India, Feb. 11 -- At the biggest stage, the finest margins often separate triumph from heartbreak - and this was one such evening. Afghanistan had their moments. A late cameo from Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad reignited their chase as they forced a Super Over. South Africa responded in kind, pushing the contest into a second tie-breaker in what was turning into an instant classic.

Setting a 24-run target, the Proteas felt they had sealed the victory. The near-confirmation came when Keshav Maharaj dismissed Mohammad Nabi on the second ball of the over. But then the Rahmanullah Gurbaz show began.

With three consecutive sixes, the equation narrowed to six off one ball, then five after Maharaj fired a wide past the tramline.

The momentum had ...