How can Afghanistan qualify for Super 8 of T20 World Cup 2026 after loss to South Africa?
(Courtesy : ICC)
Afghanistan Cricket Team produced one of the best games in the history of ICC T20 World Cup against South Africa in Ahmedabad.
Afghanistan suffered a double Super Over loss to South Africa in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 11, marking their second consecutive loss in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. This has now placed them in a tricky situation going forward in the tournament.
Afghanistan, chasing 188 to win against the Proteas, lost their final wicket on 187 with Mujeeb Ur Rahman getting run out when Afghanistan needed 2 runs to win off 3 balls as the match went into the Super Over.
Afghanistan then scored 17 runs in the Super Over with all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai hitting a few lusty blows. South Africa then managed to tie the Super Over as well, with Tristan Stubbs hitting a last-ball six to take the game to a second Super Over.
This time around, South Africa batted first and Stubbs hit a six to start off the over. Two sixes from David Miller helped the Proteas finish with 23 runs in the Super Over. Afghanistan needed 24 runs to win.
When all looked lost for the Afghans, three consecutive sixes by Rahmanullah Gurbaz brought the game back to life and gave his side an outside chance. However, the experience from Keshav Maharaj came to the fore with him taking all the pace off his final delivery to get the batter caught inside the circle off the final ball of the over.
It was a story of being so near yet so far for the Afghans as the tournament delivered a classic on a Wednesday afternoon. Despite two consecutive losses, Afghanistan can make it to the Super 8’s of the tournament. In this article, we will discuss how they can still make it to the Super 8 despite losing their first two games.
How can Afghanistan qualify for Super 8s in T20 World Cup 2026? Explained
1) Winning their remaining matches against UAE & Canada
For Afghanistan to finish in the top two, they must win their matches against UAE and Canada by big margins. Victories by big margins will help them improve their net run-rate (NRR), which is currently -0.555.
2) South Africa or New Zealand lose both their remaining matches
Afghanistan will have to hope that one of South Africa or New Zealand lose their remaining matches in Group D. This will leave all two teams on four points each. The Kiwis and the Proteas already have four points as they won their first two games. With one of them losing both their games, and Afghanistan winning their two, this will bring the NRR into the equation. In this scenario Afghanistan can go ahead.
3) Afghanistan’s possibility of getting knocked out
If Afghanistan lose one more game, they will officially be knocked out of the tournament. Even if they win both their games, and match between New Zealand and South Africa in Ahmedabad gets washed out on February 14, the Afghanistan will get knocked out of the tournament. With the two teams on four points each, a washout will mean both teams get a point each going upto five points and qualifying for the Super 8s, with Afghanistan unfortunately, getting knocked out of the tournament.
Who is leading the points table in Group D in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026?
New Zealand and South Africa are on 4 points after two games, but the Kiwis are topping the table courtesy of better NRR.
When is Afghanistan’s next match in the T20 World Cup 2026?
Afghanistan’s next match is against UAE in Delhi on Monday, February 16.
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Anshuman Roy is a senior cricket journalist with nearly a decade of experience covering the game. His love for cricket began in childhood, playing at school and college level before turning that passion into a profession. Over the years, he has written for several reputed media houses and specialises in news, features, previews, reviews, match reports, and opinion pieces.