Afghanistan’s dramatic double super over defeat to South Africa in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday has sparked intense debate over captain Rashid Khan’s leadership and on-field decisions.
In a high-stakes Group D encounter, Rashid won the toss and elected to field first. South Africa responded with a competitive total of 187 runs. Afghanistan matched the score in a thrilling chase, pushing the contest into a super over.
Batting first in the initial super over, Afghanistan posted 17 runs. South Africa equalled the total, forcing the match into a second super over. The Proteas ultimately emerged victorious, leaving Afghanistan with a heartbreaking defeat.
Following the loss, criticism quickly mounted on social media and among cricket analysts. Several observers questioned Rashid Khan’s tactical choices during the decisive moments of the match.
An Indian cricket commentator wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Many questions arise after today’s defeat. Shouldn’t Rashid Khan have bowled the second super over? Shouldn’t Gurbaz have come out to bat immediately?
Some fans were more direct in their criticism. One user claimed that Rashid “could not dare to bowl in super overs himself on a ground where he has been bowling for years.” Another user suggested that the captain “saved his reputation by not bowling in super overs.”
Others pointed to specific match situations, including a risky attempt at a second run when Afghanistan needed just two runs off three balls in the final stages of the game. Critics also questioned the decision to send Mohammad Nabi ahead of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the second super over.
Despite the setback, Afghanistan’s hopes of advancing to the next stage of the tournament remain alive. However, with two losses in the group stage, their path forward has become significantly more challenging. The team will now need strong performances in their remaining fixtures to keep their World Cup campaign alive.
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