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"Lost So Much Weight" - Ngidi's Stressful Super Over Win vs Afghanistan

South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi described the immense stress he felt during a dramatic double Super Over victory against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup. Ngidi, named Player of the Match, revealed he had "lost so much weight" due to the pressure of the contest. The match was tied at 187 runs, leading to two tense Super Overs where Tristan Stubbs and David Miller's big hitting for South Africa ultimately proved decisive. Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz hit three consecutive sixes in the final over but was caught on the last ball, falling just short.

Key Points: Lungi Ngidi on Stressful T20 WC Super Over Win vs Afghanistan

  • South Africa wins in double Super Over thriller
  • Ngidi admits to extreme stress and weight loss
  • Stubbs and Miller's hitting proves crucial
  • Afghanistan's Gurbaz nearly pulls off miracle chase
  • Match tied at 187 runs before Super Overs
3 min read

T20 WC: "Lost so much weight," says Lungi Ngidi after South Africa win nail-biter against steely Afghanistan

South Africa's Lungi Ngidi reveals extreme stress after nail-biting Super Over victory against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup. Read his candid post-match quotes.

"s.QUOTE: Lost so much weight today. Never been this stressed in my life in a cricket game. - Lungi Ngidi"

Ahmedabad, February 11

South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi admitted he had never felt that level of stress on a cricket field after the Proteas scraped past Afghanistan in a nail-biting fixture of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup that went down to the wire at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

During the post-match presentation, reflecting on the tense finish, Ngidi revealed the emotional toll of the contest and expressed relief at emerging victorious. "Lost so much weight today. Never been this stressed in my life in a cricket game. Happy to come out on top," Ngidi said after winning the Player of the Match, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The experienced pacer acknowledged his responsibility in the crunch moments, particularly with the Super Over looming. "Knew I'd probably be the Super Over option, captain (Aiden Markram) said keep doing the same," Nigidi said, underlining the trust shown in him by the South Africa skipper.

Ngidi, however, was candid about his own assessment of his performance, admitting that things did not go according to plan early on. "Let myself down in the first over, didn't go to plan."

The right-arm pacer added that inputs from teammates helped him recalibrate his approach as the pressure mounted. "Clear from Quinton de Kock, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs that balls into the wicket were working."

In match 13 of the ongoing ICC tournament, South Africa defeated Afghanistan in a second Super Over thriller.

After the match tied with the score of 187 runs from both sides, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmatullah Gurbaz came to bat for Afghanistan as they managed to extract 17 runs in the first Super Over against the bowling of Lungi Ngidi.

Fazalhaq Farooqi came to bowl for Afghanistan while defending 17 runs in the Super Over. He bowled well and got the wicket of Dewald Brevis, but Tristan Stubbs hit two boundaries, including a six on the last delivery, to force another Super Over.

Stubbs and Miller batted for South Africa again, and Afghanistan gave the ball to Omarzai. Stubbs welcomed him with a six. Miller hit a couple more sixes to end the over with 23 runs.

Mohammad Nabi came to bat with Omarzai while chasing a challenging target of 24 runs. South Africa introduced spin in the Super Over and gave the ball to Keshav Maharaj. He started with a dot ball, then got the wicket of Nabi.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz came to bat after that and hit back to back three sixes. With one more six needed on the final delivery, Gurbaz holed out at the point as Afghanistan lost the well-fought match.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan, this was the most thrilling T20 I've seen in years. Two super overs! Ngidi's honesty about his stress is so relatable. You could see the pressure on every player's face. Fantastic advertisement for the sport.
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Arjun K
Afghanistan's rise in cricket is incredible. From a team that used to struggle to now pushing top sides to the absolute limit. Gurbaz hitting those sixes under pressure... wow. They have won millions of hearts in India today, even in defeat.
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Priya S
Respect to Ngidi for admitting he let himself down in the first over. That's a sign of a true sportsman. But honestly, the decision to bring in Maharaj for the second super over was a masterstroke. Spin in Ahmedabad under lights is always tricky.
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Karthik V
While the match was epic, I have to say the pitch seemed very flat, making it a pure batter's game. Bowlers like Ngidi are under immense pressure with no help from the surface. Hope we see more balanced wickets in the tournament going forward.
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Meera T
Stubbs and Miller were ice cool! That's the kind of finishing we need in the Indian team sometimes. What a game to watch with family, we were all screaming at the TV. This World Cup is delivering some unforgettable moments already.

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