The Narendra Modi Stadium is buzzing with intensity as Match 13 of the T20 World Cup 2026 brings a high-stakes rematch of the 2024 semi-finalists to Ahmedabad. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to use the early moisture on the red-soil pitch to rattle the South African top order. With the Afghans desperately needing a win to stay alive after their loss to New Zealand, and the Proteas looking to maintain their dominant start, the world’s largest cricket stadium is set for a tactical showdown between pace and spin.
SA vs AFG: Why Corbin Bosch is missing the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Ahmedabad
South Africa have made a single, tactical change for today’s clash against Afghanistan, with George Linde returning to the XI in place of Corbin Bosch. The decision to bench the young all-rounder is not injury-related but a strategic move by the Proteas management to adapt to the Ahmedabad conditions.
Captain Aiden Markram confirmed at the toss that the team opted for an extra spinner in Linde to exploit the grip offered by the red soil and to counter Afghanistan’s spin-heavy middle order. Markram noted that while they would have preferred to bowl first due to the ‘precautionary’ moisture concerns, they are confident that having the dual spin threat of Linde and Keshav Maharaj will allow them to ‘squeeze’ the Afghan batters during the second innings when the pitch is expected to slow down.
“We would have bowled first as well, quite a bit of moisture, but not a bad thing to bat. We can get a good score on the board and squeeze a bit later and chase it as well. We had a good game against Canada and had a nice workaround. One change for us – we’re playing the extra spinner in George Linde, he replaces Corbin Bosch.” Markram said.
T20 World Cup 2026, SA vs AFG: A high-stakes reunion for the previous edition semi-finalists
The journey through the T20 World Cup 2026 has been contrasting for these two sides so far. South Africa enter this match with high momentum after a comprehensive 57-run victory over Canada, where Markram’s half-century and a record tournament total of 213/4 signaled their intent to go one step further than their 2024 runner-up finish. The Proteas appear balanced and clinical, with their pace battery of Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi firing alongside a middle order anchored by the ‘David Miller-Tristan Stubbs‘ engine room.
For Afghanistan, this match is a virtual knockout. After a heartbreaking five-wicket loss to New Zealand in their opening Group D fixture, Rashid’s men find themselves in a ‘must-win’ territory to keep their Super 8 dreams alive. Historically, the Proteas have been Afghanistan’s Achilles’ heel, winning all three of their previous T20I encounters, including the infamous 56-run demolition in the last World Cup semi-final. With games against Canada and UAE remaining, the Afghans know that an upset today in Ahmedabad is essential to avoid an early exit. For the winner, the path to the next round becomes a clear highway; for the loser, especially Afghanistan, the math for qualification becomes nearly impossible.
