Afghanistan vs Australia, ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! HISTORY FOR AFGHANISTAN! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs this into the pitch, takes pace off, on middle, Adam Zampa clears his front leg away to muscle it down the ground but fails to generate the power as the ball goes flat towards long on where Mohammad Nabi takes the catch with ease. AFGHANISTAN WIN BY 21 RUNS!

Fuller and on middle, Adam Zampa heaves it wide of deep square leg for a brace. 22 needed in 5 balls now!

Who will bowl the final over? Azmatullah Omarzai is the only medium pacer who has overs up his sleeve and indeed, he will get that ball. 24 runs needed for Australia, one wicket needed for Afghanistan.

Free Hit does not cost Afghanistan much! Hard-length delivery, on middle, angling in, Josh Hazlewood tries to pull it away but misses. Australia need 24 runs in the last over.

That is poor cricket from the fielding side. Pitched up and on leg, Josh Hazlewood flicks it towards deep square leg for a couple of runs. Oh..no! This is called a No Ball because Afghanistan had more fielders outside the circle. Free Hit next.

Back of a length and on off, takes pace off again, Adam Zampa pats it towards mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Streaky but Australia won't mind that! Full again and around off, Adam Zampa throws his bat it and gets an outside edge over short third for a boundary.

Fuller and outside off, Adam Zampa slashes at it but misses.

Short of a length and on off, slower again, Josh Hazlewood pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pace off, full and on leg, angling in, Josh Hazlewood backs away and swing at it but gets an inside edge as the ball rolls towards the keeper.

Fazalhaq Farooqi (2-0-12-0) to bowl the penultimate over. Can the leading wicket-taker of the tournament finish things off in this over?

Uppish but safe! Pitched up and around off, Josh Hazlewood backs away and slices it in the air but the ball lands safely in front of deep point. They cross. Australia needs 33 runs in 12 balls now!

Short of a length and outside off, Josh Hazlewood tries to cut it away but misses.

Slower one, full and on off, Adam Zampa pushes it through covers for a run.

Full and on off, Josh Hazlewood drives it towards mid off for a single.

Josh Hazlewood is the last man in for Australia.

OUT! TAKEN! You just cannot keep Gulbadin Naib out of this game as he takes a blinder now. Naveen-ul-Haq serves this full and around off, Ashton Agar drives it hard and aerially wide of extra covers, Gulbadin Naib dives low to his left and takes a splendid catch. Afghanistan one wicket away from the win now!

Back of a length and around off, angling away, Ashton Agar looks to cut it away but misses.

Naveen-ul-Haq (3-0-17-2) is back on to finish his spell.

Another slower one, full and on off, Ashton Agar bunts it towards mid off for one. Just two runs off the over and a wicket. Superb over!

Run out chance...missed! Back of a length and outside off, Ashton Agar cuts it towards point and sets off for the run, but is sent back when he is halfway through, he gives up but Noor Ahmad throws it on the bounce before the keeper arrives and it misses the stumps as well. Agar gets back on home!

Slower again, full and on middle, Adam Zampa eases it towards long on for a single.

Adam Zampa is the new man in.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Gulbadin Naib is having the night of his life! He rolls his fingers on the ball and takes all the pace off again, on a length and on middle, Pat Cummins gets completely deceived by the lack of pace and is through his swipe way early, the ball goes through and rattles the stumps. Afghanistan are just two wickets away from a historic win!

Swing and a miss! Back of a length and around off, Pat Cummins looks to heave it over mid-wicket but fails to connect.

Change of pace, full and outside off, Pat Cummins tries to squeeze it away but misses and his bat hits the ground, Rahmanullah Gurbaz collects it behind the stumps and appeals but nothing doing. Rashid Khan takes the review but UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Afghanistan lose another review.

Fires this one full and on off, Pat Cummins steers it towards short third where the fielder fumbles and allows the single. If the gathered that cleanly, Ashton Agar might have been in trouble.

Quicker one, short and around off, Pat Cummins has a wild swing across the line but misses.

Flatter, short but turns into the leg side, Pat Cummins fails to work it away. Wide called!

Tossed up, full and on middle, Pat Cummins blocks it out.

Short and around leg, Pat Cummins nudges it towards backward square leg.

Floated, full and on middle, Ashton Agar eases it towards long on for a single.

Ashton Agar comes in at number 9 for Australia.

OUT! TAKEN! Rashid Khan strikes a crucial blow here! Matthew Wade goes cheaply and Karim Janat makes amends for his earlier mistake with a brilliant catch. Tossed up, full and on leg, Matthew Wade goes down to sweep it away, but only manages to glove it behind towards short fine leg, the ball is dying on him, but Janat dives forward and takes a fantastic catch. Australia seven down now!

Rashid Khan (3-0-20-0) brings himself back into the attack.

Just back of a length and outside off, Pat Cummins stays back and taps the ball behind point for no run. 41 needed now off the final five overs.

Full and outside off stump, Pat Cummins leans right on and strokes it past the cover region for a couple of runs.

Pat Cummins is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! It would have required something special from Afghanistan to get rid of their 'boogeyman' Glenn Maxwell and Noor Ahmad has provided that moment of brilliance. Hard length outside off, enough width to go after it, Maxwell hangs back and slashes hard at it. The ball goes low and to the left of backward point where Noor Ahmad dives front and across to take a stellar catch with both hands. Gulbadin Naib has picked up another timely wicket and Maxwell departs after a fine knock.

Every now and then, we are seeing the ball do things off the pitch, especially when Gulbadin Naib is bowling. Banged in on a hard length and well outside off, this one seams away and just takes off after pitching. Glenn Maxwell has a waft at it but is quite surprised by the movement.

Takes pace off now and bowls it shorter and around off, Matthew Wade makes room and taps it behind point for a single.

Slightly back of a length and angled back in from around off stump, Matthew Wade punches it to the left of the bowler who makes a good stop.

Rashid Khan does well in the deep and saves a couple of runs for his side. Length ball on the fifth stump line, Glenn Maxwell waits for it and hammers it away a fair bit wide of long off for another brace.

Excellent running! On a good length and on the pads, Glenn Maxwell just tucks it away gently into the leg side past square leg and scurries back for the second run.

On a fuller length and around off stump, Matthew Wade gets on the front foot and just plays it through covers for one.

Excellent fielding this time around! On a good length and wide of the off stump, Glenn Maxwell just opens the bat face and slices it off the outer half to the right of Gulbadin Naib at short third. Naib dives across and even scores a direct hit at the keeper's end but the batters complete the single with ease.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! That is catastrophic from Karim Janat in the deep and Glenn Maxwell is enjoying it. Short of a length and outside off, Maxwell waits back and slaps the ball through point. The fielder charges in to save the second run but lets it through the hands for a boundary instead.

Slower one, in and around the off stump, Matthew Wade gets across the off stump and miscues the shot wide od mid on for a single.

SIX! Glenn Maxwell chancing his arm every now and then and he brings up a FIFTY as well, what a knock this has been so far! Pitched up a bit and around off stump, not all that full, Maxwell goes deep in the crease and whacks it high over the bowler's head and just ball just clears the fence.

Pitched up quite full and on the off stump, Matthew Wade drives it with a straight bat and right at the bowler who gets both hands on it but deflects the ball in front of mid off for a single.

Free runs for Australia! Back of a length and outside off, Glenn Maxwell tries to reach it but misses and stays down, Rahmanullah Gurbaz collects and throws it at the stumps but misses and Gulbadin Naib is not even looking at it which allows the batter to steal a bye.

Pitched up and on off, Matthew Wade drives it firmly through covers for a single.

Matthew Wade walks out to bat now.

OUT! LBW! A huge shout for LBW from the bowler and eventually, the finger goes up. Tim David has a chat with Glenn Maxwell and takes the review. Gulbadin Naib goes wider on the crease and bowls it on a hard length around off and gets it to jag back in a long way off the deck. Tim David gets caught on the crease and gets rapped on the pads. The third umpire is called in and there's nothing on UltraEdge. Ball Tracking shows that it is just clipping leg stump and the onfield decision of Out stands.

Pushing for two but they won't get it! Slower one, floated up full and wide of the off stump, Glenn Maxwell reaches out and powers it away wide of long off for a single.

Another googly, bowled flatter and on the pads, Glenn Maxwell works it behind square leg for a single.

A wrong'un now, flatter and turning back in from middle, Glenn Maxwell is late on it and gets hit around the groin region.

Fuller in length on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell looks for the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

SIX! Ominous signs for Afghanistan and they have seen this movie before. Floated full on the stumps and turning away, Glenn Maxwell just clears the front leg and whacks the ball 92-meters and over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Tossed up fuller and around off stump, driven away down to wide long off for a single.

Oh my, good luck playing that! More revs on the ball, drifted in on a length onto off stump, this one pitches, grips and turns away sharply with additional bounce and Tim David is left bamboozled.

FOUR! Well waited by Glenn Maxwell and he has powered that away to the fence. Slower one into the pitch around off and sitting up for the batter, Maxwell gets on the front foot and pulls it in between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Just back of a length and outside off, Glenn Maxwell nudges it wide of short third and looks for one but Tim David sends him back.

On a good length and slanted onto the pads, Tim David flicks it away through square leg and gets off the mark with a single.

Tim David is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Going back to seam has worked right away for Afghanistan. Gulbadin Naib bangs it into the pitch and bowls a heavy short ball over the stumps. The height is perfect and Marcus Stoinis gets hurried on and gets a top edge that pops straight up over the keeper's head. The fielders from short third and short fine leg run after it but it is the keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz who calls for it and pouches it safely. Naib brings out those guns of his in celebration.

Into the pitch a bit and over middle, Glenn Maxwell pulls it away in front of square on the leg side and picks up a single.

Bowled back of a length around off and getting it to jag back in sharply off the deck. Glenn Maxwell hangs back and manages to jam it out just behind the cut strip on the off side.

Drinks break! This has been quite a first half of the chase and after an early spell of dominance by the Afghans where they had Australia reeling at 30-odd for 3, the Aussies have hit back and it is that man, Glenn Maxwell again who is proving to be a thorn in Afghanistan's side. Can the spinners pull things back and get rid of the dangerman soon? Let;s find out.

Flighted, full and on middle, Glenn Maxwell steers it through cover-point for one more.

FOUR! My god, what a shot! Tossed up, full and on leg, Glenn Maxwell gives himself a bit of room to open up the off side, times his drive to perfection through extra covers for a lovely boundary.

Rashid Khan��drags his length back once more, on middle, Marcus Stoinis punches it towards long on for one.

Short again and on leg too, Glenn Maxwell flicks it off the back foot through square leg for another run.

Goes a bit short, on leg, Marcus Stoinis stays back and clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Tossed up, full and around off, Glenn Maxwell drills it to sweeper covers for a single.

Flighted, full and on off, Glenn Maxwell taps it through covers for one.

Slower through the air, full and on off, turns away, Glenn Maxwell attempts the reverse sweep but fails to connect.

Shorter in length and around off, Marcus Stoinis punches it through covers for a single.

FOUR! Glorious shot! Flighted, full and on off, Marcus Stoinis goes down quickly, fetches it, and nails his sweep as the ball zips through to the outfield and to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Flatter, short and on middle, Marcus Stoinis blocks it down the pitch.

Another appeal for LBW, but turned down again! Rashid Khan this time takes the review at the last moment. Floated, full and on middle and leg, Marcus Stoinis goes down to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that it is pitching outside leg. Afghanistan lose a review!

FIVE WIDES! Not an ideal start for Noor Ahmad! He tosses it up full but down the leg side, turns in, Marcus Stoinis fails to work it away and it beats Rahmanullah Gurbaz as well, the slip chases after it bit the ball wins the race to the fence.

Looped up, full and on off, Marcus Stoinis drives it through covers for one.

Fires this one in but down the leg side, Marcus Stoinis misses his flick. Wided.

Short again, on off, quicker too, Marcus Stoinis stabs it back to the bowler.

Short and around leg, Marcus Stoinis nudges it to short fine leg.

Flighted, full and on middle, Glenn Maxwell drills it to long on for a single.

A huge shout for LBW, but turned down! A googly now, full and on off, turns in, Marcus Stoinis goes for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls towards square leg. A leg bye is taken. Rashid Khan decides against the review!

BEATEN! Rashid Khan begins with a tossed-up delivery, full and on off, turns away sharply, Marcus Stoinis strides out block but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Rashid Khan brings himself into the attack now.

SIX! BANG! Maxi goes big now! Nangeyalia Kharote gives this one some more air, full and on middle, Glenn Maxwell goes down on one knee, uses his wrists excellently, and slog-sweeps way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Quicker, full and on off, Glenn Maxwell pushes it towards covers.

FOUR! Gets it through! Tossed up, full and on off, Glenn Maxwell goes down, almost loses his balance but still manages to execute the reverse sweep towards the third man fence for a boundary.

Floated, full and on middle, Marcus Stoinis drills it down to long off for another run.

Goes short and on middle, Glenn Maxwell watches it through and steers it towards point for a run.

Nangeyalia Kharote begins with a flatter delivery, full and on leg, Marcus Stoinis tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Nangeyalia Kharote to have a bowl now.

Darts this one full and on leg, Glenn Maxwell misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Flatter, short and on off, turns in, Glenn Maxwell winds up for the big shot but ends up patting it to short covers.

Flighted, full and on middle, Marcus Stoinis goes down and sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single.

A bit short and on middle, Marcus Stoinis clips it towards square leg.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Marcus Stoinis knocks it towards the bowler.

Marcus Stoinis walks out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! 'The President gets rid of the Bull here'! A massive wicket for Afghanistan and they are on top here. Mohammad Nabi starts with a floated delivery, full and around middle, David Warner goes down to sweep it away, but only manages to get a top edge behind towards short fine leg where Noor Ahmad settles under it and pouches it safely. In-form Wanrer goes and Australia are in big trouble!

Doing a bit too much! Just short of a good length and over off stump, this one jags back in sharply and Glenn Maxwell is beaten past the inside edge. The ball hits the pads and rolls to short third.

Good length in the channel outside off stump, Glenn Maxwell plays it away to covers.

FOUR! Limited footwork but the hand skills on display were immaculate. Pitched up around middle, Glenn Maxwell just gets inside the line and flicks it nonchalantly over the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

On a hard length and around off stump, Glenn Maxwell jams the ball down into the off side.

FOUR! Too straight from Azmat and that's easy pickings for Glenn Maxwell. Good length but angled into the pads, Maxwell tickles it past the diving keeper and the ball rolls away into the fine leg fence.

That one stayed down quite a bit! Azmatullah Omarzai begins from around the stumps and bowls it a bit fuller and in the channel around off, getting it to nip away. David Warner looks to play but the low bounce beats the inside edge and the keeper gets a bad bounce as well. They pick up a bye as the ball rolls to short third.

This is bowled quite full and around off stump, Glenn Maxwell stays back in the crease and works it away well wide of mid on for a couple of quick runs.

Pitches this one up wide of the off stump and gets it to angle across, Glenn Maxwell reaches out and has a waft at it but fails to connect.

Beaten! That in-between length now in and around the off stump and just going on with the angle, Glenn Maxwell ends up playing inside the line of the ball.

Another slower one, floated up quite full and angling back onto the base of the off stump, David Warner plays it late and angles it away towards backward point for another single.

Full and outside off, slanting it across the right-hander, Glenn Maxwell reaches out and slices the ball away to deep third for one more.

Pace off from Farooqi as well and this is pitched up on the fifth stump line, David Warner lets the ball come on and guides it past backward point for a single.

Pace off again and bowled fuller outside off stump, Glenn Maxwell looks to cover drive but fails to get it away.

A bit fuller and angling in from middle and leg, David Warner gets inside the line and flicks it nicely down to fine leg for a single.

Angling down leg! Naveen-ul-Haq goes wider on the crease and angles in a fuller delivery into the pads, Glenn Maxwell walks across to flick but misses and the ball goes off the pads in front of square leg. They get a leg bye.

Who will walk out now?

OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent change of pace from Naveen-ul-Haq and Mitchell Marsh has to walk back after a promising start. Smart cricket from Naveen as he knows Marsh is eager to get on the front foot and drive and Naveen takes pace off, bowling it fuller and around off stump. Marsh goes through with the shot and ends up lifting it high but only towards mid on. Mohammad Nabi there settles under it and snaffles it with the reverse cup.

On a good length, outside off and played off the front foot straight towards cover.

FOUR! This is good counter-attacking cricket from Mitchell Marsh here. Full and wide of the off stump, looking to angle it back in, Marsh gets on the front foot and gets to the pitch of the ball before lifting it away square over covers for a boundary.

Good length around the top of off stump, David Warner gets on the front foot and eases it towards cover.

Well, that was an outrageous attempted shot. On a good length outside off and swinging away, David Warner sits down on one knee and looks to fetch and slog it over mid-wicket but is well beaten.

Fuller in length again and swinging back in from middle, Mitchell Marsh heaves it off the inner half of the bat to mid on and scampers through for a quick single.

FOUR! Top shot! Pitched up in and around the off stump, Mitchell Marsh plants his front foot ahead and hammers it on the up and well to the right of mid off for a boundary.

Oh, that swung in late and Mitchell Marsh was almost too late on it as well. Nice and full, swinging back in from middle, Marsh manages to get the front leg out of the way and heaves it away in front of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR LEG BYES! A bit too straight to begin with from Fazalhaq Farooqi and those are free runs for Australia. Pitched up on the pads and swinging back in, Mitchell Marsh misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads and rolls away into the fine leg fence for four leg byes.

Fazalhaq Farooqi to share the attack.

Play and a miss, some start to the chase, Australia are 1 for 1 after 1. Back to around the stumps, pushed a bit fuller and wider, getting it to nibble away. David Warner comes forward to hit it through the off side but is beaten past the outside edge.

On a good length around off stump and angling in, Mitchell Marsh tucks it neatly off his legs and past square leg to get the Aussie run chase going with a single.

A bit of a prolonged appeal for LBW but the umpire says no. Switches to over the wicket for the right-hander and angles it back in a quite fair bit on a good length and into the pads. Mitchell Marsh looks to pick it up over square leg but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Mitchell Marsh walks out to bat number 3,

OUT! BOWLED'EM! That is fantastic bowling and fantastic captaincy to give the first over to Naveen-ul-Haq instead of Fazalhaq Farooqi. Naveen stays around the stumps and bowls it quite full on the leg peg, angling in and gets that magical outswinger going. Travis Head hangs back, clears his leg and looks to smash this across the line but plays all around it and he hears the death rattle behind him. What an electrifying start from Afghanistan!

Pitches this one up around the off stump line, Travis Head gets on the front foot and solidly strokes it away to covers.

What a stinging delivery to start the chase! Naveen-ul-Haq comes from around the stumps and angles it in from outside off stump on a hard length. The ball nips away sharply and takes off after pitching leaving Travis Head quite perplexed.

FOUR! 'The President,' Mohammad Nabi manages to end the innings in style for Afghanistan and sets a target of 149 for the Aussies. Just short of a good length, a bit more pace on it and angled in from the middle stump line. Nabi stays back in the crease and backs away before swiping it across and smashing the ball into the mid-wicket fence. Afghanistan finish with 148/6 on the board!

Edged but lands well short of the keeper! Another off-cutter, on a hard length and outside off, Mohammad Nabi goes hard at it but gets an outside edge and Matthew Wade gets a bad bounce and misses the ball. The batters scamper across for two runs.

Back of a length and over the stumps, Mohammad Nabi backs away to cut but misses.

DROPPED! Should have been four in four for Pat Cummins but David Warner has shelled that catch. Banged in well short and angled across the left-hander, Nangeyalia Kharote reaches out and looks to upper cut but doesn't get the timing right. Warner comes in but the ball is dipping and he ends up spilling it. Just the single is taken.

Nangeyalia Kharote is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Would you believe it? Back-to-back T20 World Cup hat-tricks for Pat Cummins and unlike the last game, Cummins is well and truly aware of it this time, sensational stuff. This is bowled on a hard length around middle and angling in, Gulbadin Naib has a swipe across the line but doesn't get much distance on it and the ball travels over mid-wicket. Glenn Maxwell comes in from the deep and takes a simple catch.

Gulbadin Naib comes out to the middle to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! CAUGHT! Well taken in the end by Tim David as he almost misjudged that one completely. Pat Cummins goes into the surface a bit and bowls it at the batter, Karim Janat comes forward and looks to heave it away but gets it high on the bat and over wide mid on. David comes in a bit too much but adjusts and just takes it over his head.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Pat Cummins.

FOUR! Oh, that's a bit unlucky but a very fruitful over for Afghanistan as 15 runs come off it. Pitched up in the slot and around off, Mohammad Nabi hangs back and hammers it away flat and wide of long off where Cameron Green gets a hand on it but the ball trickles to the fence.

Banged in shorter and over the stumps, Karim Janat gets inside the line and pulls it to deep square leg for one.

SIX! Oh, that has traveled all the way! Hard length around the top of off, Karim Janat gets squared up as he looks to stay back and whip across the line but the ball takes the outside edge and flies over deep third for a six.

Top work in the deep from the substitute fielder. Hard length outside off, Karim Janat steps out and smashes the ball away over extra cover. Cameron Green sprints to his left and flicks the ball in acrobatically to save two runs for his side.

DROPPED! It has been a day to forget for Ashton Agar in the field but this one was a tough, tough chance! Back of a length and outside off, Karim Janat swings hard at it and lifts it high off the toe-end of the bat. The ball swirls around the extra cover region and Aggar never really settles under it and ends up missing it completely. Two taken.

Just short of a good length and over off stump, Karim Janat opts to block this one out.

Mohammad Nabi walks out to bat now. Also, Josh Hazlewood (3-0-24-0) to bowl the penultimate over.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight to the man and Pat Cummins has outsmarted Rashid Khan here. Cummins drops the pace down to 109 clicks and bowls it a bit into the pitch and at the batter. Rashid Khan comes down the pitch and looks to swat it over long on but he hits it flat and straight to Tim David who takes a safe catch.

Another swing and a miss! On a hard length and around off stump, Rashid Khan stays back in the crease and swipes across the line but only connects with thin air.

Up, up and just out of reach! Fuller in length and outside off, Rashid Khan stays back and swings hard at it, the ball gets sliced up high over the point region. Travis Head rushes in from the deep and puts in a desperate dive but the ball goes through him and the batters get a brace.

WIDE! Oh, that has gone well over the batter's head. Slower-ball bumper, banged in halfway down the pitch and bounces like a tennis ball over Rashid's head. Called a wide.

Another slower delivery, bowled well shorter and pushed outside the off stump, Rashid Khan tries to reach out and upper cut it away but is beaten again.

Swing and a miss! Pat Cummins rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it into the pitch over middle stump. Rashid Khan sets up to pull but is beaten by the lack of pace and bounce both.

On a good length and outside off, Karim Janat reaches out and taps the ball away to sweeper cover for a single.

Rashid Khan is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Afghanistan are self-exploding here but that's some smart bowling from Adam Zampa. Bowled much quicker at 98 clicks and it is the attempted bumper from the leg spinner that is bowled around off stump. Ibrahim Zadran hangs back and looks to pull but is rushed and ends up splicing the ball towards backward point. The Aussie skipper, Mitchell Marsh takes a simple catch and Adam Zampa picks up another wicket.

A tad full again and around off, Karim Janat miscues the ball and it rolls to the off side for a single.

Nice and full at the stumps, Karim Janat watchfully blocks it back to the bowler.

Karim Janat comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TIMBER! That quick wrong'un and as they say, 'one brings two.' Adam Zampa comes in from over the stumps and bowls it quicker and flatter on middle stump. The toppie slides through quickly and turns into the right-hander. Azmatullah Omarzai rocks back to pull but is beaten all ends up and the ball crashes into the stumps.

Floated up full and drifted into the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran makes room and drives it down to liong off for just a single.

Slightly shorter and around off stump, Azmatullah Omarzai eases it away through the cover region and rotates the strike.

Good length around off stump, patted away to the left of covers for a quick single. A direct hit at the batter's end and Ibrahim Zadran would have been a goner.

Azmatullah Omarzai walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rahmanullah Gurbaz finally holes out and Marcus Stoinis gives him a bit of a send-off, not quite sure what that's about. Banged in short again but with a bit more intent and at the batter's body. Gurbaz hangs back to pull but doesn't get a hold of this one. David Warner at the square leg fence comes in a bit and takes a fine catch to bring Australia their first wicket.

Good fielding in the deep! Short of aa length and at the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks it away and the ball travels quickly behind deep square leg where the fielder slides across and keeps it down to two.

SIX! Rahmanullah Gurbaz is relentless! A nothing delivery really from Marcus Stoinis, halfway down the pitch and with not much pace on it. Gurbnaz stands tall and clobbers it over cow corner for a biggie.

Nicely bowled! Slower and following the batter down the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and pushes it back to the bowler.

Floated up quite full and around middle, Ibrahim Zadran hammers it on the up and down towards long on for one and that brings up the FIFTY for Ibrahim as well. What a solid showing this has been from the Afghan openers!

Stellar running yet again! Fractionally short and on the pads, tucked away neatly through mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs.

Flatter, short and around off, Ibrahim Zadran tries to cut but gets an outside edge towards short third for one.

Flighted, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it to the off side.

FIFTY FOR GURBAZ! A fantastic knock from him and against a top side! Short and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Oh..wow! That is unplayable! Flatter, full and on middle, grips and turns away sharply with extra bounce, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to play but gets beaten on the outside edge. Australia will not be happy seeing that as they will have to bat second on this surface.

Quicker, short and on middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran bunts it in front of point for a single.

Short of a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran guides it wide of point for one more.

Length again and on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks it towards deep square leg for one.

On a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran steers it towards point for a single, the fielder fumbles but no harm done.

Josh Hazlewood bangs in a bouncer but down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran leaves it alone. Wided.

Back of a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it to short covers.

FOUR! Clever batting! Josh Hazlewood lands this short and just outside off, Ibrahim Zadran slashes hard at it and slices it over short third for a boundary. Yet another 100-run stand between these two prolific openers and they become the first opening pair in Men's T20I cricket to put on three 100 plus stands, staggering.

Hard length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran pats it back to the bowler.

Another short delivery, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran works it through mid-wicket for one. End of a pretty eventful over and this is now the longest Australia have ever gone without a wicket in T20I cricket!

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Oh dear! It is Ashton Agar once again! This is a full toss, on off, Ibrahim Zadran smacks it on the bounce towards long off, Ashton Agar runs to his left, but fails to read the spin and lets through for a boudnary.

Short and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

MISSED STUMPING! Nothing is going Australia's way here! Darts this one full and on middle, angling in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet to slog it away but misses, Matthew Wade behind the stumps fails to collect it cleanly and the chance goes begging.

A huge shout for LBW, but turned down! Australia takes the review but it looks more in desperation here. A googly now, full and on middle, turns in a bit, Rahmanullah Gurbaz prods forward to block but the ball seems to go past the inside edge and hits him on the pads. However, UltraEdge shows a spike when the ball is next to the bat and Australia lose a review here.

SIX! Great shot! Tossed up, full and around middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz clears his front leg away, smokes it with a straight bat over the bowler's head for another biggie.

Fires this one full but down the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses his sweep. Wided.

Slower one, on a length and on leg, Ibrahim Zadran misses his flick and gets hit on the pads.

Hard length and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran tries to cut it away but misses.

Buzzers! Back of a length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single, the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses, Adam Zampa backing up fumbles a bit and the batters steal another run, This is excellent running from the Afghans here!

It is all happening there! This is full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drives it uppishly down the pitch, Marcus Stoinis stretches his right hand, gets fingertips on it but the ball parries towards long off, the batter decides for the second run, the fielder hits the stumps at the bowler's end but Gurbaz is safe again.

Is that a run-out? This time it was a direct hit at the bowler's end but no one seems really excited. The third umpire is called in and the replays show that Rahmanullah Gurbaz was well in. NOT OUT comes up on the big screen.

Pitched up, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz eases it towards long on for a single, he wants the second again but is sent back.

FOUR! Nicely played! Marcus Stoinis starts with a short delivery, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz swivels and helps it over short fine leg for a boundary.

A direct hit and he was a goner! Quicker, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it towards the mid-wicket region and goes for the second run, Glenn Maxwell runs from the deep, picks up, and throws it at the batter's end where it just misses the stumps. Zadran gets lucky there!

Gives this one some more air, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran lofts it nicely wide of long off and turns around for the second run, Tim David quickly gathers and throws it on the bounce to the bowler's end where Ashton Agar collects and breaks the stumps, but a desperate dive from Rahmanullah Gurbaz saves him there.

FOUR! Fine shot! Ashton Agar goes a bit short and on off, Ibrahim Zadran goes inside out, extends his arms and punches it sweetly over extra covers for a boundary this time.

Flighted, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drives it to short covers again.

Floated, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran goes down, makes room and lifts it over extra covers for a brace.

Tossed up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it to short covers.

Drinks! Afghanistan have done well to navigate through a tricky period early on and now both the openers look set. They will hope that at least one of them plays a big knock and the others can take a few risks to keep the runs flowing. Australia know that this is not an easy wicket to bat on and they will want to break this stand as quickly as possible and expose the middle order of the Afghans that has not been in great form in this tournament. Also, Ashton Agar to bowl after the break.

FOUR! A lovely shot to end the over and Afghanistan are 64/0 at the halfway mark. A bit too full and in the slot around middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets under the ball and heaves it away between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Flatter around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran stays compact and pushes the ball down through wide mid on for a single.

On a length and turning it onto the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz works it off the pads past square leg and takes a single.

Looking for two and will get it with ease. At the stumps, swept away behind the square leg region for a brace.

Well bowled! Pushed through flatter and around off stump, the ball takes off from a length as Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to cut and he is well beaten by the extra bounce.

Nice and quick, a bit fuller and turning in from middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to sweep but misses and no wide is given either.

Tossed up around off and this is driven off the front foot straight to covers.

On a fuller length and throws it outside off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drives it away through covers for a single.

Excellent fielding in the deep! Floated up outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz plants his front leg across and swats the sweep shot away behind square leg but Pat Cummins is quick to get across to his right at deep square leg and makes a fine diving stop. Two taken.

Fuller and quicker at the stumps, hit away straight to mid off.

Half an appeal for LBW but it is turned down. Flatter and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across the off stump and looks to sweep that away but misses and gets thudded onto the pads.

Gives this one a bit more air and bowls it quite full on the stumps, Ibrahim Zadran jams the ball out through extra cover and turns the strike over.

On the shorter side and around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it from the crease towards mid off for one.

WIDE! Well, that's certainly hit a crack! Flatter one around middle, this one turns square and goes down the leg side for a wide.

Quicker this time and shooting off a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran is taken aback and is beaten by the extra bounce.

Stump-to-stump bowling, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it back to the bowler.

Bowler's end would have been a lot of trouble! Quicker and shorter around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stands tall and slaps the ball away through covers. He wants two and is halfway down the pitch before getting sent back. Pat Cummins throws the ball at the keeper's end which allows Gurbaz to scamper back.

On a length again and angled into the pads, Ibrahim Zadran works it away past square leg and picks up a single.

Quicker one, on a good length and turning it in from middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it around the corner for no run.

Just bowls it a bit flatter and around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it off the front foot to deep cover and gets another single. The Afghan openers growing in confidence now.

This is floated up on the pads and Rahmanullah Gurbaz just tucks it away past mid-wicket for one more.

Nicely flighted, a bit fuller and around off, Ibrahim Zadran tentatively plays it away through the gap at covers and picks up another un.

Uppish but safe! Flighted up around off stump, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and drives it through the cover region for a single.

FOUR! Top shot! Drifted in, full and onto the leg peg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shimmies across to the leg side and smashes it straight back to the left of long on for a boundary.

Tossed up on a length around off and sliding on, Rahmanullah Gurbaz bunts it off the front foot on the off side and looks for one but won't get it.

11 runs off the final over of the Powerplay and Afghanistan are 40/0, a pretty solid start on this surface. Banged into the pitch and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz bends his back and jabs it away from the body to short third for a quick single.

On the shorter side and angling it into the hips, Ibrahim Zadran hops and tucks it away towards short fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Oh, what an effort in the deep from Adam Zampa and he almost pulled off a stunner there. Banged in short and outside the off stump, Ibrahim Zadran stays leg side of the ball and slashes it away wide of deep third where Zampa sprints to his right and dives across getting a right hand on it but the ball doesn't stick and rolls away to the fence.

FOUR! Oh, that is sloppy from Ashton Agar in the deep. Just short of a good length but in the hitting arc, Ibrahim Zadran swings it away aerially and in front of deep backward square leg where Agar runs across to his left but lets it through for a boundary.

Slight halt! Ibrahim Zadran looks in a bit of discomfort after getting hit around his waist and the physio is in to check on him. We are good to continue now.

Ouch! Pat Cummins sees Ibrahim Zadran backing away and follows him with a hard-length delivery, angling it back in a fair bit. Ibrahim looks to swipe across the line but misses and takes a blow onto the back hip.

Back of a length and on a tight line around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz bends his back and jams it down to short third for a quick single.

Short of a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran dabs it down to point. 12 runs off the over!

FOUR! Easy pickings! Josh Hazlewood loses his line a bit and pitches it up, on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran just has to get some bat on that and glances it away towards the vacant fine leg fence for a boundary.

Touch fuller and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet again and taps it towards cover-point for a run.

SIX! BOOM! Rahmanullah Gurbaz showing good intent now! Back of a length and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz picks up the length early, skips down the track and whacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

BEATEN! Josh Hazlewood lands this on a good length, angles in and then straightens after hitting the deck, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets squared up as the ball zips past the outside edge.

Fuller and on middle, shaping in, Ibrahim Zadran works it off the inner half of the bat through square leg for a single.

SIX! BANG! That should release some pressure! Pat Cummins goes fuller this time and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away a bit, swings through the line to tonk it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Short of a length and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet but only manages to dab it down to point.

Four dots in a row now! Pat Cummins sticks with the same length and just around off, gets a bit of extra bounce and Rahmanullah Gurbaz lets it go again.

Hard length this time, on off, shaping away, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to guide it away but misses it completely.

Back of a length and on off, holds a bit on the surface and then takes off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.

Pat Cummins hits the good length straightaway, on the fifth stump line, Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdraws his bat at the last moment.

Short again and around off, Ibrahim Zadran steers it towards cover-point.

Flatter, short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran pats it back to the bowler.

Slows it up, full and on off, turns away again, Ibrahim Zadran tries to drive but gets an outside edge along the ground to short third.

Goes short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and punches it through extra covers for a brace. There is a check for short-run, but the replay shows that it is fine.

Quicker, full and on middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it to the right of the bowler.

Tossed up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it towards short covers.

BEAUTY! Josh Hazlewood lands this on a good length and in that channel outside off, shaping away a bit, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Touch fuller and angling into leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz uses his feet to loft it away but the ball goes off the inside half of the bat and rolls towards mid-wicket.

Short of a length and just outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz offers no shot at it.

On a length and on middle, keeps a bit low, Rahmanullah Gurbaz adjusts well and guides it towards point.

Back of a length and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leaves it alone.

FOUR! Streaky! Josh Hazlewood begins with a hard-length delivery, on middle, nips back in sharply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to play at it but gets an inside edge just past the stumps and to the fine leg fence for a boundary. First runs off the bat!

Josh Hazlewood to operate from the other end.

Flatter, short and on middle, goes in with the arm, Ibrahim Zadran gets cramped up and keeps it out to the off side. 5 runs off the first over but none from the bat!

Flighted, full and on middle, turns away again, Ibrahim Zadran prods out and steers it towards point.

Fires this one full but down the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz fails to work it away and Matthew Wade only manages to parry it to short fine leg. A leg bye is taken.

FOUR BYES! Afghanistan are underway with extras! Tossed up, full and on off, grips and turns away sharply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes down to swipe it away but gets beaten by the turn, Matthew Wade also fails to stop it as it runs down to the third man fence for a boundary.

Quicker, short and outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz cuts it on the bounce to point. For some reason, Matthew Wade thinks that it has carried and starts to celebrate.

A bit of turn! Ashton Agar starts with a floated delivery, short and on middle, turns in sharply with extra bounce, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pats it down to the leg side.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings and it is now time to get the play underway! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of Australia. It will be the usual opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran who are back opening together for Afghanistan in this must-win game. It will be the left-arm orthodox bowler, Ashton Agar who will take the new ball and he is raring to go. Let's play...

We are just a few minutes away from the start of the match but first, it is time for the pre-match proceedings. The two umpires walk out to the middle and are followed by the two sets of players who will line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Australia's national anthem first followed by that of Afghanistan.

PITCH REPORT - Matthew Hayden is pitchside. He says that the weather is perfect and the humidity will come down later. Adds that there is a 22 kmph wind blowing across and says that the square boundaries are 67 and 70 meters while the straight hit is 80 meters. Tom Moddy joins him and says that it looks a bit different as there is a sheen on this wicket. Reckons the ball will come onto the bat nicely and the pacers will get some help as well.

Rashid Khan, the captain of Afghanistan says that to be honest they wanted to bat first and it becomes harder when you chase at this particular venue. Adds that what's done is done and is about the mindset going forward and they need to get the execution correct and make sure they have their own brand of cricket. Mentions that they do like playing against the big teams and it makes them better. Informs that they have made a couple of changes as Nangeyalia Kharote and Karim Janat come in for Najibullah Zadran and Hazratullah Zazai.

The Australian skipper, Mitchell Marsh says that they will bowl first. Adds that they will look to get a nice read of the wicket and use it to their advantage. Mentions that Afghanistan are a strong opposition and they have to be at their best but it is also about enjoying the game. Informs they have made one change as Ashton Agar comes in for Mitchell Starc and says it is based completely on the conditions as it might turn a bit.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (C), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar (In for Mitchell Starc), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat (In for Hazratullah Zazai), Nangeyalia Kharote (In for Najibullah Zadran), Rashid Khan (C), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - A very rare sight - two umpires there for the toss along with the two captains as the assigned match referee for this game, Sir Richie Richardson, is unwell. Jeff Crowe is handed over the duties but he will be available remotely, basically work from home. He will have access to a real time feed of the match and full communication as necessary with the PCT (Playing Control Team), as informed by the ICC. We wish Sir Richie a speedy recovery. Now then, the flip of the coin lands in favor of Australia and they will BOWL first.

Afghanistan started the World Cup with a bang by defeating the Kiwis and initially looked like serious contenders. However, they've lost their momentum, dropping the last two games due to their struggling middle order. Despite this, Rahmanullah Gurbaz remains one of the top five leading run-scorers in the tournament, and Fazalhaq Farooqi leads the bowling charts. However, skipper Rashid Khan will hope that the rest of the team step up to challenge a powerhouse like Australia. The Afghans will undoubtedly remember their heart-wrenching loss in the ODI World Cup, which should give them extra motivation to seek redemption here. Stay tuned for the toss and other updates.

Australia is one of only three teams still unbeaten in the competition. They have excelled in all three facets of the game and, aside from a close match against Scotland, haven't really been tested. Their batting lineup is a powerhouse featuring the likes of David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, and Glenn Maxwell. If one falters, the others step up. The bowling attack has been equally impressive, with Pat Cummins becoming the first bowler in this World Cup to take a hat-trick. With Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood bolstering their attack, getting past them will be a formidable challenge.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of a crucial Super Eight encounter in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Australia faces Afghanistan in a high-stakes match. The Aussies aim to secure their spot in the semifinals, while the Afghans will fight with everything they've got to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

... MATCH DAY ...

Let us go back in time to the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. While defending 291 runs, Afghanistan was on the cusp of history with the Aussies reeling at 91/7. Then, Glenn Maxwell produced a miraculous performance, battling cramps and standing on one leg, to single-handedly guide his side over the line with a magnificent double century, arguably the best ODI knock ever played. Now, these two sides meet again in a crucial encounter in the T20 World Cup. Afghanistan desperately needs a win to keep their hopes alive, while Australia can almost secure their semi-final spot. The Aussies have been excellent and remain unbeaten in the tournament. David Warner has been in vintage form, consistently scoring runs, while Travis Head has the ability to destroy any bowling attack. Marcus Stoinis has arguably been the best all-rounder in the competition so far, and with the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, and Mitchell Marsh adding firepower, their batting lineup is formidable. Australia’s bowling attack is always a threat with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, all in good form. Cummins’ hat-trick in the last game against Bangladesh adds to their confidence. Adam Zampa has been excellent as their lone spinner, with Maxwell and David providing additional options. The Aussies look really formidable, and it will take something special to beat them. Afghanistan, on the other hand, performed brilliantly in the group stages, notably taking down the Kiwis. However, they suffered losses to the Windies in their last group match and India in the Super Eight stage that has halted their momentum. Their opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran has been crucial, but there is an over-reliance on them. The team needs more contributions from Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, and Mohammad Nabi in the middle order to stay alive in the tournament. Their bowling attack, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi, the leading wicket-taker so far, has been exceptional, though they need better support from Naveen-ul-Haq. Skipper Rashid Khan who looked in fine form against India, and Noor Ahmad lead the spin department, with Nabi playing a crucial role as well. They must remember the defeat in the ODI World Cup and will look to avenge it, while the Aussies aim to keep their winning streak intact. With high stakes and both teams set to go hard at each other, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. Which side are you on?