World Cup 2026 Match 39 delivered a tense low-scoring contest at Perth Stadium, where South Africa edged past Afghanistan by just three wickets with 2.5 overs remaining. In a match dominated by bowlers and constant momentum shifts, Aiden Markram emerged as the decisive figure with a composed all-round performance.
Afghanistan, after opting to bat, struggled to build sustained partnerships and were bowled out for 99 in just 8.3 overs. Karim Janat’s aggressive 23 off 9 balls provided brief resistance, while Rahmanullah Gurbaz (21 off 11) and Nijat Masood (11 off 6) added flashes of intent. However, regular wickets halted any chance of acceleration. Markram led South Africa’s bowling attack superbly, claiming 3 wickets for 31 runs, supported well by Wayne Parnell and Marco Jansen.
Chasing a modest target, South Africa’s innings was far from straightforward. Rashid Khan and Nijat Masood applied relentless pressure, reducing the Proteas to 70 for 7 and threatening a dramatic upset. Rashid’s spell of 3 for 9 was particularly impactful, keeping Afghanistan firmly in the contest.
Calm under pressure, Aiden Markram anchored the chase with an unbeaten 28 off just 9 balls, striking at over 300 and ensuring South Africa crossed the line. His late hitting, combined with Keshav Maharaj’s composure at the other end, finally broke Afghanistan’s resistance.
The match highlighted South Africa’s ability to handle pressure situations, while Afghanistan once again showcased their bowling strength despite falling short. Markram’s all-round contribution rightly earned him the Man of the Match award in a gripping World Cup encounter.