Video of the Day: T20 World Cup 2026 – South Africa openers take Afghan bowlers to cleaners (Photo by Surjeet Yadav-ICC/ICC via Getty Images/ (Photo by Surjeet Yadav-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Afghanistan’s must-win clash against South Africa in Match 13 at Ahmedabad hinged on a single momentum-shifting phase that slipped rapidly out of their control. After winning the toss, Afghanistan opted to field, hoping early pressure would keep them alive in the Super Eight race. South Africa, however, began with caution, absorbing the new-ball challenge before steadily building through a composed left-handed partnership between Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton.
The shackles finally came off in the tenth over, when Noor Ahmad, returning to the XI after missing the Chennai game, was introduced into the attack. By then, both batters were well set, and they pounced. De Kock set the tone by smashing Noor’s very first delivery for six before handing over the strike. Rickelton then took complete control, launching the spinner for a six and following it up with two authoritative boundaries.
The over went for 23 runs, completely breaking the contest open. Momentum swung decisively South Africa’s way, leaving Afghanistan scrambling in a game they could not afford to lose. Noor Ahmad’s 23-run over against South Africa now ranks as the fourth-most expensive over by an Afghanistan spinner in T20 World Cup history. The list is led by Rashid Khan’s 29-run over against South Africa in 2016, followed by 24-run overs by Amir Hamza against England (2016) and Rashid Khan against the West Indies (2024).
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