The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 continues with South Africa taking on Afghanistan in Match No. 13 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 11. Afghanistan comes into this clash looking to bounce back from defeat against New Zealand, while South Africa is looking to continue its momentum after defeating Canada in its tournament opener.
There are seemingly no more secrets in international cricket. David Miller and Rashid Khan, who are set to face-off in the South Africa-Afghanistan Group-D encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Wednesday, may very well attest. Miller and Rashid played together for Gujarat Titans for three seasons in the IPL here. Rashid is a regular in the SA20, and he and Miller played each other in the 2023 ODI World Cup at this very ground. Yet, for all the familiarity, cricket retains a glorious uncertainty – the pitch. And this being a day game that starts at 11 a.m., there is great intrigue.
AFG vs SA : Previous Performances
Aiden Markram-led South Africa are coming off a dominant win over Canada by 57 runs. With that win, they will be in high spirits and looking to continue the momentum. Notably, the Proteas are playing the majority of their games in these venues and will be looking to use that to their benefit.
After a resounding 57-run win against Canada, South Africa will head into their next match full of confidence. With their games scheduled in Ahmedabad, they’ll be looking to capitalise on the conditions and carry forward their winning form. Afghanistan put up a fight against New Zealand, but a clinical finish from Tim Seifert handed them a five-wicket defeat. Now, they’ll be eager to recover and make life difficult for South Africa in their next encounter.
In Sunday’s five-wicket defeat to New Zealand, Rashid & Co. couldn’t tie down the Kiwi batters. But against the Proteas, they may be encouraged by how Canada left-arm spinner Ansh Patel kept the South Africans on a leash during Monday’s contest and picked up three wickets (three for 31).
AFG vs SA : Head to Head records in T20Is
In their previous three T20I encounters, South Africa has dominated Afghanistan, winning all three matches. All these meetings took place in the T20 WC, with the most recent being in the 2024 event. This strong track record gives South Africa an edge going into this match. However, Afghanistan will be hoping to turn things around and make a mark in this tournament. They would be disappointed after not being able to defend 182/6 against NZ.
| Matches Played | 03 |
| SA Won | 03 |
| AFG Won | 00 |
| Tied / No Results | 0 |
| First-ever Fixture | May 06, 2010 |
| Last-ever Fixture | June 27, 2024 |
AFG vs SA : Pitch and Weather Report
The pitch is expected to offer an even contest between batters and bowlers. Batters will need to spend some time settling at the crease before accelerating and scoring big runs in the later stages of the innings. The bowling side may find it challenging, as the large ground dimensions make wicket-taking difficult.The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to provide a balanced contest between batters and bowlers, with larger ground dimensions making wicket-taking difficult for the bowling side.
This pitch is set to offer a fair challenge to both batters and bowlers. The early phase will see the batters focusing on building partnerships. As the innings progress, though, they will look to accelerate. The bowling team could find it tough, as the vast outfield could hinder wicket-taking opportunities. The match will be played on a red-soil pitch. In the last five T20Is in Ahmedabad, the average first-innings score has been 217. Even though the pitches in ICC tournaments are not that batting-friendly, expect a high-scoring game nonetheless. The sun will be out, with the temperature hovering around 30°C.
AFG vs SA : Big Picture : Uphill task for Afghanistan
Afghanistan made it till the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, but this time, after just one game, they face an uphill task. Their loss to New Zealand in their opening match has put them, in all likelihood, in a do-or-die situation against South Africa: if they lose, even the wins against Canada and UAE may not be enough to qualify for the Super Eight stage.
It will not be easy for Afghanistan. They have faced South Africa three times in T20Is. On all three occasions, they were on the losing side. Their last defeat – in of the 2024 edition – was particularly chastening: South Africa bowled them out for 56 and then chased down the target with nine wickets to spare.
Apart from all that history, too, South Africa will be well primed after their win against Canada, where they ticked most boxes. Their captain Aiden Markram scored a half-century, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs added 75 in an unbroken stand, and the team posted the highest total of the tournament so far. Lungi Ngidi’s four-for was the icing on the cake. A win against Afghanistan will make their path to the Super Eight stage smooth. It’s a day game, starting at 11am. But as Stubbs said after the Canada match, it may not make much of a difference.
AFG vs SA : In the Spotlight : Rashid Khan and Quinton de Kock
It may feel like Rashid Khan is not the same bowler he once was. But numbers tell a different story. Since the start of 2024, he has taken 52 wickets in 26 T20Is against Full Members. Both his strike rate (11.3) and economy (5.83) in this period are better than his career numbers. If Afghanistan are to qualify for the next round, they will need similar performances from their captain.
Since his return to T20I cricket in October, Quinton de Kock has five single-digit scores in 11 innings. But when he gets going, it’s not easy to stop him. He has scored 355 runs in this period, at an average of 32.27 and a strike rate of 181.12. His overall record in India is also impressive, and he will be keen to put behind his 22-ball 25 in South Africa’s opening match against Canada.
AFG vs SA : Vital Stats that matters
- De Kock is 61 away from becoming the first South Africa batterto reach 3000 T20I runs.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi has an economy rate of 6.42 in the powerplay in T20Is.
- Rashid Khan is three short of 700 T20 wickets
AFG vs SA : Team News for Afghanistan and South Africa
Afghanistan :Â
Expect Noor Ahmad to replace Ziaur Rahman, who conceded 33 from his three wicketless overs against New Zealand.
Afghanistan Probable Playing XI :Â Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan(c), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad
South Africa :Â
South Africa could consider bringing in a second spinner in George Linde for one of the many fast bowlers.
South Africa Probable Playing XI : Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
AFG vs SA : Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Aiden Markram
South Africa’s skipper Aiden Markram could be the best batter in the upcoming game against Afghanistan. In the game against Canada, the right-handed batter gave a roaring start, smashing 59 runs off 32 balls at a strike rate of 184.37, and is currently the highest run-getter of his team in this tournament. If Markram gets going, the opposition bowlers will be in for a very tough time
Probable Best Bowler: Rashid Khan
Afghanistan’s star spinner and captain, Rashid Khan, could be the bowler to watch out for. While he bagged a single wicket in the previous game, Rashid will look to use his experience and trouble the South African batters. Having played immense cricket in Ahmedabad, he is well aware of the conditions ans will look to use in his advantage.
AFG vs SA : Match Prediction for Afghanistan vs South Africa
South Africa are expected to come out on top, but Afghanistan could pose a tough challenge, especially if their spinners can break through rivals’ top order early. While South Africa’s all-round strength in both batting and bowling gives them the upper hand, Afghanistan will be determined to make an impact, aiming to prove themselves and give the Proteas a tough fight.
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