As if what was happening on the field of play wasn’t enough during South Africa’s T20 World Cup fiasco with Afghanistan, Proteas legend Dale Steyn took over the commentary booth much like he did during his fast bowling career.
By now, everyone will have seen or known what transpired in the match in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, with it already being widely referred to as the greatest cricket match ever played.
The Proteas required two Super Overs to beat Afghanistan, But the crux of the matter came before those two Super Overs. But the crux of the matter came before those two Super Overs.
Kagiso Rabada was the hero as he got Noor Ahmad out as South Africa began celebrating their victory. Those celebrations were short-lived though, as the siren sounded to indicate Rabada had overstepped to concede a no-ball and a free hit. All this was too much for Steyn, as he began shouting at the top of his voice into the microphone.
South Africa’s Thrilling Victory Over Afghanistan in a Double Super Over
A wide, a six, and another no-ball followed before Rabada finally managed to pull off a run out as Afghanistan were about to get back home for the winning run.
Though he also ensured in that action that South Africa did not lose, it followed Rabada also making sure the Proteas didn’t win.
Then, of course, there were the two Super Overs.
Afghanistan blasted 17 runs off the Super Over bowled by SA’s best bowler on the day, Lungi Ngidi.
Then Tristan Stubbs hit a six off the final ball of SA’s Super Over to tie the game again and send it into another Super Over.
This time, Stubbs and David Miller knocked it out of the park as South Africa made 23.
Then the Proteas called on spinner Keshav Maharaj in the second Super Over, because Rabada’s nerves would be shot and Ngidi wasn’t allowed to bowl in the Super Over again.
Then Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit three sixes in a row to leave Afghanistan six to win off the final ball, but finally, Afghanistan failed and South Africa won the second Super Over.
Fortunately, Steyn was still breathing by the end of it all. But for the sake of his health, the Proteas need to avoid nail-biters like this for the rest of the tournament at the very least.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
