T20 WC 2026: Afghanistan Face Must-Win Clash Against South Africa

South Africa will take on Afghanistan in a crucial Group D clash of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Wednesday, with both teams eyeing valuable points in the race to the Super Eight stage. The match will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While South Africa enter the contest with confidence after a winning start, Afghanistan face a must-win scenario to keep their qualification hopes alive. The fixture is scheduled to begin at 11 AM IST, with the toss set for 10:30 AM IST.

South Africa currently sit at the top of the Group D table following a comfortable victory over Canada. Skipper Aiden Markram led from the front in that match, scoring a composed 59 to guide his side to a convincing win. The Proteas will look to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position in the standings. A victory on Wednesday would significantly boost their chances of progressing to the next round.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, are under pressure after suffering a setback against New Zealand. Despite Gulbadin Naib’s explosive 35-ball 63 that powered Afghanistan to a competitive total of 182, their bowling attack struggled to defend the score. New Zealand chased down the target with relative ease, exposing gaps in Afghanistan’s bowling unit. The team will need a more balanced performance against South Africa to stay in contention.

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The high-stakes encounter is expected to draw significant attention from fans across the country. The Narendra Modi Stadium, known for hosting marquee international fixtures, is set to witness another important World Cup contest. Both teams possess explosive batting line-ups and dynamic all-rounders, setting the stage for a competitive showdown. Conditions in Ahmedabad are likely to play a role, particularly as the match begins in the morning session.

The South Africa vs Afghanistan Group D match will be televised live on the Star Sports Network in India. Viewers can also follow the live streaming on the JioStar app and website. All broadcast details are as provided by the official broadcaster.

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