The 48th match of the T20 World Cup will be played between Afghanistan and Australia at Kingstown.
Team overview:
When Australia and Afghanistan met last time the unthinkable happened. Australia were 91 for 7 in pursuit of 293 at the ODI World Cup 2023, Glenn Maxwell pulled out a miraculous chase. Maxwell couldn’t even walk let alone run but scored a double hundred which helped Australia to win the game from the jaws of defeat.
But in this World Cup Maxwell is yet to make headlines. Even during the IPL he had awful outings that he even took a break. He started the World Cup with a duck against Oman and then scored 28 off 25 against England and could not make impact against Scotland too.
Nevertheless, he showed some signs of a comeback against Bangladesh but he just faced 6 balls in a rain-hit fixture.
However, facing Afghanistan, Maxwell will be in some good confidence remembering his last outing against them.
Australia will be hoping that Maxwell can regain his form and can belt the likes of Rashid Khan and co. Though Australia won’t be upset since their middle order is striking at 168, the best among all the 20 teams in the World Cup.
The bowling unit of the Australia side has been on fleek. Adam Zampa is performing so well and at the pitch like Kingstown which is conducive to the spinners, Zampa can run riot. The pace bowling has been top-notch too as Pat Cummins was rewarded as player of the match in the last game.
The bowling attack is so potent that if Zampa doesn’t get you, Cummins will, and if Cummins doesn’t get you, Stoinis will.
Talking about Afghanistan they still have those haunting images of Maxwell effortlessly hitting them out of the park, nevertheless, they will be ready to give it all in this important contest.
The openers Gurbaz and Zadran will have to set a solid foundation because Afghanistan’s batting lineup is dependent on these two stalwarts.
Rashid Khan will have to step-up and Mohammad Nabi’s experience will be the key.
Although he wasn’t good in the recent encounters, Naveen-ul-Haq’s death bowling will hold the key for the Afghanistan side.
He can bowl yorkers and has several slower variations which will aid him on a low bounce pitch of St Vincent.
There will be tension between the two teams as well as the Australian team skipped bilateral tours against Afghanistan citing the political reasons. So, the Afghanistan players will be looking to make a statement at a global stage.
Pitch and weather reports:
Spinners have thrived in Kingstown, taking 22 wickets at an economy of 5.64. Expect more of the same when the world’s two best spinners Rashid Khan and Adam Zampa will come to bowl at a spin-friendly pitch. Chances of rain are low.
Head-to-head records:
In the T20Is, the two sides have met only once with Australia clinching victory in that game.
Predictions:
Australia will win this game.
Where to watch:
Pakistan – PTV Sports, Ten Sports, Myco (Live streaming), Tamasha app (Live streaming), Tapmad (live streaming)
India – Star Sports
England – SkySport Network
USA and Canada (Willow TV)
Caribbean – ESPN Caribbean
New Zealand & Australia – Sky Sports NZ, Prime Video
UK & Northern Ireland – Sky Sports
Sri Lanka – Maharaja TV
Other regions – SuperSport, Sirasa, CricLife, STARZPLAY
