What would have happened if SA vs AFG double super over in T20 World Cup 2026 was tied?
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
South Africa edged past Afghanistan in a thrilling double super over contest.
The thrilling T20 World Cup 2026 Group D clash between South Africa and Afghanistan at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad turned out to be one of the most dramatic encounters in T20I cricket history. The match ended in a tie after 40 overs, with both teams scoring exactly 187 runs.
South Africa were led by half-centuries from Quinton de Kock (59) and Ryan Rickelton (61), while Afghanistan’s chase was headlined by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive 84 off 42 balls.
Tension peaked in the final over as Kagiso Rabada conceded no-balls, but a run-out tied the scores, forcing the first Super Over of the tournament. In the first Super Over, Afghanistan batted first (as chasers in the main match) and posted 17, thanks to Azmatullah Omarzai smashing boundaries.
South Africa matched it exactly, with Tristan Stubbs scoring a clutch six off the final ball from Fazalhaq Farooqi, pushing the game into uncharted territory: a double Super Over, the first in T20 World Cup history.
In the second Super Over, South Africa batted first and hammered 23/0, led by David Miller (16*) and Stubbs (7*). Afghanistan, needing 24 to win, lost Mohammad Nabi early and were 0 off 2 balls. Gurbaz, the new batter, unleashed mayhem with three consecutive sixes off Keshav Maharaj.
A wide made it even more intense, and just when Afghanistan seemed to pull off a miracle, Gurbaz was caught at point on the last ball attempting another big hit, ending their innings at 19/2. South Africa won by 4 runs in a heart-stopping finish.
What would happen if South Africa and Afghanistan ended in a tie?
If the double Super Over had also ended in a tie, a third Super Over would have been played. According to the ICC playing rules for the T20 World Cup 2026, the Super Over will be repeated, with a 5-minute gap. Batting orders will be changed, no bowler will repeat the previous Super Over, and dismissed batsmen will not be able to return until a winner is decided.
This could have happened here, as Gurbaz needed just 5 runs off the last ball, and a boundary would have tied it after his three sixes and the wide, potentially forcing yet another dramatic tie-breaker.
Why did the match go into a double Super Over?
Both teams finished tied after 40 overs and again scored the same runs in the first Super Over, forcing a second tie-breaker.
What would have happened if the second Super Over was also tied?
According to ICC rules, Super Overs would continue until a winner was decided, with no repeat bowlers or returning dismissed batters.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.