Table of Contents
In an incredible turn of events at the Narendra Modi Stadium in T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa‘s victory over Afghanistan in a double Super Over thriller on February 11, 2026, was decided by a bold coaching masterstroke. The match reached a fever pitch after both teams finished their 20 overs tied at 187, followed by a deadlocked first Super Over where both sides scored 17 runs.
While fans expected a specialist pace spearhead like Kagiso Rabada to handle the final six balls of the second tie-breaker, the ball was unexpectedly handed to a spinner. This high-stakes gamble transformed a tense encounter into one of the most dramatic finishes in T20 World Cup history. The decision ultimately secured South Africa’s second win of the tournament, though it came down to a heart-stopping final delivery.
Not Aiden Markram! Ryan Rickelton clarifies who made the call for Keshav Maharaj in the Super Over
Following the match, South African batter Ryan Rickelton revealed that the decision to bowl a spinner in the second Super Over did not come from captain Aiden Markram, but from head coach Shukri Conrad. Rickelton admitted that the players were initially surprised by the move, especially after Lungi Ngidi had conceded 17 in the first tie-breaker and Rabada had struggled with discipline in the final over of regulation.
Rickelton, quoted as saying by iol.co.za stated: “Why Keshav was selected? I actually was unsure. I thought KG or Marco was going to go, but it came from Shukri, saying he thinks Kesh should go. And yeah, credit to him where credit is due.” The strategy relied on utilizing the ground’s long boundaries and having Maharaj bowl slow and wide to force the Afghan batters to hit against the spin. Despite the risk, the coach’s ‘blunt and honest’ approach to tactical changes proved to be the difference-maker.
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 target of 23 in the second Super Over. Maharaj started brilliantly with a dot ball and the wicket of Mohammad Nabi, leaving Afghanistan needing 24 runs off the final four deliveries. However, the game nearly slipped away as Rahmanullah Gurbaz launched a stunning counter-attack, smashing three consecutive sixes to bring the requirement down to just six runs off the final ball. Maharaj’s nerves were further tested when he bowled a wide, reducing the equation to five runs needed for an Afghan win.
Rickelton explained the logic behind the final delivery: “We tried to change it up, I think, balls slow and wide and try to get them to hit over extra cover for six to the big boundary… fortunately for the Proteas, Gurbaz held out to David Miller at cover.” By inducing a desperate slice from Gurbaz on the final ball, Maharaj vindicated Conrad’s gamble and ended what many are calling the greatest T20 World Cup match ever played.
