ICC World Cup 2023 | AUS vs AFG: Australian bowlers dominate early innings

Australian players celebrating after first wicket (Pic: AFP)

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran opened the innings for Afghanistan. Both started the innings well for the Afghans by striking the ball into the gaps. Gurbaz played a knock of 21 runs laced by two fours before getting caught in the hands of Mitchell Starc.

Australia will experience the absence of one of their star batsmen, Steve Smith. Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell have made a return in Australia's side after they both missed the clash against the defending champions England.

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After the dismissal of Afghanistan's opening batsman, Zadran and Rahmat Shah are trying to stabilize the innings. Zadaran completed his fifty and is continuing to play into gaps.

Aussie bowlers are bowling in the right spaces to avoid leaking runs in their overs. They are not letting Afghanistan take easy singles. Travis Head rolled his arm and has so far, conceded 11 runs in two overs bowled by him.

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Both teams are alive in the qualification race for the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023. Australia needs to defeat Afghanistan today to qualify for the semi-final. On the other hand, the Afghans need to win the remaining two matches for the qualification.

Squad changes:

A big blow for Australia as Steve Smith will not be featuring in today's game with Mitchell Marsh in to replace him.

Naveenh-ul-Haq comes back to Afghanistan playing 11 as Fazalhaq Farooqui misses out.

Squads:

Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen ul Haq.

Australia Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Josh Inglis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.