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Australia vs Afghanistan, ICC CWC, 2023 Full score card

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Match 39, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 07 Nov, 2023

Afghanistan

AFG

291/5

(50.0) overs

Australia

AUS

293/7

(46.5) overs

Australia beat Afghanistan by 3 wickets

Player Of The Match

Glenn Maxwell,
Australia
Australia
Summary
Scorecard
Commentary
News
Australia
Afghanistan

Australia • 293/7 (46.5 overs)

G Maxwell 201 (128)

M Marsh 24 (11)

R Khan 2/44 (10)

Naveen 2/47 (9)

Afghanistan • 291/5 (50.0 overs)

I Zadran 129 (143)

R Khan 35 (18)

J Hazlewood 2/39 (9)

G Maxwell 1/55 (10)

Commentary

Right then, that's all from this unbelievable game where we saw one of, if not the greatest, ODI innings from Glenn Maxwell. Australia have become the third team to book a place in the semi-finals, and now the race amongst other teams will be for that remaining final spot. The action in the 2023 ODI World Cup continues on Wednesday, November 8 when England take on the Netherlands in Pune. The first ball will be bowled at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT), but our build-up will begin much sooner. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The skipper of Australia, Pat Cummins says that he has no words to describe this win. He says that Glenn Maxwell was just great. He was calm and he always had a plan as they were almost 200 behind and managed to win it from there. Says that Maxwell just wanted to stay and he proved that the game can be won from anywhere. Adds that it feels good to be in the semi-finals. Ends by saying that the toss is a bit tricky and the first 20 overs were the key.

Afghanistan's skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi says that they are very much disappointed and cricket is certainly a funny game. Adds that Glenn Maxwell was incredible in the kind of shows he played. He says that the drop catch was the key point and after that he gave no chance to their bowlers. Reckons that the team will be disappointed but its a part of the game and they will come back stronger in their next game against South Africa. Ends by saying that he is proud of Ibrahim Zadran that he is the first player to get a ton in the World Cup.

Glenn Maxwell is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his inexplicable knock of 201 runs from 128 balls. He says that it was hot while fielding and it was a good match. He says he was positive and thought that putting some pressure would help the innings. Mentions that the overturned LBW call was his wake-up call. Shares that the ball was nipping around and was gripping well for spinners. He adds that he is proud of the team for playing well and to come back and win 6 in a row is a great effort.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after Hashmatullah Shahidi called it right and opted to put runs on the board, it was a watchful start from the two Afghan openers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed early, but his opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, stood firm and forged partnerships, first with Rahmat Shah and then with Hashmatullah Shahidi. In the middle phase, they were not able to accelerate in a fashion they would have liked but did not lose their way either by losing a flurry of wickets. Ibrahim carried on and became the first batter to score a hundred for Afghanistan in ODI World Cups. He accelerated after reaching his milestone and found good support from Rashid Khan, who was at his explosive best. Both remained unbeaten and powered Afghanistan to their highest-ever World Cup total of 291. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with a couple of wickets while Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa accounted for a wicket each.

Having finished strongly with the bat, Afghanistan certainly took that momentum into their bowling effort. Brought into the side for this game, Naveen-ul-Haq created an instant impact with a wicket in his first over. Hashmatullah Shahidi quickly understood the help the pacers were getting and brought on pace from both ends. It worked like a charm as Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq combined together to put Australia in all sorts of trouble. Rashid Khan then struck off successive overs and at that stage, Afghanistan had victory in their sights. However, complacency crept in and the error by Mujeeb Ur Rahman to drop Glenn Maxwell when he was on 33, did not do them any favours. As Glenn Maxwell began his onslaught, the Afghan bowlers lost their lines and lengths and they soon ran out of options to get rid of him. Hashmatullah Shahidi kept ringing in changes but they simply had no answers to the brilliance of Glenn Maxwell. Afghanistan will be right now feeling that cricket is a cruel game but they will have to pick themselves up quickly to have a shot at making it to the semis.

In their pursuit of 292, Australia were rocked early as they lost Travis Head for a duck. Mitchell Marsh and David Warner tried to be proactive and lost their wicket in the process. It soon went from bad to worse for Australia as a late response from Marnus Labuschange led to him being caught short of his crease. It was a virtual procession post that and Australia found themselves crumbling at 91-7. Glenn Maxwell then began the rescue act with skipper Pat Cummins with the former doing the heavy lifting during the partnership. Maxwell targetted the slower bowlers and by doing so, he was able to find boundaries at will on his way to his second hundred of this World Cup. He soon began to struggle with cramps and batted the second half of his innings with one leg. As a result, ones and twos became hard to come by but Maxwell held his composure throughout to find boundaries every now and then. Even though Pat Cummins contributed just 12 runs in the 202-run stand, he was more than an able alley. Glenn Maxwell soon went into overdrive and there was no stopping him as he unleashed his way to a double hundred to get Australia over the line out of nowhere. This is now the highest-ever score for a batter while chasing in ODIs and the highest individual score for Australia in ODI cricket.

GLENN MAXWELL HAS PULLED OFF A HEIST FOR AUSTRALIA! A knock for the ages from the 'Big Show' has helped Australia rise from the ashes to seal a spot in the semi-final of the ODI World Cup. At 91-7, Australia looked dead and buried but Glenn Maxwell stepped up to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. As for Afghanistan, it will be a bitter pill to swallow and they have been handed a defeat that is bound to give them sleepless nights.

46.56

SIX! UNBELIEVABLE! ASTONISHING! This has been an incredible run chase and Glenn Maxwell deserves all the credit for it. Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes a bit full and on off. Glenn Maxwell lofts it in the air and he gets a clean hold of it. The ball clears the fence and goes into the stands. What a shot, what an innings and what a partnership. The Australian dressing room goes bonkers, the crowd is standing on its feet, and Maxwell has his arms raised in triumph - a double century for him, the first man to do it while chasing in this format! Take a bow! Australia win by 3 wickets and have nailed their spot in the semis.

46.44

FOUR MORE! Mujeeb Ur Rahman with another short ball outside off. Glenn Maxwell just reaches for it and hits it in the gap perfectly for four more runs. One shot away from a win and a double century.

46.36

SIX! AGAIN! Mujeeb Ur Rahman drops it short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell stands tall and slaps it with a flat bat sending the ball over long on for another maximum.

46.26

SIX! Gets it this time! Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes fuller and on off. Glenn Maxwell gets underneath it and muscles it over deep mid-wicket and into the stands for a biggie.

46.10

Short and over off. Glenn Maxwell pulls hard but misses the perfect connection.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 46 overs : 271/7

G Maxwell179 (123)

P Cummins12 (68)

R Khan10-0-44-2

45.61

Good batting! Rashid Khan goes full and on off. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single as Glenn Maxwell will keep strike next over. A good spell from Rashid Khan.

45.50

Floated up on leg. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away to the fielder at mid-wicket.

45.40

Very full on the toes. Glenn Maxwell pushes it to the right of Rashid Khan.

45.31

Floated up on middle. Pat Cummins drives it back to the bowler but he fails to collect it. They take a single.

45.20

Tossed up on off. Pat Cummins drives it to the fielder at cover.

45.21wd

Errs in line. He bowls it fuller but way down leg. The umpire signals a wide.

45.11

Rashid Khan goes short and on off. Glenn Maxwell nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get off strike.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 45 overs : 267/7

G Maxwell177 (119)

P Cummins11 (66)

Naveen9-0-47-2

44.61

Oh...just wide! Naveen-ul-Haq hurls it on a fullish length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell shapes to work this one on the leg side but closes the bat face early. He gets a leading edge that goes agonizingly wide of the diving Naveen-ul-Haq to his left for a single.

44.50

Goes full and on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell shows the full face of his bat and pushes it down to long on.

44.40

Swing and a miss! Cleverly rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Glenn Maxwell swings to pull it away but goes through his shot a bit early as the ball sneaks under his bat and over the stumps.

44.30

Bowls this one fuller and with some pace behind it, on the pads, Glenn Maxwell just has to get some bat on it but he fails to help it away and gets hit on the thigh.

44.20

Fullish delivery, at the stumps, Glenn Maxwell drills it down to long on and denies the single.

44.16

SIX! Extraordinary hitting! Naveen-ul-Haq angles it into the right-hander, on a length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell picks the length early and swings with the angle. He deposits it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 44 overs : 260/7

G Maxwell170 (113)

P Cummins11 (66)

A Omarzai7-1-52-2

43.61

Pace on now and shorter, over middle, Glenn Maxwell waits for the ball to arrive and calmly helps it towards deep backward square leg. He decides to take the single which catches Afghanistan by surprise.

43.50

Slower and into the deck, on off, Glenn Maxwell goes for the pull again but he mistimes his shot towards deep square leg for a dot.

43.44

FOUR! In the gap! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs it in short, at the batter, Glenn Maxwell waits back in his crease and nails the pull between deep mid-wicket and long on for four more runs.

Commentary

We are back for the chase. The umpires are on the field and the fielders have taken their position on the field after discussing last-minute plans. David Warner and Travis Head will open the batting innings. Spin is introduced at the beginning as Mujeeb Ur Rahman will have the new ball in hand. Let the chase begin...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Australia, on the other hand, grappled with the challenge of breaking the Afghan partnership in the middle overs, allowing Afghanistan to dominate the closing stages. Adam Zampa, who has been in formidable form for the Australians, could only secure a solitary wicket during this phase, thwarting their game plan. While Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood maintained their precision, the Afghan batters denied them any opportunity to regain control. Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets, with Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa each chipping in with one wicket. The focus now shifts to Australia's innings under the lights as they set out to chase down the formidable target posted by Afghanistan. The stage is set for an enthralling showdown, as cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate whether Australia can clinch victory or if Afghanistan will once again defy expectations and secure a spot in the coveted top four of the tournament standings. The live-action awaits, and the answer will soon be revealed.

Ibrahim Zadran, the first-ever centurion for Afghanistan in World Cups is up for a chat. He says that he is very happy to achieve this special feat. Adds that against Pakistan, he missed out on his hundred and was desperately looking to score and he also had chats with his coaches and felt that there was a century around the corner. Tells that the ball is coming nicely on the bat and there target was something around 290 but if they had wickets in hand then they would have looked for 330. Praises Rashid Khan for his blinder of a knock in the end. Says that they have a good bowling attack but they need to execute their plans and bowl well. Mentions that the runs are on the board, half the job is done and now they have to field well. Ends by saying that he had a good chat with Sachin Tendulkar and is very thankful to him for sharing his experience and which also helped him score the hundred in this game.

The Afghan innings began on a promising note, with both openers displaying excellent form. The early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz's wicket in the eighth over, however, shifted the onus onto Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah to stabilize the innings. Together, they crafted a vital partnership of 83 runs, providing Afghanistan with a solid foundation. Rahmat Shah's departure marked a crucial moment in the innings, making way for Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi to partner with Ibrahim Zadran. The duo managed to amass an additional 50 runs before Hashmatullah Shahidi succumbed to an impeccable yorker delivered by Mitchell Starc. Ibrahim Zadran then went on to score an exceptional century which became the highlight of the innings, rendering him the first Afghan batter to register a World Cup ton. In the final overs, Ibrahim Zadran, alongside the dynamic Rashid Khan, accelerated the scoring, dispatching the Australian bowlers for colossal sixes and contributing 58 valuable runs in the last five overs of the innings. Ibrahim Zadran went not out at 129 and Rashid Khan scored a brilliant 35 off just 18 balls to take Afghanistan to 291.

The culmination of the first innings in this thrilling encounter between Australia and Afghanistan has set the stage for a riveting contest. Afghanistan's captain won the toss and opted to make first use of a pristine batting track at the illustrious Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Afghan side delivered a stellar batting performance, accumulating an imposing total of 291 while losing just five wickets throughout their allocated 50 overs, ultimately setting the Australians a challenging target of 292 to chase. This remarkable feat now stands as Afghanistan's highest-ever World Cup score, marking a historic moment for their cricketing journey.

Runs Scored 16 Runs

Score after 50 overs : 291/5

R Khan35 (18)

I Zadran129 (143)

M Starc9-0-70-1

49.60

An anti-climatic end to the innings! 16 runs off the over but nothing from the last ball. Mitchell Starc bowls another wide yorker, well outside off, Rashid Khan moves across a bit and throws his bat at it but fails to reach it. The umpire signals nothing and Rashid Khan cannot believe it is not given as a wide. Afghanistan finishes on 291/6!

49.56

SIX! Oh, my word! Rashid Khan at his best! Mitchell Starc once again bangs this one into the pitch and around middle, Rashid Khan goes down and takes his eyes off the ball but still manages to slap it over the deep square leg fence for another maximum.

49.40

Rashid Khan misses out there!  Mitchell Starc looks to go for the wide yorker but serves a low full toss, outside off, Rashid Khan slashes hard at it but fails to connect.

49.36

SIX! Wow..this is a tennis shot! Mitchell Starc once again lands this short of a length and around off, Rashid Khan stays in his crease and absolutely swats it over the long off fence for a biggie. It looked like a cross-court smash from Rashid! That also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

49.20

Back of a length and on middle, slower too, Rashid Khan forces it towards long on but denies the run.

49.14

FOUR! A streaky boundary but Afghanistan won't mind it at all! Mitchell Starc starts the last over with a high full toss, on off, Rashid Khan looks to swipe it across the line but gets an outside edge over short third man for four more runs.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 49 overs : 275/5

I Zadran129 (143)

R Khan19 (12)

P Cummins8-0-47-0

48.62

Short of a length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran pulls it wide of deep square leg for a couple of more runs. 14 runs off the over!

48.61wd

Another slower bouncer but this time down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran leaves it alone. Wided.

48.54

FOUR! A boundary now! Pat Cummins tries the yorker but misses and bowls a low full toss, Ibrahim Zadran quickly punches on it and thrashes it through extra covers for four more runs. Excellent batting from Zadran!

48.46

SIX! Ibrahim Zadran connects this time alright! Pat Cummins serves this one full and around middle this time, in the slot, Ibrahim Zadran clears his front leg away and dispatches it well wide and over the long on fence for a biggie.

48.30

Another dot! This is another slower delivery, full and oj off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to slog it across the line but gets an outside edge as the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

48.21

Back of a length and outside off, Rashid Khan has to reach for it and slaps it wide of sweeper covers for a single.

48.10

Pat Cummins rolls his wrists and bangs in a slower bouncer, outside off, Rashid Khan leaves it alone thinking it will be a wide. However, the umpires signals nothing.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 48 overs : 261/5

I Zadran117 (139)

R Khan18 (10)

M Starc8-0-54-1

47.60

Overpitched and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drills it straight to extra covers.

47.51

DROPPED! A fine effort though in the deep! Mitchell Starc bangs in a slower bouncer, outside off, Rashid Khan looks to slap it away but mistimes it in the air towards sweeper covers where Marcus Stoinis runs forward but fails to judge it and has to dive forward in the end to take the catch. The umpires sends it upstairs to check if it clean or not. After a lot of replays from different angles we can see that the ball has bounce on the ground and Stoinis does not have fingers underneath it at that time. The screen shows Not Out, and one run added to the total.

47.40

A good shot but for no run! This is pitched up and outside off, Rashid Khan backs away and drills it very hard along the ground but straight to extra covers.

47.31

Takes pace off, short of a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran steers it towards third man for a run.

47.26

SIX! Up, up and away! Mitchell Marsh serves this full but angling into the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran picks it up off his pads and whips it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. Pure timing from Zadran!

47.11

A full toss, on middle, Rashid Khan lofts it wide of long off for a single.

Runs Scored 16 Runs

Score after 47 overs : 252/5

R Khan16 (7)

I Zadran110 (136)

G Maxwell10-0-55-1

46.61

This is short again and on middle, Rashid Khan moves back and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for just one. Maxi gets away with it!

46.63nb

Nicely played by Rashid Khan! Maxwell darts this one full and around leg, Rashid Khan closes the face of the bat and clips it between his own legs wide of fine leg for a brace. Oh..no! It is called a No Ball for overstepping. Free Hit coming up...

46.54

FOUR! Excellent shot! Glenn Maxwell sees the batter advance and serves this short and well outside off, Rashid Khan also is one step ahead and throws his bat at it to carve it over covers for a boundary.

46.41

Another short delivery, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

46.30

Quicker, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it straight back to the bowler.

Australia
Afghanistan
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
D Warner

b A Omarzai

18 29 3 0 62.06
T Head

c I Alikhil b Naveen

0 2 0 0 0
M Marsh

lbw b Naveen

24 11 2 2 218.18
M Labuschagne

run out (R Shah)

14 28 2 0 50
J Inglis

c I Zadran b A Omarzai

0 1 0 0 0
G Maxwell

not out

201 128 21 10 157.03
M Stoinis

lbw b R Khan

6 7 1 0 85.71
M Starc

c I Alikhil b R Khan

3 7 0 0 42.85
P Cummins

not out

12 68 1 0 17.64
Extras

(b 4,lb 1,w 10,nb 0,Penalty 0)

15
Total 46.5 (RR: 6.26)
293/7

Did not bat: A Zampa, J Hazlewood

Fall of wickets:

(T Head, 1.2 ov) (M Marsh, 5.4 ov) (D Warner, 8.1 ov) (J Inglis, 8.2 ov) (M Labuschagne, 14.1 ov) (M Stoinis, 16.4 ov) (M Starc, 18.3 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
Ur Rahman
8.5 1 72 0 8.15
Naveen
9 0 47 2 5.22
A Omarzai
7 1 52 2 7.42
R Khan
10 0 44 2 4.40
N Ahmad
10 1 53 0 5.30
M Nabi
2 0 20 0 10.00
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
R Gurbaz

c M Starc b J Hazlewood

21 25 2 0 84
I Zadran

not out

129 143 8 3 90.20
R Shah

c J Hazlewood b G Maxwell

30 44 1 0 68.18
H Shahidi

b M Starc

26 43 2 0 60.46
A Omarzai

c G Maxwell b A Zampa

22 18 1 2 122.22
M Nabi

b J Hazlewood

12 10 0 1 120
R Khan

not out

35 18 2 3 194.44
Extras

(b 0,lb 5,w 10,nb 1,Penalty 0)

16
Total 50.0 (RR: 5.82)
291/5

Did not bat: I Alikhil, Ur Rahman, N Ahmad, Naveen

Fall of wickets:

(R Gurbaz, 8 ov) (R Shah, 24.4 ov) (H Shahidi, 37.2 ov) (A Omarzai, 42.3 ov) (M Nabi, 45.3 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
M Starc
9 0 70 1 7.77
J Hazlewood
9 0 39 2 4.33
G Maxwell
10 0 55 1 5.50
P Cummins
8 0 47 0 5.87
A Zampa
10 0 58 1 5.80
T Head
3 0 15 0 5.00
M Stoinis
1 0 2 0 2.00
Australia
Afghanistan

Commentary

Right then, that's all from this unbelievable game where we saw one of, if not the greatest, ODI innings from Glenn Maxwell. Australia have become the third team to book a place in the semi-finals, and now the race amongst other teams will be for that remaining final spot. The action in the 2023 ODI World Cup continues on Wednesday, November 8 when England take on the Netherlands in Pune. The first ball will be bowled at 2 pm IST (8.30 am GMT), but our build-up will begin much sooner. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The skipper of Australia, Pat Cummins says that he has no words to describe this win. He says that Glenn Maxwell was just great. He was calm and he always had a plan as they were almost 200 behind and managed to win it from there. Says that Maxwell just wanted to stay and he proved that the game can be won from anywhere. Adds that it feels good to be in the semi-finals. Ends by saying that the toss is a bit tricky and the first 20 overs were the key.

Afghanistan's skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi says that they are very much disappointed and cricket is certainly a funny game. Adds that Glenn Maxwell was incredible in the kind of shows he played. He says that the drop catch was the key point and after that he gave no chance to their bowlers. Reckons that the team will be disappointed but its a part of the game and they will come back stronger in their next game against South Africa. Ends by saying that he is proud of Ibrahim Zadran that he is the first player to get a ton in the World Cup.

Glenn Maxwell is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his inexplicable knock of 201 runs from 128 balls. He says that it was hot while fielding and it was a good match. He says he was positive and thought that putting some pressure would help the innings. Mentions that the overturned LBW call was his wake-up call. Shares that the ball was nipping around and was gripping well for spinners. He adds that he is proud of the team for playing well and to come back and win 6 in a row is a great effort.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier in the game, after Hashmatullah Shahidi called it right and opted to put runs on the board, it was a watchful start from the two Afghan openers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departed early, but his opening partner, Ibrahim Zadran, stood firm and forged partnerships, first with Rahmat Shah and then with Hashmatullah Shahidi. In the middle phase, they were not able to accelerate in a fashion they would have liked but did not lose their way either by losing a flurry of wickets. Ibrahim carried on and became the first batter to score a hundred for Afghanistan in ODI World Cups. He accelerated after reaching his milestone and found good support from Rashid Khan, who was at his explosive best. Both remained unbeaten and powered Afghanistan to their highest-ever World Cup total of 291. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with a couple of wickets while Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa accounted for a wicket each.

Having finished strongly with the bat, Afghanistan certainly took that momentum into their bowling effort. Brought into the side for this game, Naveen-ul-Haq created an instant impact with a wicket in his first over. Hashmatullah Shahidi quickly understood the help the pacers were getting and brought on pace from both ends. It worked like a charm as Azmatullah Omarzai and Naveen-ul-Haq combined together to put Australia in all sorts of trouble. Rashid Khan then struck off successive overs and at that stage, Afghanistan had victory in their sights. However, complacency crept in and the error by Mujeeb Ur Rahman to drop Glenn Maxwell when he was on 33, did not do them any favours. As Glenn Maxwell began his onslaught, the Afghan bowlers lost their lines and lengths and they soon ran out of options to get rid of him. Hashmatullah Shahidi kept ringing in changes but they simply had no answers to the brilliance of Glenn Maxwell. Afghanistan will be right now feeling that cricket is a cruel game but they will have to pick themselves up quickly to have a shot at making it to the semis.

In their pursuit of 292, Australia were rocked early as they lost Travis Head for a duck. Mitchell Marsh and David Warner tried to be proactive and lost their wicket in the process. It soon went from bad to worse for Australia as a late response from Marnus Labuschange led to him being caught short of his crease. It was a virtual procession post that and Australia found themselves crumbling at 91-7. Glenn Maxwell then began the rescue act with skipper Pat Cummins with the former doing the heavy lifting during the partnership. Maxwell targetted the slower bowlers and by doing so, he was able to find boundaries at will on his way to his second hundred of this World Cup. He soon began to struggle with cramps and batted the second half of his innings with one leg. As a result, ones and twos became hard to come by but Maxwell held his composure throughout to find boundaries every now and then. Even though Pat Cummins contributed just 12 runs in the 202-run stand, he was more than an able alley. Glenn Maxwell soon went into overdrive and there was no stopping him as he unleashed his way to a double hundred to get Australia over the line out of nowhere. This is now the highest-ever score for a batter while chasing in ODIs and the highest individual score for Australia in ODI cricket.

GLENN MAXWELL HAS PULLED OFF A HEIST FOR AUSTRALIA! A knock for the ages from the 'Big Show' has helped Australia rise from the ashes to seal a spot in the semi-final of the ODI World Cup. At 91-7, Australia looked dead and buried but Glenn Maxwell stepped up to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. As for Afghanistan, it will be a bitter pill to swallow and they have been handed a defeat that is bound to give them sleepless nights.

46.56

SIX! UNBELIEVABLE! ASTONISHING! This has been an incredible run chase and Glenn Maxwell deserves all the credit for it. Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes a bit full and on off. Glenn Maxwell lofts it in the air and he gets a clean hold of it. The ball clears the fence and goes into the stands. What a shot, what an innings and what a partnership. The Australian dressing room goes bonkers, the crowd is standing on its feet, and Maxwell has his arms raised in triumph - a double century for him, the first man to do it while chasing in this format! Take a bow! Australia win by 3 wickets and have nailed their spot in the semis.

46.44

FOUR MORE! Mujeeb Ur Rahman with another short ball outside off. Glenn Maxwell just reaches for it and hits it in the gap perfectly for four more runs. One shot away from a win and a double century.

46.36

SIX! AGAIN! Mujeeb Ur Rahman drops it short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell stands tall and slaps it with a flat bat sending the ball over long on for another maximum.

46.26

SIX! Gets it this time! Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes fuller and on off. Glenn Maxwell gets underneath it and muscles it over deep mid-wicket and into the stands for a biggie.

46.10

Short and over off. Glenn Maxwell pulls hard but misses the perfect connection.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 46 overs : 271/7

G Maxwell179 (123)

P Cummins12 (68)

R Khan10-0-44-2

45.61

Good batting! Rashid Khan goes full and on off. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away to deep mid-wicket for a single as Glenn Maxwell will keep strike next over. A good spell from Rashid Khan.

45.50

Floated up on leg. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away to the fielder at mid-wicket.

45.40

Very full on the toes. Glenn Maxwell pushes it to the right of Rashid Khan.

45.31

Floated up on middle. Pat Cummins drives it back to the bowler but he fails to collect it. They take a single.

45.20

Tossed up on off. Pat Cummins drives it to the fielder at cover.

45.21wd

Errs in line. He bowls it fuller but way down leg. The umpire signals a wide.

45.11

Rashid Khan goes short and on off. Glenn Maxwell nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get off strike.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 45 overs : 267/7

G Maxwell177 (119)

P Cummins11 (66)

Naveen9-0-47-2

44.61

Oh...just wide! Naveen-ul-Haq hurls it on a fullish length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell shapes to work this one on the leg side but closes the bat face early. He gets a leading edge that goes agonizingly wide of the diving Naveen-ul-Haq to his left for a single.

44.50

Goes full and on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell shows the full face of his bat and pushes it down to long on.

44.40

Swing and a miss! Cleverly rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a back of a length, over middle, Glenn Maxwell swings to pull it away but goes through his shot a bit early as the ball sneaks under his bat and over the stumps.

44.30

Bowls this one fuller and with some pace behind it, on the pads, Glenn Maxwell just has to get some bat on it but he fails to help it away and gets hit on the thigh.

44.20

Fullish delivery, at the stumps, Glenn Maxwell drills it down to long on and denies the single.

44.16

SIX! Extraordinary hitting! Naveen-ul-Haq angles it into the right-hander, on a length, on middle, Glenn Maxwell picks the length early and swings with the angle. He deposits it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 44 overs : 260/7

G Maxwell170 (113)

P Cummins11 (66)

A Omarzai7-1-52-2

43.61

Pace on now and shorter, over middle, Glenn Maxwell waits for the ball to arrive and calmly helps it towards deep backward square leg. He decides to take the single which catches Afghanistan by surprise.

43.50

Slower and into the deck, on off, Glenn Maxwell goes for the pull again but he mistimes his shot towards deep square leg for a dot.

43.44

FOUR! In the gap! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs it in short, at the batter, Glenn Maxwell waits back in his crease and nails the pull between deep mid-wicket and long on for four more runs.

43.36

SIX! Glenn Maxwell, how do you manage to do it? Slower and a bit fuller, outside off, Glenn Maxwell pulls out the reverse hit and executes it to perfection. Clears the third man fence for a maximum.

43.20

At the stumps again, fuller in length, Glenn Maxwell swats it hard towards deep square leg and refuses the single again.

43.14

FOUR! Another streaky boundary! Angling in, on a length, at the batter, Glenn Maxwell stays still and goes for a heave across the line. He gets an inside edge as the ball races to the left of short fine leg for a boundary.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 43 overs : 245/7

P Cummins11 (66)

G Maxwell155 (107)

N Ahmad10-1-53-0

42.60

Fuller in length from over the wicket, on off, Pat Cummins reaches out in front and keeps it out on the off side. A maiden from Noor Ahmad!

42.50

Bowls it short and outside off, Pat Cummins uses the depth of the crease to punch it towards extra cover.

42.40

Short and turning into the pads, Pat Cummins tucks it off the back foot to square leg for a dot.

42.30

Drags the length back and bowls it short, outside off, Pat Cummins slaps it hard towards deep point but they do not run a single again.

42.20

Offers flight, full and on the pads, Pat Cummins nudges it away in front of square on the leg side.

42.10

Beaten! Slower and shorter, outside off, Pat Cummins has a waft away from the body and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 42 overs : 245/7

G Maxwell155 (107)

P Cummins11 (60)

A Omarzai6-1-37-2

41.60

Goes full and straight, at the stumps, Glenn Maxwell digs it out down the ground to long on and denies the single again.

41.54

FOUR! The boundaries continue to flow! Fuller in length, just outside off, Glenn Maxwell tries the reverse scoop again but this time he gets this one out off the toe end. The ball races away wide of the keeper and into the third man fence for four more runs.

41.40

Short of a length, outside off, Glenn Maxwell tries to hammer this one through the off side but connects with thin air.

41.34

FOUR! Stand and deliver and that will be 150 for Glenn Maxwell! Pace on, at the stumps, on a length, Glenn Maxwell winds up and hammers it flat and wide of Rahmanullah Gurbaz at long on for four more runs. He is continuing his onslaught despite struggling with cramps.

41.20

Slower, on a good length, outside off, Glenn Maxwell goes for the reverse hit but misses out on the connection.

41.10

Angling in, on a length from around the wicket, on middle, Glenn Maxwell stays leg side of the ball and swipes it towards wide long on and refuses the single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 41 overs : 237/7

P Cummins11 (60)

G Maxwell147 (101)

N Ahmad9-0-53-0

40.60

Slower through the air, short and on off, Pat Cummins waits for the ball to arrive and pushes it away towards point.

40.50

Fuller this time, on middle, Pat Cummins prods forward and defends it on the leg side.

40.40

Beaten! Drops it short and turning away, slower on off, Pat Cummins stays back in his crease to block this one out but the ball spins away to beat the outside edge.

40.30

Tosses it up, full and outside off, Pat Cummins leans on and defends it out off the outer half of the bat towards backward point.

Halt!

Halt. Glenn Maxwell seems to be in a lot of discomfort and he is lying there on the ground. The physios are out there and the umpires are talking to them. Looks like Glenn Maxwell will continue for now but he is in serious pain.

40.21

Oh, dear! Glenn Maxwell is in some serious discomfort! Noor Ahmad keeps it short, around off, Glenn Maxwell punches it from the crease towards long off and limps his way to the other end. He somehow manages to complete his run and immediately lays down on his back after completing the run.

40.14

FOUR! Woah, pure timing! Noor Ahmad dishes it out short and on off, Glenn Maxwell hangs back and stays leg side of the ball. He punches it sweetly off the middle of the bat and it beats the long off fielder to his left for a boundary.

Powerplay 3! Afghanistan can now have 5 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the end of the innings. Noor Ahmad (8-0-48-0) is brought back into the attack.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 40 overs : 232/7

P Cummins11 (56)

G Maxwell142 (99)

Naveen8-0-40-2

39.60

Short and on off. Pat Cummins guides it to thrid man and refuses a single. A dot ball to end the over.

39.50

On the hard length and on middle. Pat Cummins does his job well and defends solidly.

39.41

On length and on leg. Glenn Maxwell nudges it away to deep mid-wicket and limps away for a single.

39.34

FOUR AGAIN! Naveen-ul-Haq goes full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell hits hit hard and hits it straight. The ball races away to the fence for another four. What a shot!

39.24

FOUR! Naveen-ul-Haq goes short and on leg. Glenn Maxwell stands back and flicks it away in the gap at square leg for a much needed boundary.

39.10

Fuller and on middle. Glenn Maxwell hacks it to long on but doesn't take a single.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 39 overs : 223/7

P Cummins11 (54)

G Maxwell133 (95)

R Khan9-0-40-2

38.60

Floated up on leg. Pat Cummins defends it sending the ball back to the bowler.

38.50

Tossed up on middle. Pat Cummins nudges it away to short fine leg.

38.40

Uppish and on middle. Pat Cummins blocks it on the leg side.

38.30

Fullish and on off. Pat Cummins guides it to point but is sent back by Glenn Maxwell as he tries to take a single.

38.21

Tossed up on off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to point and limps away for a single.

38.16

SIX! UP UP AND AWAY! Rashid Khan goes full and on leg. Glenn Maxwell has played it on one leg as he muscles it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. He loses his balance after the shot but has got the big runs.

Halt! The struggling Glenn Maxwell is down on his haunches and the physio is out again to attend him. He is back up on his feet and ready to go.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 38 overs : 216/7

P Cummins11 (50)

G Maxwell126 (93)

Naveen7-0-31-2

37.60

Beaten! Naveen-ul-Haq goes full and outside off. Pat Cummins tries to be aggressive and swings hard. He is beaten by the pace. A good over for Afghanistan comes to an end. They will need more of those.

37.50

A good yorker on middle. Pat Cummins digs it out well to the bowler. Another dot ball.

37.51wd

Errs in line. Naveen-ul-Haq bowls this full but way down leg. The keeper collects it well as the umpire signals a wide.

37.40

Slow and full on middle. Pat Cummins blocks it as the ball rolls to mid on. Glenn Maxwell looks to be in discomfort.

37.30

Full and on off. Pat Cummins times the drive well but straight to the fielder at point.

37.21

Short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

37.10

Full and on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it to cover and refuses a single.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 37 overs : 214/7

G Maxwell125 (91)

P Cummins11 (46)

R Khan8-0-33-2

36.61

Fullish and on middle. Glenn Maxwell nudges it to mid-wicket and hobbles away to the other side for a run.

36.51

Tossed up and outside off. Pat Cummins drives it to long off for a single.

36.40

Shortish and just outside off. Pat Cummins plays it with the turn on the off side.

36.30

Full again on off. Pat Cummins drives it to mid off.

36.20

Tossed up and on off. Pat Cummins blocks it on the off side safely.

36.11

Short and on leg. Glenn Maxwell nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 211/7

P Cummins10 (42)

G Maxwell123 (89)

M Nabi2-0-20-0

35.60

Uppish and outside off. Pat Cummins blocks it safely on the off side.

35.50

Fullish and on off. Pat Cummins sends it back to the bowler.

35.41

Shortish and on off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to deep point for a single.

35.36

SIX! UP UP AND AWAY! Mohammad Nabi drops it a bit short and on middle. Glenn Maxwell shifts and smacks it over deep mid-wicket all the way beyond the fence for a biggie.

35.24

FOUR! What a shot! Mohammad Nabi bowls it full and on leg. Glenn Maxwell gets creative and he scoops it over short fine leg. The ball races away to the fence for a boundary.

35.10

Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 35 overs : 200/7

G Maxwell112 (85)

P Cummins10 (40)

Naveen6-0-29-2

34.61

Fuller and way outside off. Glenn Maxwell just guides it towards point for a single to end the over and keep the strike.

34.51

A full toss on leg. Pat Cummins deflects it off to deep square leg for a run.

34.41

Short again, slower and outside off. Glenn Maxwell pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

34.31

On the good length and outside off. Pat Cummins drives it to deep point for one more run to get Maxwell on strike.

34.21

Short again this time over middle. Glenn Maxwell pulls it towards deep square leg for a single. Good fielding from Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

34.10

Naveen-ul-Haq bowls it on length and on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it to mid on where the fielder collects it.

Halt! Glenn Maxwell is experiencing discomfort in his lower back. The physio is out to treat him. Maxwell is back on his feet and we are all set to resume. Also, time for some pace as Naveen-ul-Haq (5-0-24-2) comes back into the attack.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 34 overs : 195/7

P Cummins8 (38)

G Maxwell109 (81)

M Nabi1-0-9-0

33.60

Tossed up outside off. Pat Cummins defends it well to end the over.

33.51

Fuller and on middle. Glenn Maxwell walks down and drives it to long on for a single.

33.40

Shortish again this time on the pads. Glenn Maxwell pats it down on the leg side.

33.30

Short and slower on off. Glenn Maxwell mistimes his shot and gets a bottom edge.

33.24

FOUR AGAIN! Mohammad Nabi replicates the previous ball. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and slaps it again through covers. The ball races away to the fence for another boundary.

A halt in play as one of the advertisement boards behind the bowler's arm is causing a bit of an issue. It has been sorted and we are all good to go now.

33.14

FOUR! What a way to start the over! Mohammad Nabi goes full and on off. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and slaps it through the gap at cover. The ball races away for a boundary. A fine shot by an extraordinary batter.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 33 overs : 186/7

P Cummins8 (37)

G Maxwell100 (76)

N Ahmad8-0-48-0

32.60

A dot to end the over! Noor Ahmad tosses this up and outside off. Pat Cummins shoulders arms this one and leaves it for the keeper to collect.

32.50

Noor Ahmad is bowling well here. He goes full and turns the ball outside off. Pat Cummins misjudged it as he tried to defend it.

32.40

Beaten! Noor Ahmad goes a bit fuller but on the same line. Pat Cummins is again beaten looking to cut it away.

32.30

Short and outside off. Pat Cummins tries to slice it but is beaten by the turn.

32.21

CENTURY FOR Glenn Maxwell! Noor Ahmad goes short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell slices it to deep point for a single to reach a fine hundred under pressure. One of the best innings of this tournament.

32.12

Short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to deep cover and a misfield allows him to come back for a couple of runs. He is on 99 now.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 32 overs : 183/7

P Cummins8 (33)

G Maxwell97 (74)

Ur Rahman8-1-50-0

31.60

Fuller and on middle. Pat Cummins does his job well and defends it solidly.

31.51

Uppish and on middle. Glenn Maxwell slices it to deep cover for a single.

31.46

SIX! UP UP AND AWAY! Mujeeb Ur Rahman comes out with the same ball and this time Glenn Maxwell stands back and launches it straight into the stands for a biggie. What a shot from Glenn Maxwell!

31.34

FOUR! Shot! Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell was ready for it as he creates room and muscles it over the bowler's head for another boundary.

31.20

Short and on leg. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to the fielder at cover.

31.10

Full and on leg. Glenn Maxwell misses out on his sweep shot as the ball hits the toes.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 31 overs : 172/7

P Cummins8 (32)

G Maxwell86 (69)

N Ahmad7-0-45-0

30.60

Tossed up on off. Pat Cummins defends it solidly for a dot to end the over.

30.50

Beaten! Noor Ahmad goes full and outside off. Pat Cummins is again beaten by the turn.

30.41

Floated up on off. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and cuts it to deep point for one more.

30.31

Full again this time on middle. Pat Cummins blocks it out on the off side and takes a single.

30.20

Beaten! Noor Ahmad tossed this up and outside off. Pat Cummins tries to block it out but is beaten by the turn.

30.11

Full and outside off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to deep point for a single to begin the over.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 30 overs : 169/7

G Maxwell84 (67)

P Cummins7 (28)

Ur Rahman7-1-39-0

29.61

11 runs off the over! Floated up, on off, Glenn Maxwell gets forward and drops it with soft hands in front of cover for a single to keep the strike. Good last couple of overs for Australia.

29.52

Keeps it short, on middle, Glenn Maxwell gets hurried on the pull as he half-pulls it to the right of long off for two more runs.

29.42

Good running again! Short and at the stumps, Glenn Maxwell uses the depth of the crease and pats it gently in front of wide long off. He calls for two immediately and Pat Cummins puts in the dive at the non-striker's end. Naveen-ul-Haq misses the shy but it would not have mattered anyway as Cummins was in.

29.32

Slanted in, full and on off and middle, Glenn Maxwell looks to defend but he gets an inside edge that rolls in front of deep square leg, allowing the batters to run two.

29.20

Angled in from wide of the crease, full and outside off, Glenn Maxwell blocks it out by getting a good stride in.

29.14

FOUR! Streaky! Bowls the leg break, full and on off, Glenn Maxwell pushes out in front as he looks to play at it. The ball spins away to catch the outside edge and races through the vacant slip region for a boundary.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 29 overs : 158/7

P Cummins7 (28)

G Maxwell73 (61)

N Ahmad6-0-42-0

28.60

Short and around off, Pat Cummins dabs it wide of point and there is an easy single on offer but Glenn Maxwell says no.

28.50

Dishes out a googly, full and on middle, Pat Cummins gets his bat out in front and keeps it out.

28.40

At the stumps, a bit short, defended safely down the wicket by Pat Cummins.

28.31

Offers width outside off, Glenn Maxwell punches hard towards extra cover where the fielder dives away to his left to keep it to one.

28.26

SIX! Back-to-back sixes for Glenn Maxwell! Switches to around the wicket, full in length, on off, Glenn Maxwell swings through the line and skies it high in the air. Luckily for him, he manages to clear the man at long on for six more runs.

28.16

SIX! BANG! Floated up, on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell clears his front leg and heaves it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 28 overs : 145/7

P Cummins7 (25)

G Maxwell60 (58)

Ur Rahman6-1-28-0

27.60

Flicks it from the front of the hand, full and curving in, on off, Pat Cummins gets his bat out in front and blocks it on the leg side.

27.50

Drops it short, on middle, pushed off the back foot in front of mid-wicket.

27.40

Fired in, full and on middle and leg, Pat Cummins helps this one away with the angle but straight to short fine leg.

27.30

Looped up, full and on middle and leg, Pat Cummins clips this one to mid-wicket.

27.21

Shortens his length and bowls it on the pads, Glenn Maxwell tucks it towards deep square leg for a single.

27.14

FOUR! Mujeeb Ur Rahman is welcomed back with a boundary! Starts off by offering width outside off, full in length, Glenn Maxwell latches onto the width and drills it between cover and mid off for a boundary. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Drinks are on the field. Safe to stay that Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins are taking this partnership very steadily and scoring runs as well. Some dropped chances may have cost Afghanistan some runs but they are still on the strong foot. Another wicket and the Afghans will creep back into the game. Glenn Maxwell needs to preserve his wicket while Pat Cummins has to play the support role. Let's see how the rest of the game pans out.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 27 overs : 140/7

P Cummins7 (21)

G Maxwell55 (56)

R Khan7-0-30-2

26.64b

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs for Australia! Tossed up, turning away, outside off, Pat Cummins goes for a drive away from the body but the ball spins away past the outside edge and sneaks through the keeper and first slip for a boundary.

26.50

Quicker and turning into the pads, short in length, Pat Cummins gets hurried on the clip and wears it on the pads.

26.41

Slows it up, full and on off, Glenn Maxwell pats this one wide of Rashid Khan for a run.

26.32

Shortens his length, outside off, Glenn Maxwell opens the bat face and slices it wide of deep point for a couple of runs.

26.21

Floated up, around off, Pat Cummins prods forward and pushes it to the right of short extra cover for a single.

26.11

Fullish delivery, outside off, driven away to deep cover for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 26 overs : 131/7

P Cummins6 (18)

G Maxwell51 (53)

N Ahmad5-0-29-0

25.60

Skidding on, at the stumps, Pat Cummins just about manages to get his bat down in time as he gets an inside edge towards short fine leg.

25.50

A bit down leg, short as well, Pat Cummins tickles it off his hips but picks out the man at short fine leg.

25.41

Short and on the pads, tucked in front of square on the leg side for a single.

25.30

Swing and a miss! Slower through the air, short and around off, Glenn Maxwell winds up to launch this one down the ground but the ball spins in to sneak past the inside edge.

25.24

FOUR! FIFTY  for Glenn Maxwell! He has fought a lone fight for Australia and Afghanistan will not breathe easy as long as he is there. Tossed up, outside off, Glenn Maxwell picks the length early and frees his arms to go over mid off. He gets it from the toe end of his bat but gets enough to get it over mid off for a boundary.

25.10

A bit too short, on off, Glenn Maxwell goes back and hammers it off the back foot towards extra cover.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 25 overs : 126/7

P Cummins6 (16)

G Maxwell46 (49)

R Khan6-0-25-2

24.60

On the off-stump line, short in length, Pat Cummins opens himself up and chops it off the back foot towards short third man.

24.50

Shorter, around off, Pat Cummins pats it back to the bowler.

24.40

Fuller in length, on off, Pat Cummins blocks it out solidly off the front foot.

24.30

Beaten! Short and turning away, outside off, Pat Cummins goes back in his crease and defends for the ball keeping straight but it spins away to beat the outside edge.

24.21

This is bowled short and on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell plays it with the turn to deep mid-wicket for a single.

24.10

Flatter and shorter, on off, Glenn Maxwell uses the depth of his crease to push it towards point.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 24 overs : 125/7

P Cummins6 (12)

G Maxwell45 (47)

N Ahmad4-0-24-0

23.60

Switches to around the wicket, full and at the stumps, Pat Cummins gets fully forward and defends it to the left of the bowler.

23.51

Turning in, full and on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell gets on the front foot and works it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

23.41

Dishes out a googly, short and outside off, Pat Cummins opens the face of his bat and guides it wide of cover for a single.

23.30

Flatter and quicker, short and around off, Pat Cummins goes back and blocks it in front of short extra cover.

23.21

Floated up, on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell tucks it in the vacant mid-wicket region for a single.

23.14

FOUR! Heaved away! Offers flight, a bit full, Glenn Maxwell gets down on one knee and fetches it from outside off to hit this one through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 23 overs : 118/7

P Cummins5 (9)

G Maxwell39 (44)

R Khan5-0-24-2

22.60

Quicker through the air, full and on off, Pat Cummins prods forward and blocks it out.

22.50

Bowls it short and googly, on off, Pat Cummins goes back and pushes it back to the bowler.

22.41

Tossed up, outside off, eased away to deep cover for a single.

22.30

Drags it down, short and turning into the pads, there to be hit for Glenn Maxwell but he swings it a bit too early and ends up missing it altogether.

22.20

Slows it up, full and on off, drilled hard back to the bowler. Rashid Khan picks it up cleanly, throws it back to the keeper and walks up towards Maxwell to have a few words.

22.14

FOUR! Shot and a half! A bit too full, on middle and leg, Glenn Maxwell uses his bottom hand and whips it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 22 overs : 113/7

G Maxwell34 (40)

P Cummins5 (7)

N Ahmad3-0-17-0

21.61

Shortish and over leg. Glenn Maxwell flicks it to square leg for a single.

21.50

Dropped! Noor Ahmad will not be happy with that one. He goes fuller and on middle. Glenn Maxwell tries to sweep it but gets the top edge sending the ball directly towards square leg. The fielder there fumbles a sitter and has given Glenn Maxwell another chance to take his innings deep.

21.44

FOUR! Shot! Noor Ahmad just goes short and on leg. Glenn Maxwell has brought out the switch hit. The ball runs to the fence for a spectacular boudnary.

21.32

Short and outside off. Glenn Maxwell hacks it to long on for a couple of runs.

21.35wd

5 Wides! That is unfortunate. Noor Ahmad goes full and down leg side. Glenn Maxwell tries to sweep it but misses and so does the keeper. The ball runs to the fence for four runs and a wide.

21.20

He bowls it full and in line with middle. Glenn Maxwell has missed the ball trying to defend. There is an appeal and the umpire signals out. Glenn Maxwell wants to review it and the UltraEdge shows a gap between the bat and ball. Ball tracking confirms that the ball is bouncing over the wickets and Glenn Maxwell survives.

21.10

Full and on the pads, Glenn Maxwell nudges it off his pads towards backward square leg.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 21 overs : 101/7

G Maxwell27 (34)

P Cummins5 (7)

R Khan4-0-19-2

20.61

Serves the googly this time, short and turning in, Glenn Maxwell reads it well and pats it towards point.

20.50

Tossed up yet again, Glenn Maxwell leans on and defends it on the off side.

20.40

Beauty! Turning away, full and outside off, Glenn Maxwell plays inside the line of the delivery as the ball spins past the outside edge to beat him.

20.30

Flighted delivery, on off, kept out off the front foot by Glenn Maxwell.

20.20

Turning into the batter, full and around off, Glenn Maxwell plays for the turn but the ball keeps straight and goes past the bat.

20.12

DROPPED! A huge mixup between Rashid Khan and Hashmatullah Shahidi and the latter has put it down! Floats it up, turning away, outside off, Glenn Maxwell goes for a heave across the line but the ball spins away to catch the top edge. The ball skies high in the air in front of mid off. Hashmatullah Shahidi thinks that Rashid Khan is going for the catch and he sets off for the catch pretty late. He has to sprint behind to his right and fails to reach it despite the full length dive.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 98/7

G Maxwell24 (28)

P Cummins5 (7)

N Ahmad2-0-5-0

19.61

Noor Ahmad bowls this one fuller and outside off. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and cuts it to deep point for a single to retain the strike in the next over.

19.51

Flatter and fuller on off. Pat Cummins drives it to point for a quick single.

19.40

Short and he turns it away from off. Pat Cummins tries to slap it away but is beaten.

19.30

Floated up over middle. Pat Cummins defends off the back foot.

19.20

Fullish and on off. Pat Cummins just blocks it away on the off side.

19.11

Full and outside off. Glenn Maxwell cuts it away to deep point for a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 95/7

P Cummins4 (3)

G Maxwell22 (26)

R Khan3-0-16-2

18.64

FOUR! Good shot! Rashid Khan tosses this up but just down leg side. Pat Cummins nudges it wide of short fine leg. The ball races to the fence for a boundary to end the over as Pat Cummins is off the mark.

18.50

A bit fuller and outside off. Pat Cummins blocks it on the off side safely.

18.40

Short again turning onto off. Pat Cummins punches it to the fielder at cover.

Australia's skipper Pat Cummins walks out to bat now.

18.3W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! What a catch! Rashid Khan goes a bit short and just over off. Mitchell Starc tries to defend it on the back foot and just nicks it. Ikram Alikhil behind the stumps fumbles early on but takes the catch on the third attempt. The umpire signals out and Australia doesn't want to review that one. They are 7 wickets down and in deep trouble. The replays have rolled up and it shows that the noise was from the ball deflecting off the stump and there was no bat involved. Wonder why Mitchell Starc took so long before deciding not to review there.

18.20

A very close call! Rashid Khan goes full and turns it on middle. Mitchell Starc gets a thick inside edge onto the ground. Rashid Khan in his follow through, grabs the ball perfectly and appeals. The third umpire confirms that the ball has bounced on the ground before going to the bowler and he survives.

Is that out? An appeal for bump ball has been sent upstairs. It did look close in real-time but the replays confirm that the ball made contact with the ground before it lobbed off Mitchell Starc's front toe.

18.10

Short and over middle. Mitchell Starc stands tall and punches it to mid off.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 91/6

G Maxwell22 (26)

M Starc3 (4)

N Ahmad1-0-2-0

17.60

Tossed up on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it to the fielder at cover for a dot to end the over.

17.50

A good ball! Noor Ahmad goes full and turns it onto off. Glenn Maxwell gets an inside edge on his pads.

17.41

Short now on leg. Mitchell Starc punches it down to long on for one run.

17.30

Very full again this time from around the wicket. Mitchell Starc drives it back to the bowler.

17.21

Floated up outside off. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and cuts it to deep cover for a single.

17.10

Very full and straight on middle. Glenn Maxwell drives it to mid off.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 89/6

M Starc2 (2)

G Maxwell21 (22)

R Khan2-0-12-1

16.62

Short again outside off. Mitchell Starc punches it over point for a couple of runs. A good over from Rashid Khan comes to an end.

16.50

Tossed up and on off. Mitchell Marsh miscues it towards square leg.

Mitchell Starc is the new man in.

16.4W

OUT! LBW! Rashid Khan strikes! He goes full and straight on off. Marcus Stoinis has opted to be brave and goes for the reverse sweep. He has missed the ball completely and it has hit the pads. The umpire has signaled out but Marcus Stoinis has gone for the review. UltraEdge shows that there is no connection between the bat and the ball. Ball tracking shows three reds and Australia lose a review. Marcus Stoinis has to depart as his struggle comes to an end.

16.31

A bit short on middle. Glenn Maxwell pats it away to mid-wicket for another run.

16.21

Short now and over off. Marcus Stoinis pulls it away to the fielder at deep square leg for a single.

16.14

FOUR! A good start to the over! Rashid Khan goes full but down the leg side. Marcus Stoinis sweeps it well in the gap at deep square leg. The ball races away to the fence for four runs to begin the over.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 81/5

G Maxwell20 (21)

M Stoinis1 (4)

Ur Rahman5-1-23-0

15.60

Uppish and on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it to the fielder at cover for a dot to end the over.

15.54

FOUR! Even better! Mujeeb Ur Rahman over compensates by going fuller and outside off. Glenn Maxwell drives it through the gap at covers and racing away to the fence for another boundary.

15.44

FOUR! What a shot! Mujeeb Ur Rahman floats it up on off. Glenn Maxwell slogs sweeps it over mid-wicket powerfully. The ball races away to the fence for four runs.

15.30

Tossed up on middle Glenn Maxwell flicks it away to short fine leg. Three dots in a row.

15.20

Fuller now outside off. Glenn Maxwell slaps it to the fielder at point.

15.10

A bit short and on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it to the fielder at covers.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 73/5

M Stoinis1 (4)

G Maxwell12 (15)

R Khan1-0-4-0

14.60

Full again this time turning in. Marcus Stoinis tries to defend it but misses it completely. A good over from Rashid Khan.

14.50

Floated up on off. Marcus Stoinis defends this one solidly.

14.51wd

A bit short and going down leg side. Marcus Stoinis shuffles across and leaves it for the keeper to collect. The umpire signals a wide.

14.40

A loud appeal but the umpire has no response. Rashid Khan bowls it full and turning away from off. Marcus Stoinis tries to defend it but the ball turns away from him and into the keeper's gloves. Afghanistan has appealed but the umpire refuses. They have gone for the review. There is nothing on UltraEdge but it shows that the ball has nicked the pads. Ball Tracking confirms wickets hitting as umpire's call and Marcus Stoinis has survived.

14.31

A low full toss from Rashid Khan. Glenn Maxwell drives it to long off for one run.

14.31wd

Floated up but just going down leg. Glenn Maxwell leaves it alone as the umpire signals a wide.

14.21

Tossed up on middle. Marcus Stoinis flicks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Marcus Stoinis comes out to bat with Australia reeling at 69-5.

14.1W

OUT! RUN-OUT! Rashid Khan bowls it full and on the pads. Glenn Maxwell taps it towards mid-wicket and sets off for a single. Marnus Labuschagne is a little late for the run while Rahmat Shah collects the ball. The throw isn't great but it is a direct hit. Replays show that Marnus Labuschagne is just short of the crease even after diving at full length and he has to depart. A huge wicket for Afghanistan and another blow for Australia.

Rashid Khan comes into the attack now, replacing Azmatullah Omarzai.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 69/4

M Labuschagne14 (28)

G Maxwell11 (13)

Ur Rahman4-1-15-0

13.60

A maiden over! Mujeeb Ur Rahman tosses this up and on off. Marnus Labuschagne defends it into the ground.

13.50

Uppish again on the pads. Marnus Labuschagne flicks it away to short fine leg.

13.40

Floated up outside off. Marnus Labuschagne drives it to the fielder at covers but mistimes it.

13.30

A bit short and on off. Marnus Labuschagne punches it to the fielder at point.

13.20

Tossed up right on middle. Marnus Labuschagne blocks it out watchfully.

13.10

Full and on the pads. Marnus Labuschagne pats it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 69/4

G Maxwell11 (13)

M Labuschagne14 (22)

A Omarzai5-1-29-2

12.60

Beaten! Azmatullah Omarzai bowls it on the hard length just nipping way outside off. Glenn Maxwell tries to be aggressive looking to muscle it down the ground but is beaten by the swing. A good ball to end the over.

12.51

On length and outside off. Marnus Labuschagne cuts it away towards point and runs one.

12.41

Full again swinging into the pads. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away much squarer this time and to the fielder at deep square leg. The batters take a single.

12.34

FOUR! Azmatullah Omarzai goes fuller this time but on the pads. Glenn Maxwell flicks it away well very fine and away from fine leg. The ball races to the fence for a boundary. A good comeback from Maxwell.

12.20

Spicy! Azmatullah Omarzai bangs this one short and over off. Glenn Maxwell tries to pull it away but he is taken by surprise as the ball sails away to the keeper.

12.12

On length and over middle. Glenn Maxwell pats it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Drinks break! Afghanistan are well in charge of the proceedings here. The pace duo of Naveen-ul-Haq and Azmatullah Omarzai made the new ball talk to put Australia in all sorts of trouble. The Aussies are in desperate need of a partnership and they are hoping that this pair can steady the sinking ship. With Afghanistan having four spinners, it will be fascinating to see how these two batters tackle them. An interesting phase of the game coming up.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 61/4

G Maxwell4 (8)

M Labuschagne13 (21)

Ur Rahman3-0-15-0

11.61

Tossed up on off. Glenn Maxwell sweeps it off the bottom edge towards deep square leg for a single to end the over.

11.51

Fullish and outside off. Marnus Labuschagne punches it off to deep point for one more run.

11.41

Floated up on off. Glenn Maxwell drives it towards point for a single.

11.30

A loud appeal but turned down. Mujeeb Ur Rahman goes full and turning in onto off. Glenn Maxwell takes a long stride towards the ball and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

11.21

A bit short and over middle. Marnus Labuschagne nudges it away to square leg for one run.

11.10

Tossed up outside off. Marnus Labuschagne slices it to point where the fielder collects it.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-0-11-0) returns to the attack.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 57/4

M Labuschagne11 (18)

G Maxwell2 (5)

A Omarzai4-1-21-2

10.61

Short again this time angling over off. Marnus Labuschagne cuts it to deep point for a single to retain the strike in the next over.

10.54

FOUR! What a way to release the pressure! Azmatullah Omarzai goes a bit short and on off. Marnus Labuschagne jabs it through the gap at mid-wicket. The ball has got enough pace on it to run away to the fence for four runs.

10.40

Edged but short. Azmatullah Omarzai bowls it on length with a hint of outswing. Marnus Labuschagne gets a thick outside edge but the ball lands just short of the fielder at slip. Another close.

10.30

Again on the hard length this time just outside off. Marnus Labuschagne blocks this one too.

10.20

On the good length just over middle. Marnus Labuschagne blocks it off the back foot.

10.10

Azmatullah Omarzai goes full and on the pads. Marnus Labuschagne tries to nudges it on the leg side but gets the leading edge making the ball roll away to the off side.

End of the first powerplay. Afghanistan can now have up to 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle until the 40th over.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 52/4

G Maxwell2 (5)

M Labuschagne6 (12)

Naveen5-0-24-2

9.60

A bit too straight, on a back of a length, at the hips, Glenn Maxwell tickles this one straight to short fine leg. He throws his head back in disappointment as he picked out the only man inside the circle there.

9.51

Short of a length, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and guides it towards backward point where the fielder dives away to his left and parries the ball towards third man for a run

9.40

At 130.8 clicks, on a fuller length, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne gets on the front foot and works it square towards point.

The play is halted as the players wait for the groundsmen to put some sawdust near the bowlers' run-up mark and flatten it for more grip. The procedure is done and play is all set to resume.

9.30

Goes full on this occasion, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne leans into the drive and drives it crisply but straight to cover.

9.20

In the channel on off, on a good length, Marnus Labuschagne covers his off stump and leaves the ball alone.

9.10

Length delivery, around off, Marnus Labuschagne pats it along the ground towards Naveen-ul-Haq.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 51/4

G Maxwell2 (4)

M Labuschagne5 (7)

A Omarzai3-1-16-2

8.60

Back of a length, on off, pushed straight back towards the bowler. End of an exceptional over from Azmatullah Omarzai.

8.52

Pitched up, outside off, Glenn Maxwell drives through the line through extra cover for a couple of runs to open his account.

8.40

On a good length, swinging away, outside off, driven straight to cover.

8.30

No hat-trick for Azmatullah Omarzai! The adrenaline rush gets the better of Afghanistan as they waste a review. This is bowled with an upright seam on a good length, on off, Glenn Maxwell pushes out in front as he looks to defend. He gets an outside edge that surprisingly does not carry behind and falls well in front of Ikram Alikhil. Afghanistan appeal for LBW which is turned down. The front on replays clearly show that there was no pad involved and it was all bat.

Glenn Maxwell will face the hat-trick ball.

8.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! Two in two for Azmatullah Omarzai! Australia in dire straits as they lose their fourth wicket now. Omarzai greets Josh Inglis with a back-of-a-length delivery, shaping away, outside off, Josh Inglis hangs on the back foot and goes pushing at the delivery away from his body. The ball moves away enough to catch the outside edge that flies straight down the throat of Ibrahim Zadran at first slip who snaffles it with both hands. Another Aussie batter departs for a duck.

Josh Inglis walks out to bat next.

8.1W

OUT! CASTLED! Azmatullah Omarzai gets his reward for some consistent bowling! David Warner succumbs to the pressure of dots. Continues from around the wicket and gets this one to tail in sharply, on a fuller in length, on the off-stump line, David Warner wants to put the bowler off his line and length and decides to give charge. He goes for a swipe across the line and pays the price. The ball seams in enough to beat the bat as it clips the front thigh on its way to uproot the off-stump. Afghanistan are right on top at the moment.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 49/2

M Labuschagne5 (7)

D Warner18 (28)

Naveen4-0-23-2

7.60

This is bowled from wide of the crease, on a good length, angling in, outside off, left alone by Marnus Labuschagne.

7.54

FOUR! Lovely shot! Naveen-ul-Haq errs in length as he presents a half-volley, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne does not have to move his feet much and lets his hands flow. He shows the full face of his bat to drive it past the bowler and wide of mid off for a boundary.

7.40

At 130.7 clicks, on a length, outside off, a tempter for Marnus Labuschagne but he opts to lift his bat and let the ball go through to the keeper.

7.30

Good shot for no run! Hurls this one a bit too full, on the pads, Marnus Labuschagne clips it neatly but picks out the man at md-wicket.

7.21

Goes slightly full, on the fourth stump line, David Warner gets half forward as he looks to defend and he gets an outside edge that rolls to third man for a single.

7.11

Marnus Labuschagne is off the mark! Naveen-ul-Haq goes into the wicket, just outside off, Marnus Labuschagne gets on his toes and drops it with soft hands in front of square leg for a single.

There is a slight halt as the batters are disturbed by the movement happening above the sight screen. The issue seems to be sorted now as play resumes.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 43/2

D Warner17 (27)

M Labuschagne0 (2)

A Omarzai2-1-14-0

6.60

A maiden from Azmatullah Omarzai! Shaping away a touch, on length, on off, David Warner gets right behind the line to his one and keeps it out on the off side.

6.50

Oh my! How has that missed the stumps? Sharp inswinger, on a good length, on middle, David Warner stays in his crease to keep this one out but the ball jags back in off the deck and beats him all ends up. The ball sneaks past the inside edge before going over the stumps. Fine stop by Ikram Alikhil diving away to his right as the ball was swinging further away after passing the stumps.

6.40

Four dots on the trot! A bit fuller than the previous delivery, just outside off, David Warner allows the ball to come to him and blocks it out with a straight bat towards mid off.

6.30

Much closer to off, on a good length, at 130.1 clicks, David Warner gets on his toes and pats it towards cover-point.

6.20

Back of a length this time, outside off, David Warner frees his arms to push this one through the off side but mistimes it towards extra cover.

6.10

Serves it full, around off, David Warner angles the face of his bat and steers it towards point.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 43/2

M Labuschagne0 (2)

D Warner17 (21)

Naveen3-0-17-2

5.60

Short of a length, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne hops and blocks it onto the deck with an angled bat. End of another successful over from Naveen-ul-Haq.

5.50

It's all happening! Naveen-ul-Haq hurls it full this time, full and on off and middle, tailing in, Marnus Labuschagne decides to defend this one from the crease and right under his eyes. Luckily for him, he gets an inside edge onto the front pad. Marnus was gone for all money had he not gotten any bat on this one.

Marnus Labuschagne is the new batter in.

5.4W

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Naveen-ul-Haq has the last laugh! A massive blow for Australia as the dangerous-looking Mitchell Marsh walks back now. Holds his composure and decides to go wide of the crease and angles it into the right-hander, on a length with an upright seam, on middle, Mitchell Marsh opts to stay on the back foot to keep this one but does not account for the inward movement. The ball jags back in sharply to sneak past the inside edge before hitting him on the knee roll on the back leg. Mitchell Marsh knows he is a goner and decides to keep walking.

5.36

SIX! Mitchell Marsh has come out firing here! Naveen-ul-Haq looks to go short this time but it sits up nicely for the batter, outside off. Mitchell Marsh shimmies down the track and muscles the pull over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

5.20

Adjusts by dragging his length back, around off, Mitchell Marsh is happy to stab this one in front of short extra cover.

5.14

FOUR! Shot of authority! Naveen-ul-Haq goes a bit too full on this occasion, on off, Mitchell Marsh holds his shape and lofts through the line. He hits back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 33/1

D Warner17 (21)

M Marsh14 (7)

A Omarzai1-0-14-0

4.60

Width on offer again, back of a length, David Warner reaches out and slaps this one but picks out the man at cover.

4.61wd

WIDE! Errs in line as he slips this one down leg, on a back of a length, David Warner gets inside the line and shoulders arms for a wide. Good take by Ikram Alikhil diving away to his right.

4.50

Swinging away, on a good length, on middle and leg, David Warner stays in his crease and defends it in front of square leg.

4.42

Bangs it into the wicket. going away from the left-hander, David Warner fetches it from outside off and drags the pull through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

4.31

Pitched up by Azmatullah Omarzai. swining in, on middle, Mitchell Marsh drives it firmly towards mid off and calls David Warner through for a quick single..

4.26

SIX! Not in control but Mitchell Marsh has a maximum! On a hard length with an upright seam, on middle, Mitchell Marsh shapes up to have a swipe across the line but the ball moves away late. He gets a top edge that flies all the way over third man for a maximum.

4.14

FOUR! Azmatullah Omarzai is greeted with a boundary! A bit of width outside off, on a length, Mitchell Marsh extends his arms and punches it through covers with minimal foot movement for a boundary.

Azmatullah Omarzai is brought into the attack now.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 19/1

D Warner15 (18)

M Marsh3 (4)

Naveen2-0-7-1

3.60

Fuller in length but sliding on the pads, David Warner gives the charge this time but does not manage to help the ball on its way and gets hit on the front pad. Half a shout from the keeper but the ball was heading down leg.

3.50

Jaffa! Goes wide of the crease and angles it in, on a good length, on the fourth stump line, David Warner waits back in his crease and reaches out with his bat in front. The ball nips away off the surface and zips past his outside edge.

3.40

On the fifth stump line, full as well, David Warner gets on the front foot and pats it towards point.

3.30

Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, David Warner gets behind the line and blocks it out solidly towards the bowler.

3.22

Another misfield! Fuller in length, shaping away, around off, David Warner plays it right under his eyes and taps it towards cover-point. Noor Ahmad moves to his right but fails to get his hands in the right position as the ball goes under his hands and sneaks through his legs. Two runs taken.

3.11lb

Leg bye! Tailing in, on a length, on middle and leg, Mitchell Marsh uses his feet to negate the swing and looks to help it away. He misses as the ball rolls off his pads towards square leg for a leg bye.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 16/1

D Warner13 (13)

M Marsh3 (3)

Ur Rahman2-0-11-0

2.60

Angling in, short and on middle and leg, David Warner crouches and swivels to pull this one but the ball skids on and catches him on the body.

2.50

Pulls the length back and bowls it outside off, David Warner hangs on the back foot and stabs it in front of short extra cover.

2.44

FOUR! Nicely driven! Looped up a bit, full and outside off, David Warner gets the width he needs and he drills it through covers for a boundary.

2.31

Drops it short, on around middle, Mitchell Marsh rocks back and tucks it in front of square on the leg side for a run.

2.21

Sloppy! Floats it up, outside off, David Warner gets the weight on the front foot and drives it towards extra cover where Rahmanullah Gurbaz fails to get his body behind the ball and concedes a single.

2.11

Coming in with the arm, short and on middle and leg, Mitchell Marsh goes back and punches it through mid on for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 9/1

D Warner8 (9)

M Marsh1 (1)

Naveen1-0-5-1

1.64

FOUR! All timing! Pitches it up, outside off, David Warner uses his feet and pushes towards cover. It is just a push he manages to get it right between cover and point for a boundary.

1.50

Offers width this time, on a good length, outside off, David Warner is happy to leave the ball alone.

1.40

Half a chance and Rahmat Shah has put it down! Angling in, on a good length, on off and middle, David Warner takes the risk of working it across the line but gets squared up as he gets an outside edge. It flies low towards gully where Rahmat Shah gets low but he fails to scoop the ball with his fingers. Naveen-ul-Haq isn't pleased and feels that Rahmat should have done better there.

1.31

Comes from over the wicket for the right-hander and hurls this one on a fullish length, around off, tailing in, Mitchell Marsh pushes this one from the crease towards mid off where a fumble results in a single.

Mitchell Marsh walks out to bat at number 3.

1.2W

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Naveen-ul-Haq creates an instant impact on his return to the side! An early blow for Australia as Travis Head departs for a duck! Serves this one in the channel on off, on a good length and gets this one to angle into the left-hander. Travis Head plays for the angle but does so away from the body and without any movement of the feet. The ball moves away after pitching and catches the outside edge. Ikram Alikhil behind the stumps, does the rest to send Head back into the hut early. Just the start Afghanistan were after.

1.10

Starts from around the wicket and bowls it on a length, outside off, Travis Head sees the width and throws his hands at the delivery without much foot movement. He loses his shape and ends up mishitting it towards mid off.

Pace from the other end as Naveen-ul-Haq is brought into the attack from the opposite end.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 4/0

D Warner4 (6)

T Head0 (0)

Ur Rahman1-0-4-0

0.60

Shortens his length and gives a bit of width outside off, David Warner drills it hard towards point where the ball bounces in front of the fielder but he manages well to make a good stop to his right.

0.50

Curving away, fuller in length, outside off, a bit of extra bounce, David Warner defends it with soft hands towards backward point.

0.40

Drops it short now, outside off, punched off the back foot towards point.

0.30

Fullish delivery, on middle and leg, David Warner shapes to flick it away but gets a soft leading edge towards the bowler.

0.20

Much better! Coming in with the arm, short and sliding on the pads, David Warner gets caught in his crease as he tries to clip it away and wears it high on the front pad. A loud shot but it is turned down by the umpire as it looked to be going down leg.

0.14

FOUR! David Warner and Australia are underway in style! Starts off with a loosener, short and a wide outside off, swinging away, David Warner hangs back and crouches to slap it through covers for a boundary.

Commentary

We are back for the chase. The umpires are on the field and the fielders have taken their position on the field after discussing last-minute plans. David Warner and Travis Head will open the batting innings. Spin is introduced at the beginning as Mujeeb Ur Rahman will have the new ball in hand. Let the chase begin...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Australia, on the other hand, grappled with the challenge of breaking the Afghan partnership in the middle overs, allowing Afghanistan to dominate the closing stages. Adam Zampa, who has been in formidable form for the Australians, could only secure a solitary wicket during this phase, thwarting their game plan. While Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood maintained their precision, the Afghan batters denied them any opportunity to regain control. Josh Hazlewood claimed two wickets, with Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa each chipping in with one wicket. The focus now shifts to Australia's innings under the lights as they set out to chase down the formidable target posted by Afghanistan. The stage is set for an enthralling showdown, as cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate whether Australia can clinch victory or if Afghanistan will once again defy expectations and secure a spot in the coveted top four of the tournament standings. The live-action awaits, and the answer will soon be revealed.

Ibrahim Zadran, the first-ever centurion for Afghanistan in World Cups is up for a chat. He says that he is very happy to achieve this special feat. Adds that against Pakistan, he missed out on his hundred and was desperately looking to score and he also had chats with his coaches and felt that there was a century around the corner. Tells that the ball is coming nicely on the bat and there target was something around 290 but if they had wickets in hand then they would have looked for 330. Praises Rashid Khan for his blinder of a knock in the end. Says that they have a good bowling attack but they need to execute their plans and bowl well. Mentions that the runs are on the board, half the job is done and now they have to field well. Ends by saying that he had a good chat with Sachin Tendulkar and is very thankful to him for sharing his experience and which also helped him score the hundred in this game.

The Afghan innings began on a promising note, with both openers displaying excellent form. The early loss of Rahmanullah Gurbaz's wicket in the eighth over, however, shifted the onus onto Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah to stabilize the innings. Together, they crafted a vital partnership of 83 runs, providing Afghanistan with a solid foundation. Rahmat Shah's departure marked a crucial moment in the innings, making way for Afghan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi to partner with Ibrahim Zadran. The duo managed to amass an additional 50 runs before Hashmatullah Shahidi succumbed to an impeccable yorker delivered by Mitchell Starc. Ibrahim Zadran then went on to score an exceptional century which became the highlight of the innings, rendering him the first Afghan batter to register a World Cup ton. In the final overs, Ibrahim Zadran, alongside the dynamic Rashid Khan, accelerated the scoring, dispatching the Australian bowlers for colossal sixes and contributing 58 valuable runs in the last five overs of the innings. Ibrahim Zadran went not out at 129 and Rashid Khan scored a brilliant 35 off just 18 balls to take Afghanistan to 291.

The culmination of the first innings in this thrilling encounter between Australia and Afghanistan has set the stage for a riveting contest. Afghanistan's captain won the toss and opted to make first use of a pristine batting track at the illustrious Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Afghan side delivered a stellar batting performance, accumulating an imposing total of 291 while losing just five wickets throughout their allocated 50 overs, ultimately setting the Australians a challenging target of 292 to chase. This remarkable feat now stands as Afghanistan's highest-ever World Cup score, marking a historic moment for their cricketing journey.

Runs Scored 16 Runs

Score after 50 overs : 291/5

R Khan35 (18)

I Zadran129 (143)

M Starc9-0-70-1

49.60

An anti-climatic end to the innings! 16 runs off the over but nothing from the last ball. Mitchell Starc bowls another wide yorker, well outside off, Rashid Khan moves across a bit and throws his bat at it but fails to reach it. The umpire signals nothing and Rashid Khan cannot believe it is not given as a wide. Afghanistan finishes on 291/6!

49.56

SIX! Oh, my word! Rashid Khan at his best! Mitchell Starc once again bangs this one into the pitch and around middle, Rashid Khan goes down and takes his eyes off the ball but still manages to slap it over the deep square leg fence for another maximum.

49.40

Rashid Khan misses out there!  Mitchell Starc looks to go for the wide yorker but serves a low full toss, outside off, Rashid Khan slashes hard at it but fails to connect.

49.36

SIX! Wow..this is a tennis shot! Mitchell Starc once again lands this short of a length and around off, Rashid Khan stays in his crease and absolutely swats it over the long off fence for a biggie. It looked like a cross-court smash from Rashid! That also brings up the 50-run partnership between these two batters.

49.20

Back of a length and on middle, slower too, Rashid Khan forces it towards long on but denies the run.

49.14

FOUR! A streaky boundary but Afghanistan won't mind it at all! Mitchell Starc starts the last over with a high full toss, on off, Rashid Khan looks to swipe it across the line but gets an outside edge over short third man for four more runs.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 49 overs : 275/5

I Zadran129 (143)

R Khan19 (12)

P Cummins8-0-47-0

48.62

Short of a length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran pulls it wide of deep square leg for a couple of more runs. 14 runs off the over!

48.61wd

Another slower bouncer but this time down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran leaves it alone. Wided.

48.54

FOUR! A boundary now! Pat Cummins tries the yorker but misses and bowls a low full toss, Ibrahim Zadran quickly punches on it and thrashes it through extra covers for four more runs. Excellent batting from Zadran!

48.46

SIX! Ibrahim Zadran connects this time alright! Pat Cummins serves this one full and around middle this time, in the slot, Ibrahim Zadran clears his front leg away and dispatches it well wide and over the long on fence for a biggie.

48.30

Another dot! This is another slower delivery, full and oj off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to slog it across the line but gets an outside edge as the ball goes on the bounce to the keeper.

48.21

Back of a length and outside off, Rashid Khan has to reach for it and slaps it wide of sweeper covers for a single.

48.10

Pat Cummins rolls his wrists and bangs in a slower bouncer, outside off, Rashid Khan leaves it alone thinking it will be a wide. However, the umpires signals nothing.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 48 overs : 261/5

I Zadran117 (139)

R Khan18 (10)

M Starc8-0-54-1

47.60

Overpitched and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drills it straight to extra covers.

47.51

DROPPED! A fine effort though in the deep! Mitchell Starc bangs in a slower bouncer, outside off, Rashid Khan looks to slap it away but mistimes it in the air towards sweeper covers where Marcus Stoinis runs forward but fails to judge it and has to dive forward in the end to take the catch. The umpires sends it upstairs to check if it clean or not. After a lot of replays from different angles we can see that the ball has bounce on the ground and Stoinis does not have fingers underneath it at that time. The screen shows Not Out, and one run added to the total.

47.40

A good shot but for no run! This is pitched up and outside off, Rashid Khan backs away and drills it very hard along the ground but straight to extra covers.

47.31

Takes pace off, short of a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran steers it towards third man for a run.

47.26

SIX! Up, up and away! Mitchell Marsh serves this full but angling into the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran picks it up off his pads and whips it over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie. Pure timing from Zadran!

47.11

A full toss, on middle, Rashid Khan lofts it wide of long off for a single.

Runs Scored 16 Runs

Score after 47 overs : 252/5

R Khan16 (7)

I Zadran110 (136)

G Maxwell10-0-55-1

46.61

This is short again and on middle, Rashid Khan moves back and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for just one. Maxi gets away with it!

46.63nb

Nicely played by Rashid Khan! Maxwell darts this one full and around leg, Rashid Khan closes the face of the bat and clips it between his own legs wide of fine leg for a brace. Oh..no! It is called a No Ball for overstepping. Free Hit coming up...

46.54

FOUR! Excellent shot! Glenn Maxwell sees the batter advance and serves this short and well outside off, Rashid Khan also is one step ahead and throws his bat at it to carve it over covers for a boundary.

46.41

Another short delivery, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

46.30

Quicker, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it straight back to the bowler.

46.21

Short and on middle, Rashid Khan moves back and pulls it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square leg for a single.

46.16

SIX! Just over! This is flatter, full and around middle, Rashid Khan goes down on one knee and slog-sweeps it hard towards the deep mid-wicket fence where the ball has enough legs to clear Mitchell Starc for a maximum.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 46 overs : 236/5

R Khan2 (2)

I Zadran109 (134)

J Hazlewood9-0-39-2

45.61

Short of a length and around off, Rashid Khan guides it through backward point for one.

45.51

On a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to push it away but gets an outside edge towards short third man where Mitchell Marsh's knee gets stuck on the ground but he still manages to make a half-stop. They cross.

45.41

Back of a length and around off, Rashid Khan dabs it through point for a single and gets off the mark.

Rashid Khan is the next batter in for Afghanistan.

45.3W

OUT! TIMBER! Josh Hazlewood has the last laugh here! A short stay for Mohammad Nabi comes to an end. This is served full and in line with the stumps, shaping in a bit, Mohammad Nabi clears his front leg and looks to slog it away across the line but goes a bit too hard and loses his shape. As a result, he completely misses it and the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. Afghanistan lose half their side now!

45.20

Goes fuller and around leg, angling in, Mohammad Nabi misses his flick and gets hit on the pads, he sets off for the leg bye but is sent back.

45.16

SIX! BOOM! Into the crowd! Josh Hazlewood bangs this short and around middle, Mohammad Nabi gets into a good position early and absolutely hammers it over the deep square leg fence into the second tier. Massive hit!

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 45 overs : 227/4

M Nabi6 (7)

I Zadran108 (133)

A Zampa10-0-58-1

44.61

Short again on the leg stump. Mohammad Nabi rocks back and punches the ball to long on and runs a single to end the over.

44.52

Just short at the stumps. Mohammad Nabi punches the ball down the ground to the left of long on and runs a couple.

44.41

Short and wide, cut away to sweepers for a single.

44.36

SIX! What a pick up from the length. This is a shot in form. Adam Zampa pitches the ball up on the leg stump and Ibrahim Zadran lofts the ball over long on off the front foot for a massive six. Afghanistan looking to make a move ahead now.

44.21

Pitched short again. Mohammad Nabi pushes the ball to long on for a single.

44.10

Bowls short on the leg stump. Mohammad Nabi looks to go over deep mid-wicket but misses the ball completely. No run.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 44 overs : 216/4

I Zadran101 (131)

M Nabi2 (3)

J Hazlewood8-0-30-1

43.62

There it is, a brilliant HUNDRED by Ibrahim Zadran! Took him some time to take that single but in the end he gets a couple off the overthrow. Ibrahim Zadran becomes the first Afghanistan batter to score a ton in a World Cup match. Josh Hazlewood pitches the ball up on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball straight to covers and calls for a quick single. The fielder picks the ball up and throws at the bowler's end but misses the run out and Ibrahim Zadran takes a second run.

43.50

Pitched up again outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran plays it late but straight to the hands of point. No run.

43.40

Pitched up on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran takes the front leg out and pushes the ball straight to mid off. Still on 99.

43.31

Another good length ball on the off stump. Mohammad Nabi tucks it between covers and point and runs a single.

43.20

Another good length ball at the stumps. Mohammad Nabi stands on the crease and flicks the ball straight to mid-wicket.

43.11

Hits the good length ball on the middle stump line. Ibrahim Zadran punches the ball to mid on and takes a run.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 43 overs : 212/4

I Zadran98 (127)

M Nabi1 (1)

A Zampa9-0-47-1

42.61

Short on the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single to end the over.

42.50

Pitched up on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran punches the ball back to the bowler.

42.41

Pitched up on the middle stump. Mohammad Nabi flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket and runs a single to get off the mark.

Mohammad Nabi is the next man in.

42.3W

OUT! CAUGHT! Adam Zampa adds another one to his tally for the World Cup and this time its Azmatullah Omarzai. Pitches the ball way up on the stumps making Azmatullah Omarzai unable to get any elevation on the ball. Azmatullah Omarzai reading the situation looks to go for the big one, times it well but hits it flat into the hands of Glenn Maxwell standing at long off. Afghanistan lose another one at a crucial time.

42.20

Swing and a miss. Adam Zampa tosses the ball up on the leg stump line. Azmatullah Omarzai looks to slog it over deep mid-wicket but gets an inside edge onto the pads for a dot ball.

42.11

Tosses the ball up again on the leg stump line. Ibrahim Zadran takes a leg out and drives the ball to long on for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 42 overs : 209/3

I Zadran96 (124)

A Omarzai22 (16)

P Cummins7-0-33-0

41.61

Pitched up on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball to sweepers and runs another single to end the over.

41.51

Pitched up on the off stump. Azmatullah Omarzai pushes the ball straight to covers and the batter pick up a single because of the over throw at the batter's end.

41.41

Just short again on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball in the sweepers gap and runs a single.

41.32

Hits the short length outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran launches at it and cuts it hard over point to the left of sweepers. Marcus Stoinis dives to his left and keeps it down to 2 runs for Ibrahim Zadran.

41.20

Another good length ball hit hard on the stumps line. Ibrahim Zadran stands tall on the crease and pushes it straight back to Pat Cummins.

41.10

Just short outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran punches the ball from the crease but straight to covers. No run.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 41 overs : 204/3

A Omarzai21 (15)

I Zadran92 (119)

A Zampa8-0-44-0

40.60

Pitched up again on the stumps. Azmatullah Omarzai pushes the ball straight to covers to end the over.

40.56

SIX! That is massive! Adam Zampa tosses the ball up on the middle stump line and Azmatullah Omarzai takes him on straight away. Takes the front leg out of the way and launches the ball straight back over Adam Zampa's head for a massive maximum. Afghanistan looking strong for the 300+ score.

40.41

Just short outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran cuts the ball to sweepers for a single.

40.31

Tossed up on the middle stump. Azmatullah Omarzai pushes the ball to long off and takes a single.

40.20

Just short on the off stump with a hint of turn away from the batter. Azmatullah Omarzai goes back and pushes the ball to covers.

40.11

Tossed up on the leg stump. Ibrahim Zadran flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket and runs a single.

Powerplay 3! Now, five fielders are allowed outside the inner ring. However, Australia will look to put even more pressure by closing in the field a bit. Also, Adam Zampa replaces Glenn Maxwell.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 40 overs : 195/3

I Zadran90 (117)

A Omarzai14 (11)

P Cummins6-0-28-0

39.61

In the air...safe! Pat Cummins bangs this into the pitch and around off, Ibrahim Zadran ramps it in the air but it falls well short of third man, They cross.

39.51

Goes fuller and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to play at it but gets an outside edge past point for one.

39.44

FOUR! Good shot! Azmatullah Omarzai showing some intent here! Pat Cummins lands this on a good length and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai stays there and heaves it towards the vacant deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

HALT! Azmatullah Omarzai gets a hit on the helmet and the mandatory concussion test is going on. He looks fine and is ready to go.

39.34lb

FOUR BYES! Pat Cummins bangs in a quick and sharp bouncer, on middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai looks to pull but gets surprised and misses as the ball goes off his helmet towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

39.21

On a length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it through square leg for a single.

39.10

Fuller one and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran clips it towards short mid-wicket

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 39 overs : 184/3

A Omarzai9 (8)

I Zadran88 (114)

G Maxwell9-0-39-1

38.60

Quicker, full and on middle Azmatullah Omarzai gets hurried a bit and gets his bat down to knock it towards mid on.

38.52

Flighted, full and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai goes inside out and drives it nicely wide of sweeper covers for a brace.

38.41

Floated, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran tucks it through mid-wicket for another run.

38.31

Tossed up, full and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai stays back and drills it towards long on for a run.

38.20

Flatter, short and on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai stays back and pushes it towards mid off.

38.11

Short and on middle, turning in, Ibrahim Zadran flicks it off the back foot through square leg for a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 38 overs : 179/3

A Omarzai6 (4)

I Zadran86 (112)

M Starc7-0-45-1

37.60

Another full delivery, on middle, Azmatullah Omarzai works it towards mid on.

37.56

SIX! BANG! What a shot to get off the mark! Mitchell Starc pitches this one up and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai presents the full face of the bat to launch it with sublime timing over the wide long off fence for a biggie.

37.40

On a length and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai taps it towards point.

37.30

Mitchell Starc comes around the wicket and serves this full, on middle, angling in, Azmatullah Omarzai mistimes his drive back to the bowler.

Azmatullah Omarzai is the new batter in for Afghanistan.

37.2W

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Mitchell Starc strikes finally! He nails the yorker on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi who is looking to up the tempo, advances down the track but fails to put his bat down in time to dig it out and the ball goes through to shatter the stumps. The Afghan skipper goes after a slow knock but this may be a blessing in disguise for them as they have a lot of power hitters down the order. Afghanistan three down now!

37.10

Full and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi drives it straight to short covers,

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 37 overs : 173/2

H Shahidi26 (41)

I Zadran86 (112)

T Head3-0-15-0

36.61

Goes short again and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi moves back and punches it through covers for one more. Afghanistan needs to change gears now if they want to get something near 300.

36.51

Tossed up, full and on leg, Ibrahim Zadran whips it though mid-wicket for one.

36.40

Floated, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it back to the bowler again.

36.30

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

36.21

Short again and outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets forward and cuts it wide of deep point for just a run as Marcus Stoinis is quick to collect and throw the ball to the keeper's end. With that, the 50-run partnership comes up between the batters.

36.11

Short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 169/2

H Shahidi24 (39)

I Zadran84 (108)

M Starc6-0-39-0

35.60

A bit slower, full again, on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi plays it straight towards mid off.

35.50

Another full delivery, on middle, swinging in, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to work it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball rolls to the off side.

35.40

Goes full again and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes it straight to shrot covers.

35.31

This is pitched up and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it through cover-point for another run.

35.21

Back of a length and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi stabs it through covers for a run.

35.21wd

Full again but angling into leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi misses his flick. The umpire initially signals nothing but gives it a wide after a few seconds.

35.11

Fuller one and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it towards mid on for a quick single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 35 overs : 165/2

I Zadran82 (106)

H Shahidi23 (35)

A Zampa7-0-35-0

34.61

A bit short and around off, Ibrahim Zadran moves back and punches it towards sweeper covers for one more.

34.51

Fligthed, full and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi drills it towards long off for one.

34.40

Pushed through quicker, short and on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to pull it away but the ball skids through and hits him on the pads and rolls towards short third man.

34.31

Floated, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it towards long off for a run.

34.21

Tossed up, full and on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi uses his feet and eases it towards long off for a single.

34.10

Flatter, short and on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi bunts it back to the bowler.

34.12wd

Darts this one full but down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran leaves it alone and Josh Inglis only manages to deflect it towards short fine leg. A bye is taken and it is called a wide.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 34 overs : 159/2

I Zadran80 (104)

H Shahidi21 (31)

J Hazlewood7-0-26-1

33.61

On a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran steers it through backward point for one.

33.50

Goes fuller this time, on off, Ibrahim Zadran mistimes his drive back to the bowler.

33.40

Back of a length and on middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran looks to pull it away but misses and gets hit high on the body.

33.31

Josh Hazlewood bangs in a sharp bouncer, on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets hurried and mistimes his pull shot in the air but it lands safely in front of deep mid-wicket. A single is taken.

33.20

Pulls his length back a bit and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi dabs it towards point.

33.10

Fullish delivery, on middle, angling in, Hashmatullah Shahidi keeps it out towards short mid-wicket.

DRINKS! Afghanistan are 157/2 after 33 overs and they are looking all set for a big total on a wicket that looks good for batting. Australia needs to pick up a few quick wickets to stop Afghanistan from a 300+ score. Will the Aussies be able to do it? Let's find out. Live action coming your way.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 33 overs : 157/2

I Zadran79 (101)

H Shahidi20 (28)

A Zampa6-0-29-0

32.60

Goes short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and nudges it wide of short mid-wicket where the fielder dives to his right to make a good stop.

32.51

Looped up, full and on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi drills it uppishly but safely wide of the bowler towards long on for a run.

32.41

Flighted, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it towards long off for a single.

32.30

Pushed through quicker, short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran stabs it towards short covers again, Three dots in a row now!

32.20

Floated, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it straight to short covers.

32.10

Tossed up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran knocks it off the bottom edge back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 32 overs : 155/2

H Shahidi19 (27)

I Zadran78 (96)

J Hazlewood6-0-24-1

31.60

Swing and a miss! Josh Hazlewood goes a bit fuller this time, on middle and leg, angling in, Hashmatullah Shahidi uses his feet and has a wild swipe across the line but fails to connect.

31.50

Good bowling! Josh Hazlewood lands this on a hard length and around off, nips away a bit, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to steer it away but gets beaten on the outside edge.

31.41

Pitches this one up and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it towards short covers where Mitchell Marsh misfields and allows the run.

31.30

Touch fuller, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran steps across and knocks it towards mid on.

31.20

On a legth and around off, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it towards short covers.

31.11

Short of a length and on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi pulls it towards deep square leg for a single.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 31 overs : 153/2

H Shahidi18 (24)

I Zadran77 (93)

A Zampa5-0-27-0

30.61

Shorter in length and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi moves back and punches it through covers for one.

30.54

FOUR! Nice use of the feet! Adam Zampa flights this one up again and on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi skips down the track and shows the full face of the bat to loft it over the bowler's head as the filder from long on runs to his right and dives but fails to stop it from going to the fence for another boundary.

30.51wd

Fires this one full but down the leg side, Hashmatullah Shahidi misses his flick as Josh Inglis collects it and takes the bails off quickly. The umpires want to check for stumping but before that UltraEdge shows nothing and the replay shows that the foot is grounded. Shahidi is safe and it will remain as a wide.

30.40

Flatter, full and on middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi defends it on the front foot.

30.31

A bit short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran punches it towards extra covers where the fielder only manages to parry it to his left and allows the single.

30.20

Tossed up, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it back to the bowler.

30.14

FOUR! Up and over! This is flighted, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran goes down and frees his arms to smash it over extra covers for a boundary.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 30 overs : 142/2

I Zadran72 (90)

H Shahidi13 (21)

J Hazlewood5-0-22-1

29.61

Hits the length outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball from the crease towards sweepers and runs a single.

29.51

Just short on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi tucks the ball to the left of mid-wicket and takes a single.

29.41

Hits the good length outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran gets a thick outside edge while pushing at the ball to third man and the batters take a run.

29.31

Just short outside the off. Hashmatullah Shahidi jumps up and flicks the ball to deep square leg for a single.

29.22

Hits the good length hard on the middle stump line. Hashmatullah Shahidi steps down the track and heaves it to the left of mid on and runs a couple off the mis field.

29.10

Bowls one outside the leg stump. The ball hits the pads of Hashmatullah Shahidi and goes through to the wicket keeper.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 29 overs : 136/2

I Zadran70 (88)

H Shahidi9 (17)

G Maxwell8-0-34-1

28.60

Pitched up on the off stumps. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball straight back to the bowler to end the over.

28.51lb

On the pads down the leg side. The ball flicks the thigh pads of Hashmatullah Shahidi and rolls down to short fine leg. The batters take a single.

28.40

Pitched up slow on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi offers a front foot defence.

28.31

Tossed up on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball to long on and takes a single.

28.21

Pitched up again on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi takes a leg out and pushes the ball to long off for a single.

28.10

Tossed up on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes the ball straight to covers.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 28 overs : 133/2

H Shahidi8 (13)

I Zadran69 (86)

P Cummins5-0-21-0

27.61

Short ball again on the body and Hashmatullah Shahidi pulls one down the ground to long leg and runs a single to end the over.

27.50

Hits the deck hard on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi stays on the crease and blocks the ball to point.

27.40

Pitched up on the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes the ball off the front foot straight to covers.

27.30

Another good short ball on top of the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi ducks and lets the ball go.

27.24

FOUR! Hashmatullah Shahidi says enough to the short balls. Pat Cummins with another bouncer at the body of Hashmatullah Shahidi who pulls it this time getting a top edge over the wicket keeper for his first boundary of the innings.

27.10

Short ball to start with at the body of the batter. Hashmatullah Shahidi ducks down and lets the ball go through.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 27 overs : 128/2

I Zadran69 (86)

H Shahidi3 (7)

G Maxwell7-0-32-1

26.62

Pitched up outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball into the covers gap and runs a couple to end the over.

26.50

Tossed up on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran offers a front foot defence back to the bowler.

26.40

Just short outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball straight to covers.

26.30

Pitched up on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran punches the ball back to the bowler.

26.21

Pitched up on the leg stump this time. Hashmatullah Shahidi flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket and runs a single.

26.11

Just short at the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran punches the ball down to long on for a single.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 26 overs : 124/2

H Shahidi2 (6)

I Zadran66 (81)

P Cummins4-0-16-0

25.60

A perfect yorker on the stumps. Hashmatullah Shahidi flicks it late but straight to square leg. End of the over.

25.50

Short ball again outside the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi stands tall and lets the ball go through.

25.41

Just short on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball from the crease to sweepers for a single.

25.30

Hits the good length hard outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran takes the front foot out and blocks the ball back to the bowler.

25.21

Short again at the batter. Hashmatullah Shahidi pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

25.10

Short ball outside the off stump. Hashmatullah Shahidi lets the ball go through.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 25 overs : 122/2

H Shahidi1 (2)

I Zadran65 (79)

G Maxwell6-0-28-1

24.61

Pitched up on the off stump and Hashmatullah Shahidi pushes the ball off the front foot to long off and takes a single to open his account.

24.50

Just short at the batter. Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks the ball from the crease.

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the skipper of Afghanistan comes out to the middle now.

24.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! There is the wicket Australia was looking for. It is Rahmat Shah who has to depart to Glenn Maxwell. Glenn Maxwell pitches the ball slow and up on the off stump and Rahmat Shah jumps at it and lofts it over on the off side. Rahmat Shah stops his swing of the bat in the middle which takes the ball straight into the hand of the Australian skipper Pat Cummins standing at long off who takes an easy catch in the end. Afghanistan lose their second wicket.

24.31

Flat and short on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball to long on from the crease and runs a single.

24.22

Short ball again on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pulls it over mid-wicket to the right of long on and runs a couple.

24.11

Short ball on off stump, punched away to long off for a single.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 24 overs : 117/1

R Shah29 (42)

I Zadran62 (77)

M Stoinis1-0-2-0

23.61

Takes a single off the last ball by driving a good length ball on the stumps to long on to end the over.

23.50

Pitched up again on the off stump this time. Rahmat Shah takes a leg out and pushes the ball straight back to the bowler for another dot ball for the over.

23.40

Pitched up again on the off stump this time. Rahmat Shah takes a leg out and pushes the ball straight back to the bowler.

23.30

Pitched up on the stumps. Rahmat Shah pushes the ball straight to mid on off the front foot.

23.21

Just short on the pads, flicked away from the crease for a single towards deep square leg by Ibrahim Zadran.

23.10

Hits the length hard on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran watchfully blocks it off.

Marcus Stoinis comes into the attack now.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 23 overs : 115/1

I Zadran61 (75)

R Shah28 (38)

G Maxwell5-0-23-0

22.61

Just short again on the stumps, flicked away to deep square leg for a single.

22.50

Pitched up on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran plays the front foot defence at the ball.

22.41

Another short ball at the stumps. Rahmat Shah pushes the ball to long on and takes a run.

22.31

Short ball on the leg stump, pushes to long on for a single.

22.21

Pitched up on the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single.

22.10

Just short from around the wicket on the middle stump. Rahmat Shah rocks back and pushes the ball back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 22 overs : 111/1

R Shah26 (35)

I Zadran59 (72)

T Head2-0-11-0

21.61

just short at the lef stump line. Rahmat Shah pushes the ball to long on and takes a single to end the over.

21.50

Pitched up on the stumps. Rahmat Shah offers a front foot defence.

21.42

Pitched up on the off stump. Rahmat Shah plays the reverse sweep to the left of short third man and runs a couple.

21.34

FOUR! That is a good shot to release some pressure by Rahmat Shah. Travis Head pitches the ball up on the off stump and Rahmat Shah dances down the track and lofts the ball over mid off with ease for a well needed boundary.

21.20

Pitched up on the leg stump. Rahmat Shah gets an inside edge on the pads. No run.

21.11

Tossed up on the leg stump. Ibrahim Zadran steps out and flicks the ball to short fine leg and runs a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 21 overs : 103/1

I Zadran58 (71)

R Shah19 (30)

A Zampa4-0-16-0

20.61

Pitched up on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball to long off and takes a run to end the over.

20.50

Tossed up on the pads. Ibrahim Zadran gets a hit on the pads outside the leg stump. No run.

20.41

Pitched up on the leg stump line. Rahmat Shah drives the ball to long on and runs a single.

20.31

Tossed up on the pads, driven away to long on for a single.

20.21

Short ball at the stumps. Rahmat Shah cuts the ball to sweepers for a single. 100 up for Afghanistan!

20.10

Tossed up just outside the off stump. Rahmat Shah goes back and cuts the ball straight to point.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 99/1

I Zadran56 (68)

R Shah17 (27)

T Head1-0-3-0

19.60

Shortish once again, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran nudges it straight to square leg again.

19.50

Drags his length back again, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran gently tucks it towards wide of square leg where the fielder moves to his right to collect it.

19.40

Floated, full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it down the pitch where Travis Head goes down to stop it well.

19.31

Another short delivery, on middle, Rahmat Shah uses his feet and works it towards long on for another run.

19.21

Short again and around middle, Ibrahim Zadran moves back and clips it towards deep square leg for a run.

19.11

Travis Head begins with a short delivery, on middle, Rahmat Shah flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 96/1

R Shah15 (25)

I Zadran55 (64)

A Zampa3-0-12-0

18.61

A bit of a mix-up but no harm done! This is short and around off, Rahmat Shah punches it towards covers and calls for the run, there is some hesitation but the batters gets across for the run in the end.

18.50

Slower through the air, full and on middle, Rahmat Shah strides forward and blocks it out solidly.

18.41

Flighted, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drills it through covers for a run.

18.31

Floated, full and on off, Rahmat Shah once again comes down the track and lofts it wide of long off for a single.

18.20

Flatter, short and on middle, Rahmat Shah forces it back to the bowler.

18.10

Tossed up, short and around off, Rahmat Shah uses his feet but has to adjust a bit and keeps it out to the off side.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 93/1

I Zadran54 (63)

R Shah13 (20)

M Starc5-0-35-0

17.62

Overpitched and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it wide of sweeper covers for a brace.

17.61wd

Starc does not want to finish this over it seems! He bowls this full again but this time way outside off, Ibrahim Zadran offers no short at it. Another wide given!

17.61wd

Goes fuller but way down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran leaves it alone. Third wide of the over.

17.54

FOUR! FIFTY FOR ZADRAN! A fine knock from him and he finally converts one of his starts into a half-century. He will look to make it big now. This is short of a length and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran slashes at it hard and gets an outside edge past the diving keeper toward the third man fence for a boundary.

17.51wd

Mitchell Starc is struggling with his line here as he bowls another good-length delivery down the leg side, Ibrahim Zadran misses to help it away. It is called a wide again.

17.41

Overpitched and outside off, Rahmat Shah throws his bat at it and gets a bottom edge behind where Josh Inglis dives to his right this time and parries it away. They cross.

17.30

This is on a hard length and around leg, Rahmat Shah misses his flick as the ball loops off his pads to the keeper where Josh Inglis dives to his left to grab it.

17.31wd

Mitchell Starc loses his line and bowls this on a good length but down the leg side, Rahmat Shah misses his glance. Wided.

17.21

On a length and on off, Ibrahim Zadran steers it towards third man for a run.

17.11

Fuller and around off, Rahmat Shah drives it through covers for a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 80/1

I Zadran47 (60)

R Shah11 (17)

A Zampa2-0-9-0

16.60

Slower through the air, full and on middle, turns away a bit, Ibrahim Zadran leans on and keeps it out in front of short covers.

16.50

Quicker delivery, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran prods forward and blocks it out.

16.41

Flighted, full and on middle, Rahmat Shah backs away and eases it towards long off for one.

16.31

Fires this one in full and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it towards long on for another run.

16.21

A bit short and around middle, Rahmat Shah moves back and punches it towards sweeper covers for a run.

16.11

Tossed up, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it through covers for a single.

DRINKS! It's time for drinks after 16 overs in the first innings with Afghanistan 76/1 and looking to build up a crucial partnership. Australia is still in the hunt to pick up wickets. Will the mighty Aussies get through the middle order of Afghanistan or will the batters thrive and put a challenging total on the board, lets find out after the break.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 76/1

I Zadran45 (56)

R Shah9 (15)

M Starc4-0-22-0

15.61

This is pitched up and around off, Ibrahim Zadran drills it toward sweeper covers for one.

15.50

Touch fuller but on the pads this time, Ibrahim Zadran clips it towards short mid-wicket.

15.40

BEATEN! Mitchell Starc lands this on a good length and just around off, angling away once more, Ibrahim Zadran tries to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

15.31

Pulls his length back now, on off, Rahmat Shah punches it through covers for a run.

15.20

Full again and on middle, Rahmat Shah looks to drive but gets a bottom edge towards mid on.

15.11

Full and on off, angling away, Ibrahim Zadran looks to play but gets an outside edge along the ground towards third man for a single.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 73/1

I Zadran43 (52)

R Shah8 (13)

A Zampa1-0-5-0

14.61

Quicker one, too full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran once again easily drives it towards long off for one more.

14.50

Flighted, full and on middle again, Ibrahim Zadran leans on and tucks it towards short mid-wicket.

14.41

Flatter, full and on middle, Rahmat Shah knocks it towards long off for one.

14.31

Another full toss, on off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it wide of long off for another run.

14.21

Tossed up, full and around leg, Rahmat Shah eases it towards long on for a run.

14.11

Adam Zampa starts with low full toss, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran drills it towards long off for a single.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 68/1

I Zadran40 (48)

R Shah6 (11)

P Cummins3-0-14-0

13.61

Goes a bit fuller again and around off, Ibrahim Zadran guides it towards third man for one.

13.50

Short of a length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran dabs it towards point.

13.42

Touch fuller and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran slices it through backward point as the fielder from third man runs to his right and dives to make a good stop. A couple of runs added to the total.

13.30

This is on a good length and around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets behind the line of it and blocks it back to the bowler.

13.24

FOUR! Deft touch! Pat Cummins bangs this one into the pitch, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran sways away from it and opens the face of the bat at the last moment to ramp it over the keeper's head for a booundary.

13.10

Change of pace from Cummins, on a length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran pushes it towards short covers.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 61/1

R Shah6 (11)

I Zadran33 (42)

G Maxwell4-0-19-0

12.60

Glenn Maxwell sees the batter advance and drags his length back, on off, angling away, Rahmat Shah only manages to knock it back to the bowler in the end.

12.51

Goes short again and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and drags it towards deep square leg for one.

12.41

Tossed up, full and on middle, Rahmat Shah tucks it through mid-wicket for another run.

12.31

Short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran moves back and punches it towards long on for a run.

12.21

Floated, full and no middle, Rahmat Shah uses his feet and lofts it wide of long on for a single.

12.10

Quicker, short and on middle, turning in, Rahmat Shah keeps it out to the leg side.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 57/1

I Zadran31 (40)

R Shah4 (7)

P Cummins2-0-7-0

11.60

Sharp bouncer! Pat Cummins bangs this one short and around middle, Ibrahim Zadran ducks under it.

11.50

A slower delivery now, full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran taps it towards point.

11.40

Length again, on middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran pats it down towards short mid-wicket.

11.31

On a length and around off, Rahmat Shah runs it down to third man for a run.

11.20

Fuller one this time, on middle, Rahmat Shah mistimes his drives towards mid on.

11.11

This is on a good length and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran works it off the inner half of the bat towards square leg for a single.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 55/1

R Shah3 (5)

I Zadran30 (36)

G Maxwell3-0-15-0

10.62

Goes back to his shorter length and on off again, Rahmat Shah punches it nicely off the back foot wide of mid off where Mitchell Starc slides to his left to stop it. Two runs taken.

10.51

Tossed up, full and around off, Ibrahim Zadran eases it towards wide of long off for another run.

10.40

Another short delivery, on middle, Ibrahim Zadran clips it towards square leg.

10.34

FOUR! Nicely played! Glenn Maxwell drags his length back, outside off this time, Ibrahim Zadran moves back and opens the face of the bat to carve it through point for a boundary.

10.21

Short again and around middle, Rahmat Shah forces it towards long on for a run.

10.11

Short and on middle, Ibrahim Zadran moves back and punches it towards mid on for a single.

Powerplay 2! Australia can now have two more fielders outside the inner ring till the 40th over. However, they may look to keep a couple of players inside to put pressure on the new batter.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 46/1

R Shah0 (3)

I Zadran24 (32)

P Cummins1-0-5-0

9.60

Hits the good length outside the off stump. Rahmat Shah offers a front foot defence straight to covers to end the first Power Play of the innings.

9.51

Just short at the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran taps the ball on the crease. The wicket keeper picks it up and throws the ball at the stumps and the batters run a single off the over throw.

9.40

Hits the good length outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran offers the front foot defence straight to covers.

9.30

Pitched up outside the off stump again. Ibrahim Zadran pushes at it again but straight to covers this time.

9.24

FOUR! Glorious short off the front foot by Ibrahim Zadran. That is a beautiful cover drive. Pat Cummins pitches the ball up outside the off stump and Ibrahim Zadran takes the front foot out and creams the ball between covers and point for a boundary.

9.10

Pitched up outside the off stump, blocks off the front foot to point by Ibrahim Zadran.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 41/1

R Shah0 (2)

I Zadran19 (27)

G Maxwell2-0-6-0

8.60

Pitched up outside the off stump. Rahmat Shah pushes the ball straight to point off the back foot to end the over.

8.50

Tossed up on the stumps. Rahmat Shah flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

8.41

Short ball at the batter and Ibrahim Zadran pulls the ball to deep square leg for a single.

8.32

Pitched up outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran lofts one over mid off and the batters run a couple.

8.20

Tossed up on the stumps. The baller pushes the ball back to the bowler.

8.10

Pitched up on the pads, flicked away to short fine leg.

Rahmat Shah walks out to bat number 3.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 38/1

R Gurbaz21 (25)

I Zadran16 (23)

J Hazlewood4-0-16-1

7.6W

OUT! CAUGHT! There is the wicket Australia was looking for. Short ball doing the trick once again for the Australian fast bowlers. Josh Hazlewood bangs on short at the body of Rahmanullah Gurbaz who pulls the ball from the crease and does not look to keep it down but also does not go fully through the shot. The ball finds itself straight into the hands of Mitchell Starc standing at deep square leg who moves forward to pouch it safely. Afghanistan lose their first wicket.

7.51

Hits good length outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran plays it late to third man and runs a single.

7.40

Hits the good length hard with the ball coming in after pitching. Ibrahim Zadran looks to defend the ball but gets beaten between bat and pads due to the movement. The ball hits his pants and goes back to the wicketkeeper. There is a huge appeal for LBW and the umpire says no. Australia take the review and the UltraEdge shows no bat involved.

7.34

FOUR! What a shot off the back foot. That is bad ball by Josh Hazlewood missing the line of the bouncer. Bowls one outside the leg stump. Ibrahim Zadran moves back and pulls the ball over the short fine-leg fielder to pick up a boundary.

7.20

Just short on top of the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran waits back and defends the ball straight to covers.

7.10

Starts off with the good length ball on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran takes the front foot out and blocks the ball straight to point.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 33/0

R Gurbaz21 (24)

I Zadran11 (18)

G Maxwell1-0-3-0

6.60

Pitched up on the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes the ball straight to covers on the off side to end the over.

6.51

Just short at the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran pulls it away to deep square leg for a single.

6.40

Pitched up, flat on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran offers a block at it from the crease.

6.31

Short ball on the off stump line. Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes back and pushes the ball to long on for a single.

6.21

Pitched up again on the stumps. Ibrahim Zadran flicks the ball to the left of short fine and runs a single.

6.10

Pitched up on the off stump with a little bit of turn. Ibrahim Zadran flicks the ball straight to short fine leg.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 30/0

R Gurbaz20 (22)

I Zadran9 (14)

J Hazlewood3-0-11-0

5.60

Bowls at the good length again on the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks the ball off the front foot to end the over.

5.51

Hits the good length again on the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran plays at it late towards third man and runs a single.

5.40

Pitched up on the middle stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball straight into the hands of mid on.

5.41wd

Wide! Wayward outside the leg stump, short ball.

5.31

Hits the good length on the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz drops the ball on the crease off the front foot and the batters run a risky single from Josh Hazlewood who could not hit the batting side stumps on the first go.

5.20

Short ball outside the off stump this time. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks the pull the ball into the leg side but misses out on the contact.

5.10

Hits the good length on the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays it straight to covers off the front foot.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 27/0

R Gurbaz19 (18)

I Zadran8 (12)

M Starc3-0-19-0

4.61

Pitched up on the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes the ball straight to mid off and runs a quick single to end the over.

4.54

FOUR! Thats gonna hurt Australia and Mitchell Starc. Short ball on the body of the batter with no protection behind with fine leg inside the circle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz helps the ball on the way and finds a boundary at the deep fine leg boundary.

4.40

Pitched up, swinging away from the length. Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes the front foot out and pushes the ball straight to short covers.

4.31

Hits the good length on top of the middle stump. Ibrahim Zadran taps the ball to deep square leg and runs a single.

4.21

Pitched up again on the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes at it getting an inside edge to short fine leg for a single.

4.10

Swing and a miss outside the off stump. Mitchell Starc pitches one wide outside off and Rahmanullah Gurbaz swings his bat with no contact with the ball.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 20/0

R Gurbaz13 (13)

I Zadran7 (11)

J Hazlewood2-0-8-0

3.61

On a length and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz guides it with the outer half of the bat towards third man for one.

3.54

FOUR! Lovely shot! Josh Hazlewood serves this full again and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz leans on a bit and opens the face of the bat to drive it firmly through extra covers for a boundary.

3.40

Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it down the pitch.

3.30

Short of a length and around middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz hops up and keeps it down well to the leg side.

3.22

This is on a good length and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz opens the face of the bat and steers it wide of point where Glenn Maxwell gets a hand to it which slows down the ball. Two runs taken.

3.10

Hits the good length on top of the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz blocks it away off the front foot.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 13/0

I Zadran7 (11)

R Gurbaz6 (7)

M Starc2-0-12-0

2.64

FOUR! That is smashed on the off side, bringing up the first boundary of the Afghanistan innings. Mitchell Starc pitches one up outside the off stump and Ibrahim Zadran takes the front foot out and creams the ball between covers and point. The ball races to the boundary with no one moving from their position.

2.50

Pulls the length back a little on the same line. Ibrahim Zadran offers a defence back to the bowler.

2.40

Hits the good length on top of the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran blocks it from the crease.

2.33

Pitched up on the stumps, swinging in. Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks the ball between mid on and mid-wicket and the batters run 3 till the time Travis Head fields the ball well to save a run for Australia.

2.20

One nipping back in from the good length on top of the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to work it on the on side but the ball hits straight to his inner thigh.

2.10

Bowls one outside the off stump from over the wicket angle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz lets the ball go through.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 6/0

I Zadran3 (8)

R Gurbaz3 (4)

J Hazlewood1-0-1-0

1.60

Short and wide outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran misses out and he cuts the ball straight to cover point to end the over.

1.50

Pitched further up outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran pushes the ball off the front foot straight to covers.

1.40

Good length ball again just outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran takes the front foot out and blocks the ball back to the bowler.

1.30

Hits the good length hard on top of the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran offers a front foot defence back to the bowler.

1.21

Pitched up again on the off stump. Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes the ball to mid on and takes a quick single.

1.10

Hits the good length just outside the off stump. No swing to be seen yet from Josh Hazlewood. Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays at the crease expecting the ball to come in and gets beaten outside the off stump.

Josh Hazlewood to take the other new ball.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 5/0

I Zadran3 (4)

R Gurbaz2 (2)

M Starc1-0-5-0

0.60

Pitched up outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran plays a brilliant cover drive but straight to the fielder at cover point.

0.51

Pitched up on the off stump with a hint of in swing. Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps the ball to the right of covers and takes a quick single.

0.43

On the pads from the good length, swinging in. Ibrahim Zadran flicks the ball through square leg as Adam Zampa from fine leg runs to his right to collect it. The batter picks up three runs.

0.30

That is a beauty just outside the off stump. Hits the good length hard and the ball shapes away after pitching, completely beating Ibrahim Zadran through to the wicketkeeper.

0.20

Pitches full outside the off stump. Ibrahim Zadran lets the ball go through off the front foot.

0.11

Starts off with a good length ball outside the off stump, swinging in to the right hander. Rahmanullah Gurbaz plays at it late to third man and runs a single. Afghanistan are off the mark on the big day.

Done with the pre-match formalities! We can see the Australian players spread out and take their respective field positions. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran are the two openers for Afghanistan. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

We are moments away from the game but before that, players from both sides make their way out in the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be Afghanistan's first followed by the national anthem of Australia.

Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia says they would have batted first as well. Adds that he is really happy with the team winning five in a row and they have used 14 players and every player has contributed well. Tells that the weather will play a part as it is much cooler and the decision to go with an extra batter in their squad don't affect them much as they have plenty of bowling options. Informs Cameron Green and Steven Smith missed out while Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell make their way back in the team.

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the skipper of Afghanistan says they want to bat first as the wicket looks good for batting and they would like to put runs on the board. He adds by saying that the decision has been made keeping every aspect in mind along with the ground conditions up in hand. He extended his happiness of meeting the great Sachin Tendulkar before the start of the game and mentioned that he had a lot of points to share with the team. In the end, informs that they have one change in the team as Naveen-ul-Haq comes in for Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Australia (Playing XI) - Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (In place of Steven Smith), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (WK), Glenn Maxwell (In place of Cameron Green), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Ikram Alikhil (WK), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq (In place of Fazalhaq Farooqi).

TOSS - Afghanistan have won the toss and they have elected to BAT first.

UPDATE - Steven Smith experienced some symptoms of vertigo last night which has troubled him before, and he also didn't look quite right in the practice sessions just before the match. This is another blow for the Aussies as Smith is doubtful for this game.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, have played some exceptional cricket in this World Cup and they have proved a lot of people wrong with their courage and determination. Their batting has been excellent with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran being very dependable openers and scoring a lot of runs while Rahmat Shah has scored three fifties on the bounce and will look to continue his form and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has also played some decent knocks. Their middle order haven't been tested that much but whenever they have been, they have struggled a bit and that is an area they will look to improve. Their bowling has been really good with three world-class spinners Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman while the pacers Naveen-ul-Haq, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Fazalhaq Farooqi has supported them well too. They are riding high on confidence but this will be a really tough challenge and if they manage to get over the line here, it will be the best moment in their cricket history. Will they be able to do the unthinkable? Or will the Aussies prove to be too hard for them? We will find out soon. Toss and team news in a bit.

Australia have recovered brilliantly after a shaky start to this World Cup. David Warner and Mitchell Marsh had been giving them the good starts but the latter missed the last game due to personal reasons while Glenn Maxwell also did not play due to a minor injury and it will be interesting to see whether they come back or not. However, the return of Travis Head has been very effective for them while their middle order also got runs in the last game. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Adam Zampa all have made important contributions with the ball and skipper Pat Cummins will hope that everything falls in place again and they get the all important victory.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of a crucial World Cup match between Australia and Afghanistan. Before the start of this mega event no one would have thought that the Afghans would still be in contention for a semi-final spot while playing their last league game but that is the case here and they cannot be taken lightly while the Aussies will just want to continue their winning momentum and confirm their place in the top four.

... MATCH DAY ...