Match 13 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will feature South Africa taking on Afghanistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on February 11. The match will start at 11:00 AM IST, with the toss scheduled for 10:30 AM.
This is an important Group D encounter. South Africa started their campaign with a strong win against Canada, while Afghanistan suffered a defeat against New Zealand. With only two teams advancing to the Super 8 stage, this game is crucial, especially for Afghanistan.
Match Details
| Match | South Africa vs Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ICC T20 World Cup 2026 |
| Match Number | 13 (Group D) |
| Date | February 11, 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 AM IST (Toss 10:30 AM) |
| Venue | Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar (India) |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
SA vs AFG Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)
South Africa have dominated Afghanistan in T20 internationals so far.
| Matches | South Africa Wins | Afghanistan Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 |
The most recent meeting came in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal, where South Africa secured a comfortable victory.
Pitch Report: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The surface in Ahmedabad is known to be batting-friendly, offering good bounce and a fast outfield. Once batters settle in, big scores are possible.
- Expected first innings score: 190–200+
- Teams may prefer to bowl first due to dew factor
- Pacers could get early assistance with the new ball
- Spinners are likely to play a role during the middle overs
- A total above 200 will put the batting side in a strong position
Fans can expect a high-scoring contest if conditions remain dry and clear.
Also see: SA vs AFG Toss Prediction Match 13th T20 World Cup 2026
Probable Playing XI
South Africa (SA)
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
Impact options: Anrich Nortje, George Linde, Jason Smith
Afghanistan (AFG)
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman
Impact options: Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai
Also see: SA vs AFG Dream11 Prediction Today Match 13th, Player Stats
Players to Watch
South Africa
- Kagiso Rabada – Key wicket-taker in powerplay and death overs
- Marco Jansen – Provides bounce and all-round value
- David Miller – Dangerous finisher in high-scoring games
- Tristan Stubbs – Aggressive middle-order option
Afghanistan
- Rashid Khan – Match-winner with the ball and handy with the bat
- Mujeeb Ur Rahman – Effective in powerplay overs
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz – Explosive opener
- Ibrahim Zadran – Provides stability at the top
Match Context and Strategy
South Africa will look to use their strong pace attack early and then control the middle overs with spin. Their batting depth gives them an advantage on a high-scoring surface.
For Afghanistan, the key will be their spin trio of Rashid, Mujeeb, and Nabi. If they can restrict South Africa in the middle overs and their openers provide a strong start, the contest could become very competitive.
Since this is a must-win situation for Afghanistan, expect an aggressive approach from the start.
Match Prediction
South Africa enter the match as favorites due to their balanced squad, recent form, and strong record against Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan’s world-class spin attack and the pressure of a must-win game could make this a close contest.
If Afghanistan bat first and post a 200+ total, the match could turn into a high-scoring thriller.
Where to Watch
The SA vs AFG match will be available for free live streaming on the JioHotstar app and website in India, while television coverage will be available on the Star Sports Network.
