Rematches between two titans of the game can have immense ramifications for both teams involved – they may sway tournament standings and alter narratives for both squads involved.
Sediqullah Atal’s 85-ball knock is indicative of Afghanistan’s growing batting depth; however, their 273 may not be sufficient against Australia in a final chase; therefore a washout may provide them with the edge needed to secure their semi-final place.
In this article, we will discuss the main points or high lights of Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Timeline.
Top Run-Scorers
| Rank | Player | Team | Runs | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | 4s | 6s | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz | Afghanistan | 60 | 49 | 122.44 | 4 | 4 | 60 |
| 2 | Ibrahim Zadran | Afghanistan | 51 | 42 | 121.43 | 5 | 2 | 51 |
| 3 | Glenn Maxwell | Australia | 59 | 41 | 143.90 | 6 | 3 | 59 |
| 4 | David Warner | Australia | 16 | 14 | 114.29 | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| 5 | Mitchell Marsh | Australia | 14 | 10 | 140.00 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
Note: Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 60 and Ibrahim Zadran’s 51 were pivotal in Afghanistan’s strong total. ESPN Cricinfo
Top Wicket-Takers
| Rank | Player | Team | Overs | Wickets | Economy Rate | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gulbadin Naib | Afghanistan | 4 | 4 | 5.00 | 4/20 |
| 2 | Naveen-ul-Haq | Afghanistan | 4 | 3 | 5.00 | 3/20 |
| 3 | Pat Cummins | Australia | 4 | 3 | 7.00 | 3/28 |
| 4 | Adam Zampa | Australia | 4 | 2 | 7.00 | 2/28 |
| 5 | Rashid Khan | Afghanistan | 4 | 1 | 8.00 | 1/30 |
Afghanistan vs Australia
Afghanistan and Australia clash at Junction Oval for another chance at semi-final qualification in the Champions Trophy tournament. Both have secured one victory so far during group stages play – this game could decide their fate!
Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and played to his side’s strengths, opting to bat first. While Afghanistan’s openers struggled initially, Sediqullah Atal’s counterattacking innings enabled them to pass 270. Although missing out on reaching 100 runs himself, Atal was instrumental in keeping momentum alive while showing the caliber of players Afghanistan possess in their batting lineup.
Afghan bowlers delivered, restricting Australia to just over 200 runs on the board. Spinners Yamin Ahmadzai and Mohammad Nabi performed exceptionally, with Mohammad Nabi in particular picking up three wickets – it was an admirable effort from home but never seemed likely.
Matthew Short is currently batsman in for Australia and they’ve taken control of this match. When presented with short balls he punches it towards midwicket for one run before pulling an even longer ball back towards fine leg and scoring again for one single run.
However, after consulting with the umpires and noting the damp outfield conditions, cricket will not resume at this time.
An unlikely washout would see Australia go top of the table and secure their semi-final berth, although Afghanistan would need help from South Africa to qualify, given their net run rate is significantly superior than Afghanistan’s.
The pitch looks good despite some green areas, though there may be scoring opportunities due to square boundaries extending between 73m and 64m. A light breeze is blowing in as well – stay tuned for updates.
Match Scorecard
On Friday, Afghanistan faces off against India in their last group match of the ICC Champions Trophy and this match carries immense importance both historically and due to any ongoing political tensions between both nations.
Australia appear in control of this game despite the rain. A win would put them safely into the semi-finals with four points from three matches; drawing will secure them top position; while defeat would leave them on just one point and pose an enormous hurdle to overcome if they hope to reach the final eight.
Weather continues to play havoc, leaving an outfield damp from overnight rainstorms; umpires will conduct an inspection to assess whether or not the pitch can still be considered playable in the end.
Fazalhaq Farooqi began Australia’s innings by immediately finding some late swing with his opening delivery, skimming off Travis Head’s pads for four leg byes and skittering towards fine leg for another four byes. A half-tracker soon after provided Smith an opportunity to play the shot through to fine leg for another four runs.
Short returns with another pulled six over midwicket as he attempts to clear the ropes with the ball, only for it to miss the fielder and fall short, ultimately dismissing for 20 off 15 balls.
Nathan Ellis brings Nathan Short into the attack. Short begins on his back foot and flicks a short ball towards square leg for a single. On his next delivery he punches hard towards deep square leg to claim another single.
Australia would need another four-wicket haul and victory against a determined Afghan side to progress into the semifinals, following South Africa’s washed-out match and their subsequent draw with Afghanistan. A point for either team would have secured their passage; unfortunately this did not materialise, leaving Afghanistan on the verge of elimination with only victory being enough to keep them alive; otherwise a loss in this game against Australia will send them home.
Predictions
Afghanistan would benefit greatly from an upset victory against Australia in their bid to make the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy, although Australia are one of the premier ODI cricket teams with an intimidating bowling lineup and are expected to present tough competition. But Afghanistan are in good spirits after having beat England convincingly last time out and should come into this match with plenty of optimism and confidence.
Ibrahim Zadran will be an important piece for Afghanistan in this match against Australia. After making history against England with an outstanding 177-ball innings performance, he’ll look to repeat that performance against Australia. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan can also prove troublesome for Australia’s batting line-up.
Australia, on the other hand, have much to prove after a slow start in this tournament. They are without star players like Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Marcus Stoinis; as well as having an inexperienced middle order that makes batting vulnerable against spin. Although their bowlers possess experience, Australia could use help in this regard.
Lahore has long been known to provide both teams with an ideal playing surface, so an exciting, high-scoring encounter should ensue at this venue. Over the last ten ODIs here, five have seen chasing teams claim victory.
Spencer Johnson has made quick work of his debut performance, taking two wickets quickly in an initial burst aimed at left-handed batters – particularly Zadran.
Adam Zampa can make life tough for Afghan batting by controlling run-rate and taking wickets during middle overs. He impressed in his limited overs debut against England, so will look to replicate that performance again here.
Australia are favourites to win this match against Afghanistan despite losing against South Africa earlier in the tournament. They hold an advantage against Afghanistan and victory will secure them a spot in the semi-finals. A loss, on the other hand, would see them out of contention and eliminate any chance they have of making it to the final four.
Analysis
Afghanistan Cricket Team made waves across the global sporting scene with their remarkable showing at this tournament. Although Afghanistan may not be widely known for their sporting abilities, their World Cup win against Scotland won many supporters to their cause.
Success of Afghanistan female cricket has also inspired women to pursue careers in cricket; Mel Jones was among them and helped 19 Afghan female players escape their homelands and move to Australia via a journey resembling those seen in Jason Bourne films.
Afghanistan will likely field the same XI that defeated England on Wednesday and is confident of building on that performance against reigning champion Australia in an ODI match-up. Afghanistan have won both meetings between these teams so far.
Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first, capitalizing on Afghanistan’s strengths by opting to bat first. At first glance, this decision did not appear misguided with Ibrahim Zadran starting off brightly (22). But Sediqullah Atal quickly took control, pushing Afghanistan past 250 and smashing several sixes off spinners Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell before eventually retiring for an excellent 177 against England.
At the end of it all, however, rain halted play prematurely and umpires called off play as play was all but finished at 11.4 overs.
Abandonment means Australia will progress directly to the semi-finals while Afghanistan must rely on miracles if they want any chance at all of making the semis. They require England to beat South Africa in their final match and for Proteas’ net run rate to fall below that of Afghanistan – no easy feat in reality; rather it would likely involve massive efforts from all corners of cricketing life to do just that!
