghanistan at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad,

With only two teams progressing to the Super Eight stage from each group, Afghanistan face a do-or-die situation when they take on an in-form South Africa in their Group D clash of the T20 World Cup today.

The Afghans slipped into a tricky position after a five-wicket defeat to New Zealand, which left them third on the table with a Net Run Rate of -1.162.

In contrast, South Africa sit comfortably at the top following a dominant 57-run victory over Canada that boosted their Net Run Rate to a commanding 2.850.

The tight qualification scenario means every game now carries massive stakes, and Afghanistan must not only secure a win but also improve their NRR to stay alive in the race for the next round.