South Africa vs Afghanistan – ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Match Preview

Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 05:30 GMT
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Match: ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 – Match 13
Teams: South Africa vs Afghanistan

Match Preview

South Africa and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in the 13th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match promises to be a high-scoring affair on a batting-friendly pitch, with both teams eager to bounce back from their recent results and secure a crucial win in the tournament.

South Africa started the competition with a commanding 57-run victory over Canada, thanks to a composed half-century from Aiden Markram and a fiery spell from Lungi Ngidi, who claimed four wickets. The Proteas’ balanced squad and explosive batting lineup will be confident of continuing their winning momentum.

On the other hand, Afghanistan suffered a narrow 5-wicket defeat against New Zealand in their opening match. Despite the loss, Gulbadin Naib shone with the bat, scoring a crucial 63 runs, while Mujeeb ur Rahman impressed with his tight bowling and two wickets. Afghanistan will be eager to put in a more complete performance and capitalize on the conditions in Ahmedabad.

Key Match Insights

Team Form

• South Africa: Confident after a strong start to the tournament. Markram and De Kock are in good form, and the spin duo of Maharaj and Jansen provides a reliable option at the death.
• Afghanistan: Despite the loss to New Zealand, Afghanistan's batting depth and experience with the ball can be a big threat. With players like Naib and Mujeeb in form, they have the potential to upset the Proteas.

Weather Conditions

The weather at the Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to be favorable for batting, with humidity at 49%. The fast outfield will assist the batters, and the pitch is likely to remain true throughout the game.

Pitch Report

The Ahmedabad pitch is known for being a batsman’s paradise. The surface allows for quick scoring, and while there might be some assistance for bowlers in the initial overs, the game is expected to be decided by the batting side.

Probable Playing XI

South Africa:

1. Quinton de Kock (wk)
2. Aiden Markram (c)
3. Rassie van der Dussen
4. David Miller
5. Tristan Stubbs
6. Chris Bass-Boek
7. Dwaine Pretorius
8. Keshav Maharaj
9. Anrich Nortje
10. Lungi Ngidi
11. Kagiso Rabada

Substitutes:

• Janneman Malan
• George Linde
• Keshav Maharaj (if used as a bowler)
• Anrich Nortje (if rested)

Afghanistan:

1. Rashid Khan (c & wk)
2. Ibrahim Zadran
3. Mohammad Nabi
4. Gulbadin Naib
5. Afsar Zadran
6. Hazratullah Zazai
7. Mujeeb ur Rahman
8. Farhanullah Farooqi
9. Najibullah Zadran
10. Mohammad Omarzai
11. Zohayb Khan

Substitutes:

• Mohammad Ishaq
• Samiullah Shinwari
• Afsar Zadran (if used as a batter)
• Noor Ahmad

Fantasy Cricket Player Picks

South Africa:

• Quinton de Kock: The opener has been in scintillating form, scoring 331 runs in the last 9 T20 games.
• Aiden Markram: Consistent with the bat, his 59 against Canada showcased his class.

Afghanistan:

• Ibrahim Zadran: The left-handed batter has been in excellent form, scoring 361 runs in the last 9 games.
• Gulbadin Naib: A reliable middle-order option with a recent 63 against New Zealand.
• Mujeeb ur Rahman: The leg-spinner has a fine economy rate and is a key asset with the ball.

Avoid:

• Abdullah Ahmadzai (Afghanistan | All-rounder): Has struggled with the ball and has not contributed significantly with the bat.

Prediction

South Africa are slight favorites going into this match, given their strong start to the tournament and the quality of their squad. However, Afghanistan's resilience and ability to chase under pressure make them a dangerous opponent, especially on a pitch that favors batting. A high-scoring encounter is expected, with the result possibly hinging on the middle overs and death bowling.

Predicted Winner: South Africa
Expected Total Score: 220+
Key Matchup to Watch: Quinton de Kock vs Mujeeb ur Rahman

Last Updated: February 10, 2026
“`