AFG vs SA 13th T20 WC 2026 Preview: Afghanistan (AFG) is prepared to take on South Africa (SA) in a crucial Group D 13th match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 11. Afghanistan is already under pressure after an opening defeat, but they would enter this match knowing it could define their tournament fate. On the other hand, South Africa looks very settled after a commanding start, and they will aim to move closer to Super Eight qualification.
Afghanistan’s Uphill Battle
Afghanistan reached the semi-finals in the 2024 edition. However, in the current campaign they have started on a difficult note. A loss to New Zealand has left them in a must-win scenario. As the group is so competitive, even victories against Canada and the UAE may not be enough if they fail against South Africa.
Most importantly, history is also not in their favour. Afghanistan had faced South Africa three times in T20 internationals, and they are yet to cross the line. Their previous World Cup meeting was particularly one-sided because South Africa bowled them out cheaply and chased the target with ease. Hence, Afghanistan is under tremendous pressure because a single loss will thrash them out of this tournament.
South Africa’s Strong Momentum
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South Africa came into this contest after almost every box in their opening match against Canada. Captain Aiden Markram led from the front with a half-century. Most importantly, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs are back in form, and together they stitched a crucial partnership to post one of the highest totals of the tournament. Lungi Ngidi’s four-wicket haul was crucial for his confidence and boosting the overall morale of the team.
Another win, especially against Afghanistan, would significantly ease South Africa’s path to the Super Eight stage, and it would strengthen their position as one of the most balanced teams in the competition.
Key Players in Focus
Rashid Khan – Afghanistan
Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan’s biggest strength. Though he couldn’t do much in the upcoming encounter, his recent T20 numbers against Full Member teams underline his consistency and impact. Afghanistan is in a do-or-die situation, and his all-round contribution will be critical.
Quinton de Kock – South Africa
Quinton de Kock looked good against Canada, but unfortunately he couldn’t do much. However, since his comeback, he has been scoring at a rapid strike rate and also enjoys a strong record in Indian conditions.
Expected Playing 11s
Afghanistan Expected XI
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Gulbadin Naib
- Sediqullah Atal
- Darwish Rasooli
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Rashid Khan (capt)
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
South Africa Expected XI
- Aiden Markram (capt)
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Ryan Rickelton
- Dewald Brevis
- David Miller
- Tristan Stubbs
- Marco Jansen
- Corbin Bosch
- Kagiso Rabada
- Keshav Maharaj
- Lungi Ngidi
Pitch and Conditions
The match is set to be played on a red-soil pitch in Ahmedabad. This pitch has traditionally favoured batters. In recent T20Is at this venue, the average first-innings score has crossed 200. The day game conditions and temperature are around 30°C, and it will test players physically.
Stats to Watch
- Quinton de Kock is getting very close to 3000 T20I runs for South Africa.
- Rashid Khan is set to achieve a new milestone of 700 T20 wickets.
What to Expect from AFG vs SA 13th T20 WC 2026
This contest between a confident South African unit and a determined Afghan side is getting a lot of hype because many fans expect it to be the first upset of the tournament. South Africa has the advantage in experience, squad depth, and past record. However, nobody can write off Afghanistan’s unpredictability, which makes them dangerous opponents. It will be interesting to see who takes the 2 points home. What do you think? Tell us your opinion below.
