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SA vs AFG: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Match Prediction, Squads, Live Score & Stats
Match Overview
- Fixture: South Africa vs Afghanistan
- Tournament: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Group D
- Match: 13th Match, Group D
- Date & Time: 11 February 2026, 11:00 AM IST
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India
Match Preview
South Africa and Afghanistan will clash in a crucial Group D match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad. For South Africa, this match is based on a strong start to the tournament after a brilliant win over Canada. Aiden Markram scored a half-century and disciplined bowling limited the opposition. They have pace. They have confidence.
Afghanistan will be eager to win here after their previous defeat to New Zealand in Group D. They made a competitive total but could not defend it against the Kiwis. Their bowling let them down. They need to improve that quickly or their tournament will end early.
This match is crucial in the race for Super 8 qualification. Only two teams from the group advance to the next round. South Africa arrive with pace and strong depth in all departments. Afghanistan must win to keep their campaign alive at this stage of the competition. They have no room for error now.
Recent Form & Head to Head (T20Is)
| Format | Matches | SA Won | AFG Won | Tied | NR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is (historical) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(South Africa have historically beaten Afghanistan in all recorded T20Is, though Afghanistan have registered wins in other formats and contexts.)
SA vs AFG – Squad List
| No. | Afghanistan | Role | South Africa | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rashid Khan (c) | Bowling allrounder | Aiden Markram (c) | Middle-order batter |
| 2 | Ibrahim Zadran (vc) | Opening batter | Corbin Bosch | Allrounder |
| 3 | Abdollah Ahmadzai | Bowler | Dewald Brevis | Middle-order batter |
| 4 | Azmatullah Omarzai | Allrounder | Quinton de Kock † | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 5 | Darwish Rasooli | Top-order batter | Marco Jansen | Bowling allrounder |
| 6 | Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler | George Linde | Allrounder |
| 7 | Gulbadin Naib | Batting allrounder | Keshav Maharaj | Bowler |
| 8 | Mohammad Ishaq † | Wicketkeeper batter | Kwena Maphaka | Bowler |
| 9 | Mohammad Nabi | Allrounder | David Miller | Middle-order batter |
| 10 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman | Bowler | Lungi Ngidi | Bowler |
| 11 | Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Anrich Nortje | Bowler |
| 12 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz † | Wicketkeeper batter | Kagiso Rabada | Bowler |
| 13 | Sediqullah Atal | Opening batter | Ryan Rickelton † | Wicketkeeper batter |
| 14 | Shahidullah | Batting allrounder | Jason Smith | Top-order batter |
| 15 | Ziaur Rahman | Bowler | Tristan Stubbs | Batter |
Pitch Report – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Pitch Nature | Generally batting-friendly, quick outfield |
| Batting Support | Big totals possible with strong hitting lineups |
| New Ball Behaviour | Pacers can get early movement |
| Spin Factor | Spinners helpful in middle overs |
| Match Pattern | Teams often post 170+ totals |
| Avg. T20 Score Range | ~170–200+ |
| Toss Strategy | Bowling first can be useful with dew later |
| Pitch Nature | Generally batting-friendly, quick outfield |
Team Analysis
South Africa
South Africa have a strong batting depth that includes big hitters and experienced players who know how to build an innings. Their pace attack is led by strike bowlers who are capable in the powerplay who take wickets early. They have a comfortable fielding unit and experience from previous World Cups which is important in pressure situations.
Their concern is that the middle over spinners must maintain control against the aggressive batsmen. Afghanistan have aggressive batsmen who attack spin. South Africa must avoid a batting collapse against quality spin which Afghanistan has in abundance.
Key players to watch are Aiden Markram who is batting in form and leading the top order. Ryan Rickelton is an in-form batsman who is capable of making big contributions that can change games. Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada are new ball strike threats who swing the ball and take wickets early.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan have a spin attack led by world-class bowlers like Rashid Khan. They have batting talent in the top order who have an aggressive approach with an aggressive approach that puts pressure on the bowling attack early on. When they bat well, they post big scores that are difficult to chase down.
Their concern is that the recent totals they have seen against New Zealand have been poor in defending. They will have to execute their plans better against the pace and bounce that the South African bowlers will bring. Their fielding must improve or they will lose close matches.
Key players will include Rashid Khan who is a game-changing bowler and a lower-order hitter. Both of them can win matches with their skills. Gulbadin Naib can anchor and rotate the strike when needed. Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmed are important all-round options who contribute with bat and ball.
Toss Prediction
Given the morning conditions and dew potential in Ahmedabad later in the day captains might prefer bowling first. This allows them to exploit early seam movement and chase with clearer vision of the target. Dew makes bowling difficult in the second innings. Chasing becomes easier. The toss matters here.
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Cricbites Match Prediction (Table)
| Team | Winning Chance (%) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 70% | Strong batting depth, pace attack and recent form. |
| Afghanistan | 30% | Dangerous spin attack but needs consistent execution. |
Final Thoughts
This Group D clash is crucial for both teams’ Super 8 ambitions and tournament survival. South Africa have pace and experience in big moments that give them an advantage. Afghanistan will look to use their spin strength and counter-attack with aggressive batting. If the batsmen dominate, expect big scores. Expect tactical bowling changes as the captains respond to match situations. Expect major battles between South Africa’s pace and Afghan spin.
South Africa are favourites but Afghanistan are dangerous when their spinners bowl well. Rashid Khan can win the match on his own. If he bowls well, Afghanistan can restrict South Africa. If Afghanistan’s batsmen give their bowlers a total to defend, they have a chance. South Africa knows this. They will not take Afghanistan lightly. The match will decide who controls their Super 8 fate.
Disclaimer
This preview is based on a verified match schedule and past performances and venue conditions and current tournament form. Cricket results can vary due to toss and weather, player fitness and on-field execution. Afghanistan desperately need this win. South Africa will want to keep the momentum going. Both teams will fight hard. The match will be competitive.
