Cricket legend Irfan Pathan has showered praise on the electrifying South Africa-Afghanistan showdown, calling it a pinnacle of World Cup drama. The February 12 encounter at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium unfolded like a blockbuster, complete with super overs that kept spectators glued to their screens.
On JioHotstar, Pathan dissected the game’s brilliance. ‘No doubt, this ranks as one of the tournament’s finest and slots comfortably into the World Cup’s top five best-ever matches,’ he said. From no-balls sparking free hits to frantic run-outs and botched yorkers, the match had it all, amplified by two super overs of pure tension.
He delved into the bowling tactics, explaining how pacers leaked runs under duress while slower deliveries turned the tide. Pathan singled out Keshav Maharaj’s composure in the decisive super over moment against Gurbaz. ‘That last ball was class – staying wide, recovering from a wide, and sealing the deal. What a contest!’
Recapping the scorecard: South Africa made 187 batting first post-toss loss. Afghanistan replied with 187 in 19.4 overs. First super over saw Afghanistan at 17, equaled by Stubbs’ six. South Africa then blasted 23. Afghanistan stumbled with Nabi’s early wicket, facing 24 off four. Gurbaz’s three sixes brought hope, but Maharaj’s wide followed by Gurbaz’s run-out on the last ball, needing five, gifted South Africa a thrilling four-run win.
Pathan’s verdict underscores why this match will be replayed for generations, a testament to cricket’s unpredictable magic.