
Australia vs Afghanistan Highlights, Cricket World Cup 2023: Glenn Maxwell scored the first double hundred of the 2023 ODI World Cup to power Australia to a three-wicket heist against Afghanistan at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Ibrahim Zadran became the first Afghan batter to score a hundred at the World Cup as Afghanistan posted 291 against Australia. Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat. Veteran Australian batter Steve Smith missed out with a vertigo and was replaced by Mitchell Marsh, while Glenn Maxwell returned to the playing eleven in place of Cameron Green. Afghanistan made one change, bringing in seamer Naveen-ul-Haq for Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on our special World Cup section. You can also find the latest stats, like the top scorer and the highest wicket-taker of the current edition, upcoming World Cup fixtures and the points table on the site.
Australia will look to overcome their middle-order woes and secure a final-four spot when they come up against a fearless Afghanistan on Tuesday. Only two places remain up for the taking, with India slated to finish atop the World Cup points table. South Africa have also qualified. With no other team directly threatening Australia’s progression into the semifinals, Pat Cummins’ men would like to finish the job at the Wankhede Stadium.
In ICC ODI World Cup tournaments, Australia and Afghanistan have faced each other in two matches. Out of these, the Kangaroos have emerged victorious on both occasions.
Follow AUS vs AFG highlights below.
Australia
293/7 (46.5)Afghanistan
291/5 (50.0)Australia beat Afghanistan by 3 wickets
“Can’t move, but hits a six over third man. He’s a freak, different universe.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins has been around for a long time to know Glenn Maxwell is a ‘freak’. But even then, as he watched the ‘greatest ODI innings’, the Australia captain could scarcely believe what had transpired.
Cummins wasn’t the only one left with that feeling.
Afghanistan set Australia a target of 292. They had them pinned at 91 for 7. And then Maxwell happened, as he made a mockery of the run chase. Wounded and unable to even stand on his feet, he went on to score an unbeaten 201 to lead Australia to a three-wicket win, which secured their spot in the semifinals.
At what point it stopped being an Afghanistan vs Australia match and turned into a full-blown Maxwell show is hard to say. The second ball of the 22nd over is a good reference point.
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After playing arguably one of the greatest innings in One-Day Internationals, Glenn Maxwell still found space for a lament: that he had ridden his luck at times as he scored an unbeaten 201 to help Australia cross the line at the Wankhede Stadium against Afghanistan.
Batting first, Afghanistan had piled on 291/5 and then reduced Australia to 91/7 by the 19th over of the second innings. It was then that Maxwell took over and put Afghan batters to the sword despite cramping severely throughout the innings. He collapsed to the ground at times, and could only powerwalk his way through singles. But so dominant was his batting that his partner in the middle, Pat Cummins, only needed to score 12 runs off 68 balls.
Maxwell scored 201 off 128 balls with 21 fours and 10 sixes. He earned a second life when batting at 33 after Mujeeb Ur Rahman dropped a sitter at short fine.
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237* - Martin Guptill (NZ) vs WI, Wellington, 2015
215 - Chris Gayle (WI) vs ZIM, Canberra, 2015
201* - Glenn Maxwell (AUS) vs AFG, Mumbai, 2023
Pat Cummins: Ridiculous. Don't know how to describe it. Great win! It has got to be the greatest thing that has ever happened. One of those days people will say yeah, I was at the stadium for this game. He (Maxwell) was great, he was calm. He always had a plan. Even from 200 behind to be able to win the game that way, it was really special. (On whether Maxwell wanted to walk off) We had two NSW players lining up, Zampa was on and off three times, but Maxi wanted to stay out there. It is important to remember you can win from anywhere. Real belief in the team and we are in the semi-finals now, that's great. (On what they could do better) Don't think it is the time and the place, I'm going to pause that. I think the toss is a bit tricky out here, the first 20 overs are key. Obviously there are things we could have done better.
Hashmatullah Shahidi: Very disappointed. Cricket is a funny game, it was unbelievable for us. We were in the game, our bowlers started very well and the dropped chances hurt us. After that, Maxwell doesn't stop, he played every kind of shot and I can give credit to him. I think the dropped catches were the key, after that Maxwell played really well. Our bowlers tried their best but he didn't give any chance to us. Proud of the team, but we will be disappointed tonight. We didn't think it would be this way, part of the game. This is cricket. We will try to come back strong against South Africa. He (Ibrahim Zadran) must be proud of himself, I am also proud that he is the first Afghan with a WC hundred.
Glenn Maxwell: It was hot while fielding today, I haven't done a lot of exercise in the heat, it got a hold on me today. I wanted to stay back and get some movement (on my legs). Not too much (when asked about plans at 92/7), just stick to the batting plans as much as possible, for me, still be positive, still look to play my shots, that LBW, it was going just above (the stumps), probably that made me be more proactive. A hint of swing and nip (off the surface), as it happens here under lights, they bowled beautifully to exploit that. It would have been nice if it was a chanceless knock, but I had my chances, to make the most of it tonight was something I can be proud of. Amazing, after the first two games, people were quick to write us off. The belief was always there (as a team), after today, it would have gone a bit higher.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman from the other end. And Pat Cummins has just put his bat on his knees to applaud his mate. Back to back sixes are followed by a piercing four through covers and Australia are one hit away from a one. Maxwell one six away from a 200. And so, he launches one into the nightsky and brings up a spectacular double hundred to close the game.
Australia beat Afghanistan by three wickets and hand on your heart, you did not see that coming. No one did. Glenn Maxwell lives up to his name. Puts on The Big Show at the 2023 ODI World Cup to kill another Afghan dream. The five time world champions had been reduced to seven down for 91. Ninety One. And now, they've chased down 292 with 19 balls to spare and you just had to see it to believe it. One for the ages and Ian Smith in the comms finds an apt phrase for the player of the match. "He shouldn't have to walk off this ground, he should be carried off it." Australia with a sixth straight win. Afghanistan, well they are still in this. What a game. WHAT A GAME!
Rashid Khan to have a final go for the evening. Can he remove Glenn Maxwell? In his last over? No late night fairytale here in the Bollywood town as the Australian talisman sees through the over and retains the strike for the next one.
It has to be now for Afghanistan. Australia need 32 to win from here. It cannot wait and Naveem ul Haq has to be their man. He scampers in to face the batter who's brought the game at this juncture. Half of a batter, who's scored more than half of Australia's runs on the night. He adds six more. Slower ball outside off, picked with ease and dispatched over deep mid wicket for six.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is shown on the big screen. Just how much is that dropped catch of going to haunt him tonight? Almost like an act of rubbing salt to their wounds, Maxwell's shot on the last ball is inches away from being a caught and bowled dismissal. He keeps the strike with a single.
Stop everything that you're doing. Late night ppt deadline, drive the boss crazy. Driving in the middle of a highway, park down the corner. Home chores? They can surely wait. Glenn Maxwell is scripting the innings of a lifetime. Just how has he found the resolve to continue. Just how has he got those wrists going for another boundary down deep square leg. More so, how did he pick that full ball outside off for a picture perfect reverse hit for a six over short third? Marcus Stoinis and the Aussie dressing room have lost it. Their talisman mate is seeing this all the way through. Omarzai spills 15 from his latest.
Pat Cummins holds bay at the other end. The two Aussie batters playing T20 and Test in an ODI match to keep Australia on the front foot. The captain sees through Noor's over. A maiden for the left-armer but Afghanistan need a wicket here.
"Where is this coming from? How is he finding this?"
Ian Smith on the comms is asking the questions all of us are at the moment. Glenn Maxwell heaves Azmatullah Omarzai past long on for four. Brings up his 150 and the Australia dressing room stands to applause. But he ain't done yet. Fullish delivery, on the stumps, and he just angles it down short third for four. "Don't know who's feeling more pain right now? Probably Afghanistan." Yes, Smithy. Yes.
Unbelievable scenes at the Wankhede. Noor Ahmed is belted past extra cover for four by Glenn Maxwell, who is no longer able to bear the pain and goes down on his back like a plank. Not one muscle seems to be working in favor of Maxwell to seeing this off and the Australian physio Nick Jones rushes in. Afghanistan players form a huddle nearby, Rashid Khan leads the chat. This may be the last moment for them to try something to get this game back in their favor.
Just as all of this unfolds, Adam Zampa has come down from the dressing room and is ready to walk in but good news for the Aussies, Maxwell is going to continue.
Pat Cummins can't believe it at the non-striker's end. He shakes his head with a smile on his face. Just a delivery ago, he had denied Glenn Maxwell a single off a hit down long on. The swashbuckling Aussie batter isn't even able to jog his way through the other end. And so, not being able to use his feet to full effect, he plays two shots without any footwork. Naveen goes back of length and he sprays it down fine leg for four. And then, a fuller delivery is bullet down the ground for another. Cummins is all praise for his batting partner. Everyone has to be. Innings of the World Cup contender? Who's to say otherwise.
Oh Glenn Maxwell!
How fitting is that Big Show nickname? He'd looked in some discomfort with his right knee. Then, in the last over, the other one looked to have picked another cramp. He was also stretching his back in between at the non-striker's end. And just as he whacks Rashid Khan down long on for six, there's another jerk. He's standing tall against all odds for Australia. Seven from the over.
Naveen ul Haq from the other end. Pitches a length ball and Maxwell jabs it down mid wicket, but jerks straightaway. That right knee isn't at comfort at all. He gingerly walks to the non-striker's end and needs falls on his knees to stretch. He may have a back spasm as well as the physio waits on the sideline for the end of the over to come in and check on him.
Rashid Khan brought into the attack from the end Naveen ul Haq bowled the last over. His eighth over and Maxwell is not taking any chances against him. Rightly so, with 11 other overs to choose his options from. But it can also be because of some discomfort in his knee. He'd got some treatment from the physio but it's not gotten any cooler in Mumbai. Three runs off the over.
Oh no, oh no Afghanistan!
Maxwell had signalled in the other over that bring Mohammad Nabi to bowl at this stage wasn't the smartest of choices, but Afghanistan persist with him for another over and pay the price. A ramp pull shot down fine leg for four followed by a whack over mid wicket for six.
Right then, the change in the bowling attack that was much awaited. Spin to seam as Naveen ul Haq returns for a sixth over. One has to think if an over from Nabi after Rashid, Noor and Mujeeb was even needed? Afghanistan are desperate for that Maxwell wicket, or even Cummins' for that matter. 200 comes up for Australia and the bowling side's running out of time. Can they wrap up this fairytale with a moment of inspiration from Naveen and Omarzai? Or will Maxwell see through the pacers the way he has the spinners.
Mohammad Nabi into the attack and the President gets a warm welcome from Maxwell. Pumped for back to back boundaries. A cut on either side of the fielder at point for same result. This is carnage personified from him. So much so that he's needed medical attention from the physio. It's humid out there - perhaps, cramps - and drenched in his sweat, Maxwell gets a treatment in his left leg.
Glenn Maxwell brings up his hundred!
His second at this World Cup, and perhaps his most important for Australia. Brings it off just 76 balls and he's shifted the entire balance of the game after Afghanistan had managed to claim seven wickets. Raises his bat to a standing ovation from the dressing room and the neutrals at the Wankhede Stadium.
Maxwell continues to burn the Afghan dream. The strategy is pretty straightforward for Australia here. Cummins survives and gives the strike to Maxwell, who keeps going for his shots. This time, it's Mujeeb at the receiving end. A four followed by a six down the ground. He moves into his 90s.
Noor Ahmed should have had atleast a wicket by now, the big one of Glenn Maxwell, who was dropped off his bowling at short fine. But as fate has it, into his seventh over, and no breakthrough yet for the left-arm spinner who started off on an impressive note for the Afghans at this World Cup. Beats Cummins on the outside edge but the Australian captain survives the over. As does this partnership.
Mujeeb again and OH HOW CLOSE HE WAS TO GETTING THE BIG GUY!
Bowls one angled in and it straigtens after pitching to take a fine outside edge off Maxwell's bat to run down short third for four. A dropped catch, another one that almost carried, an lbw dismissal overturned, one has to think if its his night after all the heavy lifting put in from the Afghans early on.
Plot twist completed?
Glenn Maxwell turning out to be the villian of this Afghan fairytale. In the end, is it too good to be true? Seems so as Maxwell takes to the skies. Back-to-back sixes off that Noor Ahmed - who has switched ends - over. One over mid wicket, the other down long on. 150 comes up for Australia.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman replaces Noor Ahmed and Glenn Maxwell has a go at the off spinner, first ball. Full, quick, and wide, and Maxwell drives it through extra cover for four. The boundaries keep coming and Afghanistan need to quickly get this one wicket.
Just as Rashid Khan dazzles us with the ball, here's Sriram Veera elucidating on his art with the bat.
"No other batsman bottles the spirit of gully-cricket and sprays it gleefully in the international arena like Rashid Khan. Much of modern-day T20 batting has become refined appropriation of gully-shots, but Rashid can make even the most adventurous tennis-ball street cricketer gasp in awe." Read more by clicking here.
Rashid Khan continues from the other end, and it's the Australian captain Pat Cummins he and Afghanistan want to keep on strike. It's evidenced by the desperate tumble from the skipper in the 30-yard circle to avoid a single from Cummins. That Rashid beats him with a quicker googly later in the over suggests why he digs this particular match up. Off the next and last ball of the over, he turns one away and it takes a thick edge runs between the keeper and first slip for four. Lucky lucky boundary but Australia will take them as they come.
Once again, the contest between two forces not holding back. Maxwell pumps Noor down the ground to bring up his fifty. A crucial knock that for Australia but the job's not even half done in Mumbai. And just as he steps on his front foot to deliver another big hit, Noor beats him on the outside edge to give him second thoughts about stepping out.
Once again, the contest between two forces not holding back. Maxwell pumps Noor down the ground to bring up his fifty. A crucial knock that for Australia but the job's not even half done in Mumbai. And just as he steps on his front foot to deliver another big hit, Noor beats him on the outside edge to give him second thoughts about stepping out.
Rashid Khan bowls another tight over from the other end. Even if you've just tuned in to this game, not a bad time to watch it unfold. With Glenn Maxwell not holding himself back, the Afghan spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed aren't backing away from their attacking lines as well. One run comes off the 25th over.
Glenn Maxwell isn't playing by the opposition rules any more.
Noor offers him a fuller delivery in the stump arc and he latches onto it with a fierce slog sweep that races down the mid wicket for four. As long as Australia have their big show, there's still a chance. A chance to complete their best chase in World Cup history. A chance to complete the highest ODI chase in the history of Wankhede Stadium. Seven runs come off the over.
Rashid Khan dazzles in from the other end. Maxwell jabs him off a short one on the first delivery for four. Next up, as he bumps one to Rashid, the leggie collects it and throws it furiously to the keeper behind. It's gone whizzing past the Aussie batter, who turns to the other side as Rashid gives him one of those intense looks. We'd seen this teaser even before Rashid played a game at this World Cup. When it comes to Afghanistan's star player, even his teammates aren't safe from the treatment Maxwell's getting at the moment. Read Rahul Pandey's account on Rashid from Afghanistan's first net session at this World Cup.
Noor Ahmed into his third and he's rapped Glenn Maxwell on his pads from round the wicket. It seems to be pitching outside leg but the umpire has deemed it out. Maxwell has to go for a review here. And he does.
Afghanistan hold its collective breath. Pitching in line but it's going over the stumps. Maxwell survives. And is gifted five wides off the next ball. Goes for a reverse sweep later and executes it for four runs down short third. Eventful over but there's more to it. After all we've seen so far this eve, Glenn Maxwell goes for an orthodox sweep and it's travelled to Mujeeb Ur Rahman at short fine but he drops it. Noor can't believe it. Ian Smith on the comms can't believe it. 'We haven't seen everything tonight,' he goes to contradict his co-commentator Matthew Hayden who'd said the opposite just a couple overs back. How much more can this game throw at us?
Rashid Khan almost has a third!
And this was the big one. Glenn Maxwell goes for an untidy heavy over deep mid wicket but ends up top edging the ball. Hashmatullah Shahidi however is unable to get it at mid off and Rashid Khan drops down with his hands on his head. Afghanistan are knocking on that last big wicket here. Hundred up for Australia.
Noor Ahmed continues from the other end. And oh how the mighty have fallen. The Australian shoulders have dropped. 292 was always going to be difficult under the lights at the Wankhede against a supremely equipped Afghan attack but the five-time world cup winners wouldn't have seen this coming. Three runs from that over.
Rashid Khan comes round the wicket. First ball, and Starc gets the toe end of his bat and Rashid takes a brilliant diving forward catch and leads in a caught and bowled appeal. It's referred to the third umpire and there's a bump before the ball makes its way to Rashid.
But next ball, Starc seems to have induced an outside edge and this time, Ikram Alikhil the keeper juggles it twice before taking another diving attempt. Umpire deems it out. Starc unsure that he's nicked it. Doesn't take a review and Afghanistan has another wicket. It's one that'll come back to haunt the Aussies as the UltraEdge shows Starc hadn't nicked it.
One can understand the reason behind the chatter being picked up from the stump mic. Not just that they've run through the Aussie top order, there's no shortage of ammunition in the bowling department for Afghanistan. Noor Ahmed rolls his arms from the other end, in tandem with Rashid Khan. He's been deemed as the left-handed Rashid Khan by many, only fitting that the two bowl side by side. Starts off by giving away just the two runs.
Rashid Khan continues from the other end. Bowls length, googly, and Stoinis misses it on the reverse sweep. LBW appeal and the umpire raises his finger. A quick chat with Maxwell and Stoinis goes upstairs. It's definitely not got the bat as evidenced by the UltraEdge. Three reds follow in the ball tracker and Afghanistan rejoice!
"After just 15 overs, Starc and Cummins have their pads on. Not a good sign."
Michael Atherton probably knows a thing or two about reading the ominous signs at this World Cup. And right now, it's Australia who are under the pump. But Glenn Maxwell is not having it for long. Decides to go after Mujeeb and pockets a couple of boundaries in front of square either side of the wicket.
RUN OUT!
Marnus Labuschagne was late to react to Glenn Maxwell's call for a run and Rahmat Shah from short mid wicket has a go at the stumps and Labuschagne's desperate dive sees his bat still in the air by the time the bails are lit. 'No run!' one could've said after that delay in the decision from the non-striker's end. Afghanistan celebrate as the five-time world champions go five down in Mumbai. My my!
Hang on, that might not be all for the over. Rashid Khan flights one and Marcus Stoinis leans forward for a defence only for the ball to whisker past his outside edge and there's an appeal for a caught behind. Nothing given by the umpire. Afghanistan review it. The UltraEdge shows nothing as the ball passes the bat. The umpires also have a check for a leg before wicket dismissal and guess what: Umpire's call. Rashid Khan holds his head in dismay. He knows how close that was. So does Stoinis. Afghanistan all over Australia here.
"One thing they do need to realise is that Australia need a partnership here. Afghanistan were 65/1 at the same stage. They just need to soak up the pressure," reckons Ricky Ponting on the state of play in Mumbai.
Meanwhile, Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls a maiden over - second of the innings. Earlier, Omarzai had bowled one, right before he claimed Warner and Inglis in the next one off consecutive deliveries. Can Mujeeb make the most of the base laid from his maiden? For now, Australia have trouble calling from the other end as well as Rashid Khan gets ready to roll his arms.
Azmatullah into his fifth over. Goes too straight with an angled in delivery onto Maxwell's pads and the latter gets inside the line of the ball to flick it for four runs. That's a first boundary for Maxwell, and Australia will need a lot more from him on the night.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman back in the attack. Crucial juncture in the game where Australia need Maxwell and Labuschagne to build a partnership. They haven't yet found a rhythm and Afghanistan, would want to make sure they don't let them. Just the four singles negotiated off that over. What a contest this one has turned out to be so far. Let's take it all in during a drinks break.
Azmatullah continues from the other end, and induces another outside edge. This time, off Labuschagne but it doesn't carry to the first slip. He's pitched it in the 6-8m strip more often than not tonight and got the rewards for being consistent.
But just as he goes short of a length, Labuschagne meets it with a jab through mid wicket for four. A much needed boundary that from Labuschagne and Australia's perspective.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Zadran conceded on the broadcast post Afghanistan's innings that it was a chat with man whose statue he played in front of today that helped him a lot to reach the triple figures. "I had a good chat with Sachin Tendulkar; he shared his experience and I said before the match that I will bat like Sachin Tendulkar; he gave me a lot of energy and confidence." (Read more)
Naveen-ul-Haq into his fifth over. And Marnus Labuschagne ain't happy with someone moving behind as the bowler's coming in to bowl. Not the first time an Aussie batter has had an issue with the sight. And the Afghan players aren't happy with another pause. They're in rhythm here. Just the one run from the over. End of the batting powerplay.
What an over from Azmatullah Omarzai, no better time to read Pratyush Raj's profile of the all-rounder. "Growing up in Nangarhar, Omarzai and his brothers were not allowed to step outside the house after sunset. The region was one of the strongholds of Tehreek-e-Taliban, who were in a running war with the Pakistan army.
But his life changed in 2014 when Afghanistan beat Bangladesh for the first time, in the Asia Cup. That was when Omarzai’s father asked him what he wanted to become in life. And the 14-year-old said that he loves cricket and wanted to become a cricketer." (Read more)
Azmatullah Omarzai!!!
He'd kept Warner at bay in the last over. One could sense something special in that matchup. The southpaw was itching to go after him. But that first ball from the medium pacer is angled in perfectly and castles Warner. Off stump uprooted and Australia are in big trouble here.
Josh Inglis is the new man in. Length ball outside off, and he goes after it but edges it straight to the cordon. Australia are four down and Azmatullah is on a hattrick!
Right then, two slips and a gully in place for Glenn Maxwell. Quite the buildup to it and here's the hattrick ball. Seam upright, angled in, and Omarzai goes ferocious on the appeal. One for lbw. Nothing given by the umpire and Shahidi goes for a review. It's clipped an outside edge and not carried to the keeper. How close was Omarzai to claiming the first-ever hattrick for Afghanistan at this World Cup! How close were Afghanistan to burrying Australia right there! End of what's been a magnificent over. Australia cross the 50 mark but have gone four down already. Afghanistan, they have to dream here.
Naveen ul Haq into his fourth over. Labuschagne has been quiet so far but a full delivery outside the off stump is enough for him to swat it down to the right of mid off for four. First boundary of the night for him.
Azmatullah from the other end, pins David Warner down for a maiden over. Wow!
What a start to this Afghan defence. Australia have been forced back with early wickets and now, their swashbuckling opener is forced to retreat back from his aggressive style. Something special brewing at the Wankhede?
Naveen ul Haq from the other end. Starts off with a slot ball and Marsh pumps him down the ground for four. Then goes short and wide and is struck through the mid wicket region for another boundary. Ricky Ponting on comms, notes that the length from the right-arm quick hasn't been as direct as the Indian pace attack had the other day to make the most of the conditions with the new ball under the lights.
Naveen has probably heard him and angles one in on the pads. A clear lbw decision that for the umpire and Afghanistan have a second wicket. No review needed for that. Marnus Labuschagne the new man in for Australia, who need a rescue act here.
Azmatullah Omarzai replaces Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mitchell Marsh takes the attack to him. Good length ball, swinging away, and Marsh just leans on it for a cover drive for four. Next one is a tad shorter - still an outswinger - and this time, Marsh is unable to middle it. Looks to get it down the mid wicket region but instead, catches it on a thick edge and it lands all the way over the fielder at short third for six - first of the innings. Decent comeback from the medium pacer, gives away just the four from his remaining four deliveries. Good over for Australia nonetheless.
Naveen ul Haq making the most of that early movement. He's deceived both of Australia's left handed openers and sent one back in the hut. The ball had done a lot at this time of the evening when India fielded against Sri Lanka. Can Afghanistan use it to their advantage here? Just as we speak, David Warner - who has already got three boundaries from three overs under his belt - is beaten on the outside edge. It comes in and holds it's length. Another 'ohhhhhhh' rings around the venue. One can figure out who the Wankhede crowd is behind on the night.
Mujeeb continues from the other end. Overpitches one and Warner is up for the task. Creams it nicely through covers from outside the off stump for four more. He's started off at his aggressive best, and is unlikely to budge.
Naveen ul Haq is entrusted by Afghanistan from the other hand. Comes round the wicket to Travis Head, length ball, angling in, and Head pokes it only to induce an outside edge. Ikram Alikhil takes the catch behind and Afghanistan have an early wicket. Scenes at the Wankhede!
Later in the over, David Warner also catches a thick edge but it doesn't quite carry to Rahmat Shah at the gully. Afghanistan almost get another. Warner wraps the over with a cut shot for another boundary.
Right then, a reminder that Australia need to see through their biggest ever chase at the World Cups and the highest-ever at the Wankhede Stadium to get the two points tonight.
David Warner on strike as Mujeeb Ur Rahman gets us underway. A boundary off the first ball and Australia are off the mark in style. 4/0 in the first over.
Ibrahim Zadran: Thanks a lot. Feeling very good to become the first Afghan player to score a 100 against in World Cups. I want to score many more hundreds. I worked very hard for this tournament. Against Pakistan, I missed my ton, so I wanted to make it up in this game. I was feeling like I’d get a hundred in the next 3 matches. Wicket is playing well, I passed the message on that we need to target 280-285. If we had wickets in hand, then maybe even 300 or 330 would be possible. We lost some wickets in the end, but Rashid came out and played brilliantly. Our aim was to score at least these many runs, and then field and bowl well. I had a good chat with Sachin Tendulkar yesterday, he shared a lot of his experiences that I can’t express. I’m very thankful to him for sharing his experiences and giving me a lot of confidence.
16 from the last over, and with that, it is the culmination of the first innings. The Afghan side delivered a stellar batting performance, accumulating an imposing total of 291/5. Ibrahim Zadran's brilliant 129 has helped Afghanistan register their highest-ever World Cup score
Mitchell Starc concedes a six at the start of the over and ends it terribly courtesy of a drop! Rashid Khan survives. A fine effort though in the deep! 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 it is clear that Stoinis does not have fingers underneath
AFG: 261/5 after 48 overs
Josh Hazlewood hits the timber! A short stay for Mohammad Nabi comes to an end. Nabi cleared his front leg and tried to slog it away but misses the ball and the ball goes through to rattle the stumps. Afghanistan lose half their side now!
AFG: 236/5 after 46 overs