The state of play
We are reaching the business end of the T20 World Cup Super 8s as Afghanistan take on Australia in their second game at the Arnos Stadium in St Vincent.
Australia can all but secure their semi-finals spot with a victory after seeing off Bangladesh in a rain-affected victory which saw the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method come into play.
Pat Cummins claimed a hat-trick as the Aussies held their opponents to 140-8 in Antigua, before the second rain delay halted them on 100-2, 28 ahead of the required DLS target, with David Warner on 53 from 35 balls.
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Cummins said: “At the end of the over, I saw it come up on the screen and I totally forgot about [the hat-trick].
“I’ve taken a few in junior cricket but never for Australia. It’s pretty awesome to be able to join the club.”
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An experienced Australian attack exposed a fragile Bangladesh batting line-up’s frailties, with Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Glenn Maxwell and in ruthless form alongside Test cricket captain Cummins.
T20 skipper Mitchell Marsh said: “A really solid bowling performance, everyone chipped in.
“We’ve always spoken about having 15 guys who can take us deep in this World Cup and we will pick teams on conditions.”
Mitch Starc on 🔝
The Australia pacer has climbed to the #1 spot for most wickets in Men’s World Cup history across both formats 👏 pic.twitter.com/Kw0U2VeHbw
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 21, 2024
Afghanistan know anything less than a win will be be curtains for them at the T20 World Cup after a comprehensive defeat to India by 47 runs.
They began with the ball and had restricted India to 90-4 before Suryakumar Yadav (53) smashed a brilliant 50 from 27 balls to help the Men in Blue post a commanding 181-8.
The Blue Tigers struggle to hold up an effective response as they were dismissed for 134 all out, a disappointing second successive defeat for Rashid Khan’s side after losing to West Indies in the group stage.
Khan, who claimed an impressive three wickets alongside Fazalhaq Farooqi, said: “We could’ve done it had we executed smarter.
“My bowling has been coming out well, I am hitting the right areas consistently, but it’s the match result that matters most.”
Expected line-ups
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Najibullah Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa
India start their Super Eight phase in style 🤩
They register a thumping victory in Barbados on the back of a Jasprit Bumrah masterclass 👏#T20WorldCup | #AFGvIND | 📝: https://t.co/BxhniXyQkf pic.twitter.com/aJCFZlqo7p
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 20, 2024
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the T20 World Cup to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Coverage gets underway on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket from 1am UK time on Sunday morning.
In India, the games can be streamed on Disney + Hotstar app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
Prediction
Halting a third straight loss looks a tough assignment for Khan and Co as they come up against an Australia team that has been in formidable form so far with five wins from five.
Tensions between these country’s two cricket boards should make this an exciting spectacle but Australia’s dominance in the bowling department compared to their opponents means they are well-placed for another victory.
