T20 World Cup: Live coverage of Australia’s super-eights clash with Afghanistan

Chris Robinson
The West Australian
Gulbadin Naib of Afghanistan celebrates after dismissing Glenn Maxwell.
Gulbadin Naib of Afghanistan celebrates after dismissing Glenn Maxwell. Credit: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Australia will have to get to the T20 World Cup semifinals the hard way after a remarkable upset at the hands of Afghanistan.

Recap the events of the stunning upset below.

Chris Robinson

After 1 over: Afghanistan 0-5

Tidy start from Agar, with plenty of turn and bounce evident.

One ball gets past everybody after turning sharply - including going past Matthew Wade’s gloves and down to the rope for four byes.

It’ll be Hazlewood to start from the other end.

Chris Robinson

Ready to go

It’s going to be Agar to open the bowling, as he did against Scotland this time a week ago.

His first over on that occasion ended with a wicket... the West Aussie would dearly love to do the same here as Rahmanullah Guzbaz gets set to face. Here we go!

Chris Robinson

Stat of note

A quirk around Australia’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss...

All three chasing teams at this ground during this tournament have lost.

Will we see Mitch Marsh’s side buck the trend here? The anthems are done and players are getting set to, with the first ball in five minutes.

Chris Robinson

State of play

India comfortably accounted for Bangladesh overnight, meaning both they and Australia will be in separate semi-finals should the Aussies prevail.

If Australia lose, they may have to beat India in their final super-eights game to progress, depending on net run rate.

Chris Robinson

Full XIs

AUSTRALIA: Warner, Head, Marsh, Maxwell, Stoinis, David, Wade, Agar, Cummins, Zampa, Hazlewood.

AFGHANISTAN: Gurbaz, Zadran, Naib, Omarzai, Nabi, Janat, Kharote, Khan, Ahmad, Naveen, Farooqi.

Chris Robinson

Team news

There’s a bit of a surprise here: Mitchell Starc is out.

But looking a little closer and it’s not too much of a shock. Kingstown is the most spin-friendly of all the Carribean wickets, and it’s Ashton Agar who comes in to give the extra support for Adam Zampa.

The Aussies are otherwise unchanged.

Chris Robinson

Welcome

Hello and welcome to this second super-eights clash for Australia!

They’ve won the toss and opted to chase against Afghanistan, with an Aussie win set to secure their spot in the semi-finals.

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