Afghanistan after winning the toss put Australia into bat first, Australia openers Green and Warner came out and Warner started his innings with some blazing boundaries but his partner Green soon got out soon for 3 runs to Farooqi.
Mitchell Marsh and Warner started again to attack Afghan bowlers but Warner who was looking dangerous unfortunately was dismissed by Naveen-ul-Haq after a cameo of 25 runs, followed by Smith who came into the side got out the same over for 4 runs. Stoinis and Marsh started to build an partnership and Marsh who looked well set and hoping to get an fifty and then attack got out after an contribution of 45 runs 30 deliveries. Stoinis also scored only 25 runs in his 21 balls.
Further Maxwell came in, and started to hit from ball one to maintain to the current runrate and scored an amazing 32 balls 54 runs which included 6 fours and 2 sixes which took Australia to an total of 168 for 8 in their 20 overs. For Afghans it was Naveen who took three wickets and Farooqi picking one.
Afghanistan batters started the chase, where they lost the opener Ghani for 2 runs. But the other opener Gurbaz went in full flow as he went all gun blazing hitting shots but did not last longer as he got out to Richardson for 17 ball 30 runs.
Again, Afghanistan started to build partnership as Naib and Ibrahim were scoring runs, Naib who was looking dangerous as hitting sixes and boundaries each over but got out in a silly run out by Maxwell after well made 39 runs off 23 deliveries further lost 2 wickets in the same over as Najib dismissed for 0 and well set Ibrahim gone for 26 runs.
Afghanistan lost their skipper Nabi going to attack as asking rate was high. But in the end, Rashid Khan ensured that, he gave some fight and he gave an excellent fight to make Australia to struggle for a victory as he scored a quick fire 48 runs off just 23 deliveries as that just went in vain as Australia won by just a margin of 4 runs.
With this win, Australia moves to the 2nd position with 7 points as their Qualification scenario depends upon England vs Sri Lanka match as they would be supporting the Lankans to win the match as they could qualify for the semi finals. Tomorrow’s match willl be an interesting one to all the Aussies fans out there.
Brief Scorecard : Australia 168/8 in 20 overs (Glenn Maxwell 54*, Mitchell Marsh 45, Naveen ul Haq 3-21, Fazalhaq Farooqi 2-29) beat Afghanistan 164/8 in 20 overs (Rashid Khan 48, Gulbadin Naib 39, Adam Zampa 2-22, Josh Hazlewood 2-33) by 4 runs.
image credit : crictracker
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