The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 rolls on with a gripping Group D encounter as Afghanistan takes on South Africa in Match 13 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
Both sides have already begun their World Cup journeys with contrasting results. Afghanistan, led by Rashid Khan, posted a fighting total against New Zealand but fell short by 5 wickets, leaving them eager to open their account. South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, made a dominant start, brushing aside Canada by 57 runs with an all-round display of batting and bowling excellence.
A clash between Afghanistan’s desperation for a win and South Africa’s surging confidence promises an exciting contest under the Ahmedabad lights.
Match Details
The world’s largest cricket stadium hosts this crucial Group D battle between two competitive teams.
The Narendra Modi Stadium stands as cricket’s biggest venue with a massive 132,000 capacity.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match Number | 13th Match, Group D |
| Date | Wed, Feb 11 |
| Time (Local) | 11:00 AM |
| Time (GMT) | 5:30 AM |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
The boundaries stretch between the Adani Pavilion End and the GMDC End. This morning’s fixture will test both teams under bright Ahmedabad sunshine.
Weather Report
Ahmedabad offers perfect conditions for this Group D contest with clear skies and comfortable temperatures expected.
| Parameter | Forecast Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 22-26°C (Pleasant morning conditions) |
| Humidity | 40-50% |
| Rain Chance | 5% (Clear weather expected) |
| Wind Speed | 10-15 km/h |
| Cloud Cover | Mostly clear |
The pleasant morning temperature creates ideal playing conditions for both teams. Low humidity levels will help bowlers maintain their grip throughout the match. With almost no rain threat, fans can expect a complete 40-over contest without interruptions.
Pitch Report
The Narendra Modi Stadium surface typically produces high-scoring matches with batters enjoying the flat conditions.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature | The pitch is flat and offers great value for stroke play. Batters enjoy playing here, but bowlers need to be smart with their variations. |
| Batting Assistance | The surface remains good for batting throughout the match. Batters can play their shots freely, especially in the powerplay and death overs. |
| Bowling Assistance | Pace bowlers get little help from the pitch. Spinners might find some turn in the middle overs if they bowl in the right areas. |
| Boundary Size | Square boundaries are around 65-70 meters. Straight boundaries measure approximately 80-85 meters. |
| Ideal First Innings Score | Teams batting first usually aim for 180-200. Scores above 190 are considered very competitive on this ground. |
| Toss Impact | Winning the toss gives teams the option to bat first and put pressure on the opposition with a big total. |
Both captains will want to bat first on this surface. The flat pitch favors aggressive stroke play and big totals.
Spinners from both sides might play crucial roles in controlling the middle overs when batters look to accelerate.
Squads
Both teams have selected strong 15-member squads featuring match-winners across all departments.
1. South Africa Squad
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton (wk), Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka
2. Afghanistan Squad
Rashid Khan (c), Ibrahim Zadran (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Shahidullah, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman, Abdollah Ahmadzai
South Africa brings experienced campaigners alongside exciting young talent. Afghanistan counters with their world-class spin attack and improving batting depth that has surprised many top teams recently.
Head-to-Head Record
South Africa and Afghanistan have faced each other three times in T20 International cricket, with the Proteas dominating the rivalry.
| Total Matches Played | 03 |
| South Africa Won | 03 |
| Afghanistan Won | 00 |
South Africa holds a perfect 3-0 record against Afghanistan in T20I matches. The Proteas have won all three encounters convincingly, showcasing their superior experience and quality.
However, Afghanistan has grown significantly as a cricket nation since those meetings. Their recent performances against top teams show they can compete with anyone on their day.
This match offers Afghanistan a chance to break their losing streak and prove they belong among cricket’s elite.
Key Players to Watch
Key Batters
| Player | Team | T20I Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 2,914 runs in 102 matches at an average of 31.67 and a strike rate of 142.70 |
| Aiden Markram | South Africa | 1,680 runs in 69 matches at an average of 30.00 and a strike rate of 144.95 |
| David Miller | South Africa | 2,630 runs in 133 matches at an average of 32.87 and a strike rate of 140.56 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 2,166 runs in 84 matches at an average of 25.78 and a strike rate of 133.86 |
| Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 1,705 runs in 62 matches at an average of 31.57and a strike rate of 112.39 |
Quinton de Kock opens the batting for South Africa and destroys bowling attacks in the powerplay. His aggressive approach sets the tone for the entire innings.
Aiden Markram combines elegance with power, capable of accelerating at any stage. David Miller remains one of cricket’s best finishers who wins matches in pressure situations.
For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz provides explosive starts at the top with fearless stroke play. Ibrahim Zadran anchors the innings while maintaining a healthy scoring rate throughout his time at the crease.
Key Bowlers
| Player | Team | T20I Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 78 wickets in 72 matches at an economy of 8.43 |
| Anrich Nortje | South Africa | 53 wickets in 45 matches at an economy of 7.29 |
| Keshav Maharaj | South Africa | 43 wickets in 43 matches at an economy of 7.61 |
| Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 188 wickets in 112 matches at an economy of 6.04 |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Afghanistan | 65 wickets in 53 matches at an economy of 7.00 |
Kagiso Rabada leads South Africa’s pace attack with his ability to take wickets in any phase. Anrich Nortje brings an express pace that troubles even the best batters. Keshav Maharaj controls the middle overs with his accurate left-arm spin.
Afghanistan’s bowling strength lies in Rashid Khan, one of world cricket’s best spinners with 170 T20I wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi spearheads their pace attack and can swing the new ball dangerously in the powerplay overs.
Live Streaming & Broadcast Details
Cricket fans worldwide can watch this exciting Group D clash through various broadcasting partners across different regions.
| Region/Country | Television | Digital/Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Star Sports Network | JioHotstar |
| Pakistan | PTV, Myco | Tamasha, ARY Zapp, Tapmad |
| Afghanistan | Lemar TV | – |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport digital |
| UAE | CricLife Max (via StarzPlay) | StarzPlay |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event | NOW |
| United States | Willow TV | Willow DTC, CricBuzz DTC, Willow YouTube |
Indian viewers can enjoy comprehensive coverage on Star Sports Network with commentary in multiple languages. Digital streaming is available on JioHotstar for convenient mobile viewing. Afghanistan fans can watch on Lemar TV with Pashto and Dari commentary for a local viewing experience.
Recent Form Analysis
South Africa comes into this match with strong momentum from their recent victories. Their batting lineup has been firing consistently, with multiple players contributing big scores. The bowling attack looks sharp with pace and spin options performing well together.
Afghanistan has shown remarkable improvement in its recent matches. They have defeated several top teams and proven they can compete at the highest level. Their spin attack remains world-class while their batting has gained more depth and reliability.
Match Preview and Prediction
South Africa enters as the favorites based on their perfect record against Afghanistan and overall squad strength. Their explosive batting lineup can post massive totals on flat pitches like Ahmedabad. The bowling attack has enough variety to challenge Afghanistan’s batters.
However, Afghanistan cannot be underestimated. They possess match-winners like Rashid Khan who can single-handedly change games. If their batters fire and give the bowlers something to defend, Afghanistan can trouble any team.
The pitch will likely produce a high-scoring contest. The team winning the toss should bat first and put pressure on their opponents. Expect scores above 180 from whichever side bats first.
South Africa should win this match based on their experience and quality across all departments. But Afghanistan has the talent to cause an upset if everything clicks together on the day.
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Conclusion: Competitive clash awaits in Ahmedabad
South Africa faces a determined Afghanistan side looking to claim their first-ever T20I victory against the Proteas. The Narendra Modi Stadium will host what promises to be an entertaining, high-scoring encounter between two strong teams.
Afghanistan’s world-class spinners will challenge South Africa’s powerful batting lineup in a fascinating tactical battle. Don’t miss this Group D thriller as both teams fight for crucial World Cup points in front of a massive Ahmedabad crowd.
