Hope alive despite consecutive defeats! How will Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan reach Super-8?

Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan face a tough challenge for Super 8 qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup after consecutive defeats in Group D. They lost to New Zealand (8 February, Chennai) by 5 wickets and suffered a heart-breaking double Super Over defeat to South Africa (11 February, Ahmedabad, Match 13), where they tied the main match at 187 but lost in the tie-breaker.

As of February 11, 2026, the Group D standings show:
– New Zealand: 2 matches, 2 wins, 4 points, NRR +1.919 (top spot)
– South Africa: 2 matches, 2 wins (including matches against Canada and Afghanistan), 4 points, NRR +1.425
– Afghanistan: 2 matches, 0 wins, 0 points, NRR -0.555 (3rd)

Group D consists of New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Canada and UAE. The top two teams will reach the Super 8.

**Remaining matches of Afghanistan:**
– 16 February: Against UAE (Delhi)
– 19 February: Against Canada (Chennai)

To survive, Afghanistan must **win both matches** to reach 4 points and significantly increase their NRR.

**Qualification Scenario:**
Their fate depends on their opponents. Afghanistan needs **either New Zealand or South Africa to lose both of their remaining games** (which would leave them on 4 points), leading to a three-way tie on 4 points, with NRR deciding the second spot.

New Zealand’s remaining matches: vs South Africa (February 14, Ahmedabad—virtual knockout for top spot) and vs Canada.
South Africa’s remaining matches: vs New Zealand (14 February) and vs UAE.

**Critical Risk: NZ vs SA on 14th February** — If the match is abandoned (washed out by rain), both will get 1 point each, making 5 points. Afghanistan can score a maximum of 4 points, which will result in **immediate elimination**.

A win in NZ vs SA gives the winning team 6 points and ensures Super 8 qualification, which increases the pressure on Afghanistan.

After an impressive performance in the 2024 semi-finals, Afghanistan’s campaign now hinges on a perfect performance against UAE/Canada and poor results against NZ/SA. To improve NRR in any tie, it is necessary to win by a big margin. The dream is alive but it requires great play and luck.