In a match that had cricket fans on the edge of their seats, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has declared the recent South Africa versus Afghanistan clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as one of the greatest World Cup encounters ever. The game, played under the bright lights of the ongoing tournament, delivered non-stop action that Pathan believes firmly places it in the top five of cricket’s rich history.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Pathan couldn’t hold back his excitement. ‘This was undoubtedly one of the best matches of this World Cup, and easily among the top five in World Cup history,’ he enthused. The thriller featured two super overs, packed with drama including no-balls, free hits, run-outs, and missed yorkers – everything a cricket lover could dream of.
Pathan highlighted the bowlers’ struggles under pressure, noting how attempts at yorkers often went awry, leading to boundaries. ‘When they went for pace, runs flowed; slower balls created chaos and claimed wickets,’ he observed. Special praise went to South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj in the second super over, whose final delivery to Rahmanullah Gurbaz was a masterclass. After an initial wide, he composed himself, bowled wide of the stumps, and induced the match-winning dismissal.
The game itself was a rollercoaster. South Africa, batting first after losing the toss, posted 187. Afghanistan matched them exactly in 19.4 overs, forcing a super over. In the first, Afghanistan scored 17, with Tristan Stubbs leveling it via a last-ball six. South Africa then set 23 in the second. Afghanistan lost Mohammad Nabi early, needing 24 off four balls. Gurbaz smashed three sixes off Maharaj, but a wide and his subsequent run-out on the final ball, with five needed, handed victory to South Africa by four runs.
This epic showdown not only showcased Afghanistan’s fighting spirit but also South Africa’s resilience, etching itself into World Cup lore as a timeless classic.