Sachin Tendulkar hailed the Afghanistan cricket team for their undeniable efforts against a strong South Africa cricket team. On February 11, Afghanistan squared off with South Africa under the broad daylight at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Throughout the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, this match will remain as one of the most entertaining, thrilling encounters, as it needed two Super Overs to finally find out the winner, which was South Africa. Afghanistan might have lost the match, but Tendulkar believes that this Afghan team can grow more dangerous.
Summary of the match
Talking about the match, South Africa went to bat first and registered 187 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. In the second innings, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 84-run knock, the Afghans went very close to overcoming the hurdle. But they lost their final batter when the team was on 187. Match tie.
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To break the deadlock, according to the rules, Super Over came into the equation. From there, situation went more intense and interesting. Both of the teams got 17 runs each in the first Super Over, and again tie, no result.
Finally, the second Super Over able to separate these two teams. The combination of Tristan Stubbs and David Miller secured 23 runs. In reply, the Afghans got 19. South Africa won the match in the very last ball of the second Super Over. It was again Rahmanullah Gurbaz who took the team close to the opponent’s total.
Sachin Tendulkar’s verdict on Afghanistan
Former India cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar and Robin Uthappa praised both of the teams for displaying such high-class cricket. Tendulkar said that Afghanistan can become more dangerous after the match.
“Two super overs a day keep the boredom away! A game that went right down to the wire. Congratulations to the South African team on the win. It takes composure to see the game through. This Afghanistan team has the potential to be really dangerous,” the legend wrote on his ‘X’ post.
Two super overs a day keep the boredom away! A game that went right down to the wire.
Congratulations to the South African team on the win. It takes composure to see the game through.
This Afghanistan team has the potential to be really dangerous.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 11, 2026
Robin Uthappa also issued a statement
Uthappa expressed that it was among the most crazy game he ever saw in a T20 World Cup. He paid support to Gurbaz who played outstandingly well against South Africa.
“Has to be one of the craziest games I ever watched in a T20 World Cup. Feel for Gurbaz who stood tall for Afghanistan!! SA hold their nerves under pressure which was great to watch!! BLOODY BRILLIANT FOR CRICKET!!” Uthappa said.
Has to be one of the craziest games I ever watched in a t20 World Cup. Feel for Gurbaz who stood tall for Afghanistan!! SA hold their nerves under pressure which was great to watch!! BLOODY BRILLIANT FOR CRICKET!! 💪🏾
— Robbie Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) February 11, 2026
Read More: How Can Afghanistan Still Qualify for Super 8 After Back-to-Back Defeats in T20 World Cup 2026?
