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Table of Contents
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team Vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard tells the story of a rivalry that has grown rapidly in international cricket. Although South Africa entered this contest with decades of experience and a rich cricketing history, Afghanistan has emerged as a fearless competitor capable of defeating the world’s strongest teams. Every meeting has featured high quality cricket, memorable individual performances, tactical battles, and dramatic turning points. From World Cup clashes to bilateral encounters, these matches have showcased outstanding batting, disciplined bowling, and remarkable fielding. This article explores every major contest, complete scorecards, standout player statistics, key records, and the defining moments that have shaped this exciting rivalry.
Match Summary
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Player of the Match: Lungi Ngidi (3/26)
Toss: Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl first
Result: Match Tied (South Africa won the Double Super Over)
Scorecard Overview
| Team | Regulation (20.0 ov) | Super Over 1 | Super Over 2 |
| South Africa 🇿🇦 | 187/6 | 17/1 | 23/0 |
| Afghanistan 🇦🇫 | 187/10 (19.4 ov) | 17/0 | 19/2 |
South Africa(187/6 in 20.0 ov)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Aiden Markram (c) | c Nabi b Fazalhaq | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Quinton de Kock (wk) | c Ibrahim b Rashid | 59 | 41 | 5 | 3 | 143.90 |
| Ryan Rickelton | lbw b Rashid | 61 | 28 | 5 | 4 | 217.86 |
| Dewald Brevis | c Nabi b Azmatullah | 23 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 121.05 |
| David Miller | not out | 20 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 133.33 |
| Tristan Stubbs | c Mujeeb b Azmatullah | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Marco Jansen | c Sediq b Azmatullah | 16 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 228.57 |
Afghanistan(187/10 in 19.4 ov)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) | c Linde b Maharaj | 84 | 42 | 4 | 7 | 200.00 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | b Ngidi | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 120.00 |
| Gulbadin Naib | c & b Ngidi | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Sediqullah Atal | c Jansen b Rabada | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Darwish Rasooli | run out (de Kock) | 15 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | c Stubbs b Ngidi | 22 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 129.41 |
| Mohammad Nabi | c Markram b Linde | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Rashid Khan (c) | c Miller b Jansen | 20 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 166.67 |
Afghanistan Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | 4.0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 8.00 |
| Mujeeb Ur Rahman | 3.0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 4.0 | 0 | 41 | 3 | 10.25 |
| Mohammad Nabi | 2.0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Rashid Khan | 4.0 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 |
| Noor Ahmad | 3.0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 11.66 |
South Africa Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
| Lungi Ngidi | 4.0 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 6.50 |
| Marco Jansen | 4.0 | 0 | 42 | 1 | 10.50 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 3.4 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 10.36 |
| George Linde | 3.0 | 0 | 39 | 1 | 13.00 |
| Keshav Maharaj | 4.0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 6.75 |
| Aiden Markram | 1.0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14.00 |
Fall of Wickets
- South Africa: 12-1 (Aiden Markram, 2.3 ov), 126-2 (Quinton de Kock, 12.4 ov), 127-3 (Ryan Rickelton, 12.6 ov), 155-4 (Dewald Brevis, 17.2 ov), 159-5 (Tristan Stubbs, 17.6 ov), 187-6 (Marco Jansen, 19.6 ov)
- Afghanistan: 121-5 (Darwish Rasooli, 12.5 ov), 139-6 (Mohammad Nabi, 15.1 ov), 164-7 (Azmatullah Omarzai, 17.5 ov), 169-8 (Rashid Khan, 18.3 ov)
Super Over Breakdown
- Super Over 1:
- AFG: 17/0 (Azmatullah 16*, Gurbaz 1*)
- SA: 17/1 (Stubbs 10*, Brevis 6)
- Super Over 2:
- SA: 23/0 (Miller 16*, Stubbs 7*)
- AFG: 19/2 (Gurbaz 18, Maharaj 2/19)
Chronological Timeline of the Rivalry
- May 2010 (The Beginning): The teams faced off for the first time at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. South Africa won the match by 59 runs after bowling Afghanistan out for 80.
- March 2016 (T20 World Cup): Met at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where South Africa won by 37 runs despite a spirited chase from Afghanistan.
- June 2019 (First ODI Encounter): Played their first-ever 50-over match during the ICC Cricket World Cup at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, resulting in a 9-wicket victory for South Africa.
- November 2023 (ODI World Cup): Faced off at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where South Africa narrowly won by 5 wickets.
- June 2024 (T20 World Cup Semi-Final): South Africa convincingly defeated Afghanistan by 9 wickets at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad to reach the final.
- September 2024 (The Afghan Breakthrough): Afghanistan hosted South Africa for their first-ever bilateral ODI series at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Afghanistan script history by winning their first-ever match against the Proteas and securing an unassailable 2-1 series victory.
- February 2026 (The Ultimate Thriller): Their latest chapter at the Narendra Modi Stadium culminated in a historic, nerve-wracking double Super Over finish during the T20 World Cup group stage, where South Africa narrowly escaped with a win.
Complete Head to Head Record Across All Formats
The complete head-to-head cricket record between Afghanistan and South Africa across all senior international formats shows 10 total matches played, with South Africa winning 7, Afghanistan winning 2, and 1 match ending in a tie.
The two nations have never faced each other in Test cricket.
Head-to-Head Record Breakdown
| Format | Total Matches | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins | Ties / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI (One Day Internationals) | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| T20I (Twenty20 Internationals) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 (SA won Super Over) |
| Total Overall Record | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
Format-Wise Match History
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Matches Played: 6
- South Africa Wins: 4
- Afghanistan Wins: 2
- Key Encounters: South Africa won the first two World Cup meetings in 2019 and 2023. However, Afghanistan broke the streak in September 2024 by crushing South Africa in back-to-back matches in Sharjah to claim a historic 2-1 bilateral series win. South Africa won their latest ODI meeting by 107 runs during the ICC Champions Trophy in Karachi.
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
- Matches Played: 4
- South Africa Wins: 3
- Afghanistan Wins: 0
- Ties: 1
- Key Encounters: South Africa won comfortable World Cup fixtures in 2010, 2016, and the 2024 semi-final. Their most competitive clash took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the T20 World Cup, where the match ended in a thrilling tie before South Africa claimed victory via a dramatic double Super Over.
Best Batting Performances in Afghanistan vs South Africa Matches
The standout batting displays in these matches feature surgical precision in ODIs and explosive, edge-of-the-seat power-hitting in T20 Internationals:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) — 105 off 110 balls (2nd ODI, Sharjah 2024): Gurbaz played an anchoring yet aggressive knock, smashing 7 fours and 3 sixes. He anchored Afghanistan’s massive 311/4, wearing down the South African attack to secure a historic 177-run victory.
- Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) — 97 not out off 107 balls (ODI World Cup, Ahmedabad 2023): Walking in at a precarious 45/3, Omarzai single-handedly dragged Afghanistan to a respectable 244. He counter-attacked fearlessly, finishing just three runs short of a century.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) — 84 off 42 balls (T20 World Cup, Ahmedabad 2026): In an absolute thriller, Gurbaz launched an incredible assault, smashing 7 massive sixes at a strike rate of 200. He spearheaded a furious chase to tie the match, triggering the first-ever double Super Over in tournament history.
- Ryan Rickelton (SA) — 61 off 28 balls (T20 World Cup, Ahmedabad 2026): Rickelton gave the Proteas a blistering start at the top order, clear-cutting boundaries with 4 sixes and 5 fours to set up a massive total of 187.
- Rassie van der Dussen (SA) — 76 not out off 95 balls (ODI World Cup, Ahmedabad 2023): Chasing a tricky 245 on a turning pitch, van der Dussen played a masterfully calculated, calming innings to steer South Africa out of trouble and secure a 5-wicket win.
Greatest Bowling Spells That Changed the Game
The defining bowling spells in this rivalry have completely flipped match scripts, featuring lethal new-ball swing and unplayable wrist-spin:
- Rashid Khan (AFG) — 5 for 19 (2nd ODI, Sharjah 2024): On his birthday, Rashid produced his absolute finest, spinning a web around the Proteas’ middle order. His 5-wicket haul skittled South Africa for just 134, sealing Afghanistan’s historic series win.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG) — 4 for 35 (1st ODI, Sharjah 2024): Farooqi produced a lethal display of new-ball swing bowling. He tore through the top order, dismissing Reeza Hendricks, Tony de Zorzi, and Aiden Markram to collapse South Africa to 36/7, orchestrating Afghanistan’s first-ever win against them.
- Marco Jansen (SA) — 3 for 16 (T20 World Cup Semi-Final, Trinidad 2024): Standing in a high-stakes World Cup semi-final, Jansen extracted immense seam movement and bounce. His opening burst eliminated Afghanistan’s dangerous top order, bowling them out for their lowest-ever T20I score of 56.
- Imran Tahir (SA) — 4 for 29 (ODI World Cup, Cardiff 2019): With Afghanistan starting strongly, Tahir completely changed the momentum with his variations. He took two wickets in his very first over, breaking the opening partnership and causing a batting collapse.
- Lungi Ngidi (SA) — 3 for 26 (T20 World Cup, Ahmedabad 2026): In a high-scoring game where other bowlers went the distance, Ngidi delivered a masterclass in change-of-pace and death bowling. He checked a rampaging Afghan chase by snatching critical wickets to secure Player of the Match honors.
Highest Team Totals and Lowest Team Scores
The highest team total in this international fixture is South Africa’s commanding 315 for 6 in February 2025, while Afghanistan holds the record for the lowest team score, having been bundled out for a shocking 56 all out during the June 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final.
Individual milestones and massive partnership stands continue to define this rapidly growing cross-continental cricket rivalry.
Highest Team Totals
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- 315 for 6 (South Africa): Scored at Karachi in February 2025. Ryan Rickelton led the charge with a spectacular century (103 runs) to secure a 107-run victory.
- 311 for 4 (Afghanistan): Registered at Sharjah in September 2024. Backed by a brilliant hundred from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, this massive score powered Afghanistan to a historic 177-run win.
- 247 for 5 (South Africa): Achieved at Ahmedabad during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup group stage to successfully chase down Afghanistan’s target.
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
- 209 for 5 (South Africa): Smashed at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during the 2016 T20 World Cup.
- 187 for 6 / 187 all out (Tie): Both teams scored exactly 187 runs in an absolute blockbuster group-stage clash at Ahmedabad during the February 2026 T20 World Cup, resulting in a dramatic double Super Over.
Lowest Team Scores
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- 106 all out (South Africa): Collapsed at Sharjah in September 2024. Fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi wrecked the top order, bowling out a full-strength Proteas lineup in just 33.3 overs.
- 125 all out (Afghanistan): Rolled over at Cardiff during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir caused the damage, wrapping up the innings quickly.
- 134 all out (South Africa): Dismantled again at Sharjah in September 2024. Rashid Khan celebrated his birthday by snapping up 5 wickets to bowl out the Proteas cheaply.
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
- 56 all out (Afghanistan): Crushed in the 2024 T20 World Cup Semi-Final at Trinidad. Marco Jansen and the South African pace unit used extreme bounce to dismiss Afghanistan for their lowest T20I total in history.
- 80 all out (Afghanistan): Suffered during their very first meeting at Barbados in the 2010 T20 World Cup.
Record-Breaking Partnerships and Major Individual Milestones
Record-Breaking Partnerships
- 129 Runs (2nd Wicket) — Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma (SA): Set in Karachi in February 2025. This stand laid the foundation for South Africa’s highest ODI team total against Afghanistan.
- 114 Runs (2nd Wicket) — Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock (SA): Smashed during the high-octane 2026 T20 World Cup tie in Ahmedabad, setting up a fierce powerplay platform.
- 104 Runs (1st Wicket) — Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla (SA): Put together during the 2019 World Cup in Cardiff, breaking the back of a small 126-run chase.
- 101 Runs (2nd Wicket) — Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah (AFG): Built during the historic September 2024 Sharjah series, putting Afghanistan in complete control of the match.
Major Individual Milestones
- First ODI Century: Rahmanullah Gurbaz became the first Afghan batsman to score an ODI century against South Africa, hitting 105 off 110 balls at Sharjah in 2024.
- First South African ODI Century: Ryan Rickelton matched the feat for his country, smashing 103 runs in Karachi in February 2025.
- Most Sixes in an Innings: Rahmanullah Gurbaz cleared the boundary rope 7 times during his fierce 84 off 42 balls in the 2026 T20 World Cup clash.
- First 5-Wicket Haul: Rashid Khan became the first bowler from either side to claim a five-wicket haul in this fixture, returning figures of 5 for 19 in September 2024.
Final Thoughts
The rivalry between Afghanistan and South Africa proves that international cricket is constantly evolving. South Africa has often relied on its experience, depth, and consistency, while Afghanistan has challenged expectations with fearless cricket and world class spin bowling. Every encounter has added another chapter to their growing competitive history, giving fans unforgettable performances and thrilling finishes. As Afghanistan continues to develop and South Africa remains among the world’s strongest teams, future contests promise even greater excitement. Their battles are no longer viewed as predictable contests but as highly competitive matches that cricket fans eagerly anticipate across every major tournament and bilateral series.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who has won more matches between Afghanistan and South Africa?
South Africa has won the majority of official international matches against Afghanistan, although Afghanistan has earned memorable victories in recent years, making the rivalry increasingly competitive.
2. Which tournament featured the most famous Afghanistan vs South Africa match?
One of the most memorable meetings came during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, while their ODI World Cup encounters have also produced exciting and closely followed contests.
3. Who are the standout players in this rivalry?
For Afghanistan, players such as Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Mohammad Nabi have delivered key performances. For South Africa, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Marco Jansen have often played decisive roles.
4. What makes this rivalry interesting?
The contest combines Afghanistan’s aggressive spin attack and fearless batting with South Africa’s pace bowling strength, athletic fielding, and experienced batting lineup, creating exciting tactical battles.
5. Where can fans find the latest Afghanistan vs South Africa match scorecard?
Fans can find official match scorecards, player statistics, and ball by ball updates on the ICC website and major cricket platforms such as ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz.
