In an unbelievable flip of occasions on the Narendra Modi Stadium in T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa‘s victory over Afghanistan in a double Tremendous Over thriller on February 11, 2026, was determined by a daring teaching masterstroke. The match reached a fever pitch after each groups completed their 20 overs tied at 187, adopted by a deadlocked first Tremendous Over the place either side scored 17 runs.
Whereas followers anticipated a specialist tempo spearhead like Kagiso Rabada to deal with the ultimate six balls of the second tie-breaker, the ball was unexpectedly handed to a spinner. This high-stakes gamble reworked a tense encounter into one of the vital dramatic finishes in T20 World Cup historical past. The choice finally secured South Africa’s second win of the event, although it got here right down to a heart-stopping ultimate supply.
Not Aiden Markram! Ryan Rickelton clarifies who made the decision for Keshav Maharaj within the Tremendous Over
Following the match, South African batter Ryan Rickelton revealed that the choice to bowl a spinner within the second Tremendous Over didn’t come from captain Aiden Markram, however from head coach Shukri Conrad. Rickelton admitted that the gamers had been initially stunned by the transfer, particularly after Lungi Ngidi had conceded 17 within the first tie-breaker and Rabada had struggled with self-discipline within the ultimate over of regulation.
Rickelton, quoted as saying by iol.co.za acknowledged: “Why Keshav was chosen? I truly was uncertain. I assumed KG or Marco was going to go, nevertheless it got here from Shukri, saying he thinks Kesh ought to go. And yeah, credit score to him the place credit score is due.” The technique relied on using the bottom’s lengthy boundaries and having Maharaj bowl sluggish and extensive to pressure the Afghan batters to hit towards the spin. Regardless of the chance, the coach’s ‘blunt and trustworthy’ strategy to tactical modifications proved to be the difference-maker.
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Maharaj survives Rahmanullah Gurbaz onslaught to seal thrilling T20 World Cup 2026 victory
The execution of Conrad’s plan fell to Maharaj, who was tasked with defending a goal of 23 within the second Tremendous Over. Maharaj began brilliantly with a dot ball and the wicket of Mohammad Nabi, leaving Afghanistan needing 24 runs off the ultimate 4 deliveries. Nonetheless, the sport almost slipped away as Rahmanullah Gurbaz launched a shocking counter-attack, smashing three consecutive sixes to carry the requirement down to simply six runs off the ultimate ball. Maharaj’s nerves had been additional examined when he bowled a large, lowering the equation to 5 runs wanted for an Afghan win.
Rickelton defined the logic behind the ultimate supply: “We tried to vary it up, I feel, balls sluggish and extensive and attempt to get them to hit over additional cowl for six to the massive boundary… fortuitously for the Proteas, Gurbaz held out to David Miller at cowl.” By inducing a determined slice from Gurbaz on the ultimate ball, Maharaj vindicated Conrad’s gamble and ended what many are calling the best T20 World Cup match ever performed.
Additionally READ: Fans go wild as South Africa edge Afghanistan in epic double Super Over thriller at T20 World Cup 2026
