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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jun 23, 2024, 06:27:46 IST
Afghanistan vs Australia Live Score, T20 World Cup 2024: Afghanistan face a formidable challenge as they prepare to take on Australia in their T20 World Cup Super Eight Group 1 match on Sunday. Coming off a heavy 47-run loss to India, Afghanistan will be under pressure not only to secure a victory but also to improve their Net Run Rate, which took a hit after their initial defeat. Afghanistan stand third in the points table with a Net Run Rate (NRR) of -2.350. Moving up in a group that also includes Bangladesh will be an uphill task. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, with 178 runs, and Ibrahim Zadran, with 160, have been critical to Afghanistan’s batting lineup. However, the team requires more contributions from their middle and lower-order batsmen to pose a serious challenge to Australia. On the bowling front, Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has taken 15 wickets, and Rashid Khan, with 9 wickets to his name, have been consistently effective on varied pitches. Their performance will be crucial against a strong Australian batting lineup. Afghanistan showcased their all-round skills to finish second behind the West Indies in the group stage but will need to deliver their best to stop the 2021 winners, Australia, who currently boast a five-match winning streak. Australia's David Warner, with 169 runs, and Travis Head, with 179, form a destructive opening pair capable of dismantling top bowling attacks. The key for Afghanistan could lie in Rashid Khan's strategic use of Farooqi and his own bowling capabilities to disrupt Australia's rhythm. The teams last faced off during the ODI World Cup in 2023 in Mumbai, where Glenn Maxwell played an exceptional double-century knock despite suffering from cramps, with Pat Cummins providing strong support.
AFG vs AUS Live: Brilliant effort by Zampa
Legspinner Zampa almost pulls off a 'Superman catch' at backward point fence as Zadran's (16*) airborne cut almost came to nothing, but it's a FOUR in the end after the airbrone Zampa got a hand to it. AFG vs AUS Live Score: Afghanistan 40 for 0 in 6 overs.
AFG vs AUS Live: That would have hurt
Cummins follows Zadran with one that cut in and rammed into his thigh guard. And the batsman is in some discomfort, calls for the physio right away.
AFG vs AUS Live: Another SIX for Gurbaz
Gurbaz (17*) dances down the track again, this time against Hazlewood, to hit his second SIX of the match -- over the long-on-fence. Zadran (7*) then gets one on his legs and helps himself with a glance for FOUR. AFG vs AUS Live: Afghanistan 29 for 0 in 5 overs.
Afghanistan vs Australia: Numbers need to be toned down
It's definitely not a 170-180 wicket, maybe not even 150. So Gurbaz and Zadran will do well to recognize that quickly and pick the lose deliveries, while respecting the good ones. At the moment, the openers are finding it difficult to time the ball, as Pat Cummins repeatedly goes past the right-hander Gurbaz (10*). But the Afghan opener sizes it up after five dot balls to hit the first SIX of the match, straight down the ground. AFG vs AUS Live Score: Afghanistan 17 for 0 in 4 overs.
AFG vs AUS Live: Not an easy wicket to bat
The first 12 deliveries suggest batting is not going to be easy on this wicket as Hazlewood too extracts some seam movement, bowling five dot balls after inside-edged FOUR off the first ball that beat Gurbaz (4*). AFG vs AUS Live Score: Afghanistan 9 for 0 in 2 overs.
AFG vs AUS Live: Five runs off the first over
There was turn and bounce on offer for Agar, as one delivery beat both Gurbaz and wicketkeeper Wade to go the third-man fence for FOUR byes. AFG vs AUS Live Score: Afghanistan 5 for 0 in 1 over.
AFG vs AUS Live: Ready for bat vs ball
Ashton Agar has the new ball in his hands to bowl the first over, while Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are ready to face, with the former taking first strike.
AFG vs AUS Live: Time for National Anthems
The two teams are out in the middle, and it's the Australian National Anthem to be sung first.
AFG vs AUS Live: Australia Playing XI
David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
AFG vs AUS Live: Afghanistan Playing XI
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
AFG vs AUS: Rashid Khan's words at the toss
"To be honest, we wanted to bat first. The record of this wicket suggests it becomes harder while chasing; we got what we wanted. What is done is done, can't think about the past. It's about the mindset we go in with today, the more you enjoy the better you perform. We've spoken about our execution and getting it right. It's about playing our cricket. Everyone likes to play against big teams, it's when you get better. Good occassion for us, we get better day by day facing these big teams. We have two changes, Kharote and Janat in for Najibullah Zadran and Hazratullah Zazai."
Afghanistan vs Australia: Mitchell Marsh says...
"We'll try and have a read on conditions and have a good night. We know Afghanistan are a good side. We just need to trust our process and enjoy it. Ashton Agar comes in for Mitchell Starc, purely conditions based."
AFG vs AUS Live: Toss News
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh wins the toss and decided to bowl first.
AFG vs AUS Live
Stay tuned! Toss coming up in under five minutes from now.
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AFG vs AUS Live
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be desperate for a win. They were beaten by India in their opening 'Super 8s' match by 47 runs.
AFG vs AUS Live
Australia are yet to be beaten in the tournament, having won all their five matches, and will look to make it six in a row with anther win today at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, St Vincent.
The Group 1 fixture is the second game of the 'Super 8s' stage for both the teams, with Australia winning their last and Afghanistan losing to India
Welcome once again to Timesofindia.com's Live coverage of the T20 World Cup that is moving towards the business end, entering the final week today with the 'Super 8s' game between former champions Australia and Afghanistan
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