T20 World Cup | Quick Comment: Why winning trial-by-fire match against Afghanistan makes South Africa favourites

Aiden Markram’s team bossed Canada in their T20 World Cup opener in Ahmedabad after posting a 217-plus target, but Afghanistan, no longer lightweights in T20 cricket expectedly gave them a run for their money at the same venue on Tuesday.

Fortunes changed so often in the game which needed two Super Overs to decide the winner that the ‘both-teams-deserved-to-win’ cliche felt apt to sum up the game. South Africa emerging victorious from the test of fire early in the month long tournament bodes well for the team which have found themselves wanting in the big moments in ICC white-ball tournaments through a combination of fate, nerves, bizzare rain rules and one New Zealander going by the name of Grant Elliot.

When the experienced fast bowler Kagiso Rabada bowled two no-balls to concede free-hits in the final over allowing Afghanistan to tie the game in normal time despite being bowled out in the final delivery, the momentum had shifted to the Asian team. Afghanistan twisted the knife when Azmatullah Omarzai hit 16 off 5 in the first Super Over, but Tristian Stubbs emerged as the hero with 10 off 3 and scores were tied for the second time in the game.

David Miller unlocked two sixes in four balls to set Afghanistan a 24-run target in the second Super Over. The drama was unending. Rahmanullah Gurbaz produced the ‘it ain’t over till it is over’ big hits; three sixes off spinner Keshav Maharaj. The final ball of the second Super Over was the moment of truth. Maharaj stayed composed in the heat of the battle. Despite conceding a wide when going for a full ball on the off-side, he went for the block-hole. Gurbaz didn’t have room to swing his arms and was caught at point.

South Africa made life difficult for themselves, were under pressure at various points in the match yet, nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory but the mental edge gained from winning a nail-biter of a double Super Over match will hold them in good stead.

Before reaching the final in Barbados in 2024, South Africa have had two semifinal appearances in the T20 World Cup. In the 50-over World Cup, South Africa have reached the semifinals five times, most recently in 2023 but have never progressed to the final.

Gone are the days when Afghanistan were seen as lightweights in T20 cricket. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and USA, they beat New Zealand and then added another feather to their hat by beating Australia for the first time in the shortest format in a Super 8 match to reach their first-ever T20 World Cup semifinal. Afghanistan are the second best T20 team in Asia. South Africa gave their fans many heart-stopping moments but winning an edge-of-the-seat thriller will be a physiological plus for a team yet to win a World Cup.

Nihal Koshie is an Associate Editor and sports writer at The Indian Express. He is best known for his in-depth reporting and investigative work that often explores the intersection of sports and social issues. He is also a key member of the sports desk, which is based out of The Indian Express' office in Noida. Professional Background Role: Associate Editor (Sports) at The Indian Express. Key Achievements: He is a two-time winner of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism. He won the RNG award for 'Sports Journalism' for 2019 for his exclusive interview and follow up stories with sprinter Dutee Chand, who became the first Indian athlete to say she was in a same-sex relationship. He won his second RNG award in the 'Investigative Reporting' for 2023 for a series of exclusive stories related to sexual harassment charges levelled against WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh by the country's top women wrestlers. Expertise: While he covers major sports, he is particularly recognized for his extensive reporting on Athletics, investigative stories and long-form news features. Recent Notable Topics & Articles (Late 2025) Nihal Koshie’s recent work reflects a focus on investigative and human-interest stories Recent investigative pieces: He recently wrote a profile of an Indian teenager serving a jail sentence in Kenya after being embroiled in a doping scandal while chasing "Olympic dreams." Wrestling: He continues to track the political and social fallout of the Indian wrestling protests, including the recent public appearances of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and the political career of wrestler Vinesh Phogat. Recent long-form features: The story of the rise of Kranti Gaud, the young fast bowler who was a key member of the ICC women's World Cup-winning team; The physics and science behind modern cricket bats Podcast Presence He is a guest and contributor to the "Game Time" podcast by The Indian Express, where he provides technical and social analysis of current sporting events. Experience: 24+ years Previous experience: Times of India (2001-2005), Daily News and Analysis (2005 to 2010) Nihal joined The Indian Express in May, 2010 Social Media X ( formerly Twitter) : @nkoshie You can follow his latest work and full archive on his official author profile. ... Read More

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