Super 12 Group 1: Australia beat Afghanistan in a thrilling encounter

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 Australia kept their hopes alive of reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup with a thrilling win over Afghanistan played at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi won the toss and decided to field first. David Warner put enough pressure on Mujeeb Ur Rahman with lovely shots keeping the momentum going for Australia. Farooqi got the early breakthrough dismissing Cameron Green with a lovely catch to Gulbdain Naib at first slips.

Warner showed intent to keep the momentum going along with Mitchell Marsh. Naveen UL Haq dismissed Warner trying to play reverse and was clean bowled. Naveen grabbed his 2nd wicket getting rid of Steve Smith in front of the stumps. At the end of the first six overs, Australia made 52 for 3.

Mitchell Marsh looked in cracking touch along with Glenn Maxwell. Both Australian batters showed intent before Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Marsh providing an easy catch to Gurbaz. Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh added 34 runs for the 4th wicket. Marcus Stoinis and Maxwell kept the pressure on Afghanistan bowlers with big shots. Rashid Khan got the big wicket of Stoinis with an easy catch to Ghani. Maxwell and Stoinis added 53 runs for the 5th wicket. Maxwell looked in control completing fifty off 29 balls.

Afghanistan bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals in the last few overs. At the end of 20 overs, Australia posted 168 for 8.

Chasing 169 runs to win, Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed intent right from word go especially against Australian pacers. Hazlewood struck getting rid of Ghani caught by Cummins. Gurbaz kept pressure with lusty hits before Kane Richardson dismissed him as Warner took a simple catch. At the end of the first six overs, Afghanistan made 47 for 2.

Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbdain Naib kept the momentum with singles and hitting boundaries to keep on course with the run rate. A stunning direct hit by Maxwell resulted in Naib’s run out. Naib and Zadran added 59 runs for the 3rd wicket. Zampa struck twice in succession dismissing Ibrahim and Najibullah Zadran to leave Afghanistan on the backfoot.

Hazlewood struck to dismiss Afghanistan captain Nabi with a simple catch to Warner leaving Afghanistan on the brink. Rashid Khan showed his courage by taking on Australian bowlers with big shots along with Rasooli. The match went right down the wire as Rasooli was run out while giving strike to Rashid Khan. Khan and Rasooli added 45 runs for the 7th wicket.

Rashid Khan’s brilliant effort came in vain as Afghanistan fell short of the target by just 4 runs. With 20 runs required off the final over, Khan took most of the strike and could not take Afghanistan home against Marcus Stoinis.

Australia 168 for 8 in 20 overs ( Maxwell 54*, Marsh 45, Naveen UL Haq 3/21) beat Afghanistan 164 for 7 in 20 overs ( Rashid Khan 48*, Naib 39, Zampa 2/22) by 4 runs.

For his unbeaten 54 off 32 balls, Maxwell was named the player of the match award. Australia would hope that Sri Lanka defeats England.



  





Australia beat Afghanistan by 4 runs to stay alive in the tournament 

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