Match 13 of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup on Monday sees South Africa play their second group match against Afghanistan.
The Proteas took care of business in their first match, beating a plucky Canada side by 57 runs. They are second on the log behind New Zealand, with the Black Caps having won two from two so far. The top two teams from Group D qualify for the Super 8s. South Africa’s remaining group games are against New Zealand (Saturday) and the UAE (Next Tuesday).
Here is a look ahead at the contest.
South Africa VS Afghanistan
Wednesday, 11 February – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
South Africa has the benefit of playing all their group games in Ahmedabad, and the Proteas will be keen to use what they learned about the pitch against Canada to their advantage against a potentially dangerous Afghanistan side.
Aiden Markram is the 79/20 second-favorite to be the top bat after he top-scored for the Proteas in the group opener. He scored 59 off of just 32 balls at a strike rate of just under 185.
The biggest threat to South African batters will be Rashid Khan. Khan took only one wicket against the Black Caps, but he knows this ground and is more than good enough to pick up several wickets in a couple of overs when he is on his game. He is 24/5 to be the top bowler.
The battle that decides this contest will be South Africa’s top order against Afghanistan’s spin threat with the new ball. It is vital that Markram and Quinton de Kock work the powerplay to their advantage, but without taking any risks if the wicket is spin-friendly.
Lungi Ngiidi was excellent against Canada, taking four wickets in South Africa’s World Cup opener. He is 41/10 to be the top bowler here, but will face competition from his teammates. I wouldn’t be against going with the hot hand and taking the fourth favorite in this market to come out on top.
This could be a day where the South African middle order needs to come up big. New Zealand defeated Afghanistan because Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, and Daryl Mitchell at Nos. 4 through 6 all scored at least 25 runs.
England VS West Indies
Wednesday, 11 February – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
England could use a confidence-building win here after scraping past Nepal in their opener. West Indies won by 36 runs in their opener over Scotland, with Shimron Hetmyer top scoring with 64 from 36 balls.
The winner here will be out in front in Group B as the only team with two wins out of two.
England will need more from their supporting batsmen. Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook both scored half-centuries, but their teammates couldn’t keep up the scoring pace, with only Jos Buttler and Will Jacks also scoring in double figures.
This one feels like it could be close, and if you wanted to put something on the Windies winning, then that wouldn’t be the most out there wager in the world. I think England will win, but it will be tight.
