Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar shared high praise for Afghanistan following their heart-stopping double Super Over loss to South Africa in a dramatic group stage clash in Ahmedabad. The match turned into an instant classic as both teams remained inseparable even after regulation play and the first Super Over, before South Africa finally edged ahead in a nerve-shredding finish.
South Africa posted 187 for six in their allotted overs, a target Afghanistan matched almost ball for ball before being dismissed for 187 in 19.4 overs. What followed was pure theatre. Both sides scored 17 runs each in the first Super Over, pushing the contest into a rare second Super Over where the Proteas held their composure to clinch victory on the final delivery.
Reacting to the spectacle, Tendulkar applauded the intensity and character shown by both teams. While congratulating South Africa for handling pressure in a high-stakes moment, he underlined Afghanistan’s rapid growth in international cricket. According to the batting great, the Afghan side has the ability and mindset to trouble even the strongest opponents in the future.
Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa echoed similar sentiments, calling it one of the most thrilling T20 World Cup matches he had ever witnessed. He highlighted Afghanistan’s fearless approach and praised South Africa’s calm execution under extreme pressure.
South Africa captain Aiden Markram later admitted the emotional toll of the encounter, describing it as difficult to summarise. He acknowledged areas for improvement while crediting the competitive nature of the tournament for pushing teams to their limits.
The match may have ended in disappointment for Afghanistan, but performances like these continue to strengthen their reputation as one of world cricket’s most exciting and dangerous emerging teams.
