ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Day X: South Africa Edge Afghanistan in Double Super Over Thriller, Australia Crush Ireland & West Indies Beat England
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 served up incredible drama and dominant performances on another action-packed day of cricket. In a historic Group D contest, South Africa beat Afghanistan in the first double Super Over finish in T20 World Cup history. Meanwhile, Australia thumped Ireland and West Indies secured a convincing win over England, ensuring plenty of talking points for fans and analysts alike.
Here’s a full look at all three matches played today — including top scorers, key bowlers, tactical turning points, and what the results mean for the tournament moving forward.
🏆 South Africa vs Afghanistan – South Africa Won After Two Super Overs
In one of the most extraordinary games in T20 World Cup history, South Africa and Afghanistan produced a match that will be talked about for years.
📊 South Africa Innings – 187/6
South Africa, batting first at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, posted an imposing 187 for 6 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by two outstanding half-centuries:
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⭐ Ryan Rickelton scored a fluent 61 runs, lacing his innings with crisp timing and aggression.
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⭐ Quinton de Kock contributed 59 runs, combining power and placement to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Lower-order contributions from Dewald Brevis and David Miller ensured South Africa finished with a competitive total.
The Afghan bowling attack was led by Azmatullah Omarzai, who claimed key wickets and finished with impressive figures.
📈 Afghanistan Reply – 187 All Out
In response, Afghanistan produced one of the most remarkable knocks of the tournament. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was sensational, scoring 84 runs from just 42 balls, striking 7 sixes in a breathtaking display of power hitting.
However, Afghanistan ultimately fell short on the very last ball, tying the match at 187 all out in 19.4 overs — forcing the first Super Over of the tournament.
🌀 Double Super Over Drama
This match made history as the first double Super Over in T20 World Cup history:
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In the first Super Over, both teams scored 17 runs, keeping the drama alive.
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In the second Super Over, South Africa posted 23/0, thanks to big hitting from David Miller and Tristan Stubbs.
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Afghanistan needed 24 to win, and Gurbaz launched three consecutive sixes, almost forcing a third Super Over before being dismissed.
South Africa ultimately claimed victory by five runs, a result that keeps their Super 8 hopes alive and underlines their fighting spirit in high-pressure moments.
🏏 Australia vs Ireland – Australia Win by 67 Runs
In Colombo, Australia fired a powerful opening campaign performance against Ireland, showcasing both batting depth and ruthless bowling.
📊 Australia Innings – 182/6
Australia posted a strong total of 182 for 6, built on key contributions across the batting lineup:
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⭐ Marcus Stoinis played a crucial role with 45 runs, setting the tone with aggressive stroke play.
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⭐ Josh Inglis supported with a quickfire 37 runs, giving Australia momentum with power hitting through the middle overs.
The partnership between these batters laid the foundation for a challenging target.
🎯 Ireland Reply – 115 All Out
Ireland’s chase never got going properly. They finished on 115 for 9 (16.5 overs) as Australia’s bowlers seized control:
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🏆 Nathan Ellis was the standout bowler with 4 wickets for just 12 runs, tearing through the Irish top order with hostile pace.
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🎯 Adam Zampa was equally impressive, claiming 4/23, dismantling Ireland’s middle and lower order with sharp spin bowling.
Australia’s victory by 67 runs highlighted their all-round strength and boosted their confidence for the challenges ahead in Group B.
🥊 West Indies vs England – West Indies Win by 30 Runs
The final match of the day brought another big result as the West Indies defeated England in a convincing Group C battle.
📊 West Indies Innings – 196/6
West Indies posted a formidable total of 196 for 6, showcasing their aggressive batting credentials on a batting-friendly surface.
Key performers included:
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🌟 Sherfane Rutherford, who starred with a match-winning 76 runs, combining big hitting with smart shot selection to propel the West Indies to a high total.
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⚡ Jason Holder provided valuable support with a quick 33 runs, ensuring the innings maintained a high run rate throughout.
The Windies’ batting line-up exploited the conditions well, balancing aggression and controlled strike rotation.
🧠 England Reply – 166 All Out
England began their chase confidently but slipped under pressure as West Indies’ bowlers struck at key moments:
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🧿 Gudakesh Motie starred with 3 wickets, applying pressure with incisive spin bowling.
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🎯 Roston Chase backed him up with 2 crucial scalps, breaking crucial partnerships and stalling England’s recovery.
Despite some notable contributions from the England camp, the visitors were eventually dismissed for 166, handing West Indies a 30-run victory in a game that reaffirmed the Caribbean side’s T20 prowess.
📊 Day X Summary & Key Takeaways
💥 Historic Double Super Over Thriller: South Africa’s dramatic victory over Afghanistan marked one of the most unforgettable matches in T20 World Cup history, blending resilience, explosive batting, and high-pressure bowling.
🔥 Australia’s Comprehensive Performance: A clinical all-round display against Ireland underlined Australia’s championship credentials early in the tournament.
🌴 West Indies Spin Dominance: West Indies’ triumph over England showcased the strength of their spin department and power hitting in crucial stages of the game.
🏁 Looking Ahead
With today’s results, the group tables in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 are tighter than ever, with teams jostling for Super 8 qualification spots and momentum ahead of tougher upcoming clashes. The dramatic twists — from double Super Overs to big wins — signal just how unpredictable and exciting this tournament has become.