Afghanistan came close to a remarkable win but fell short in the second Super Over against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad. This loss nearly ends their chances of moving to the Super Eight stage. South Africa scored 187 runs in their 20 overs, and Afghanistan matched that effort, forcing a Super Over.
This match turned out to be one of the most exciting in T20 history. Rashid Khan advised his team to focus on their achievements rather than their mistakes, stating that everyone played their best. He acknowledged that no single player should be blamed for the defeat.
“We were in Ahmedabad and asked the manager to order food. Peshawari dishes like dal bukhara and dal makhani, along with tandoori chicken to help us vent,” Rashid said as reported by ESPNcricinfo. “No one should point fingers; it creates negativity. We all contributed, and I don’t want to hear blame. It’s more upsetting than the loss itself,” he added.
Rashid also revealed that he is still struggling to get over the loss and compared it to Afghanistan’s defeat to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup in Mumbai. During that match, Afghanistan had a strong position at 291/5 and had reduced Australia to 91/7, but Glenn Maxwell’s double-century shifted the game in Australia’s favor.
“Honestly, it’s tough. Losing a match you had control over is disheartening. It lingers in your mind, just like the game against Australia. We gathered that night for dinner to focus on positivity and support one another,” Rashid stated. “The key message to the players was to stick together and stay positive. We need to maintain our morale to achieve bigger goals,” he continued.
Now, Afghanistan faces the likelihood of exiting the group stage. With losses to New Zealand and South Africa already, their path to qualification is tough. They must win their remaining matches against the UAE and Canada. Additionally, they hope the UAE defeats South Africa, and Canada beats New Zealand. Their chances will depend on net run rate if these results occur.
Rashid expressed his frustration, noting that this setback undermines the team’s hard work to establish themselves as a strong competitor in International tournaments.
“In the past year, we’ve put in a lot of hard work for this outcome. Sometimes, the results are not favorable. It’s challenging when people focus on failures rather than successes. It’s crucial to maintain high standards, which requires consistent effort and skill development. While it can be stressful, there’s also enjoyment in the process,” Rashid explained.
