🏏 Cricket WC 2023: Match #39: Aus vs Afg:🏏Link #Thread 2:P 152 - Page 23

Australia will need to complete a record chase at the Wankhede if they're to book their semis ticket tonight. An outstanding batting edffort from Afghanistan, led by their opener Ibrahim Zadran, who remained unbeaten on a 143-ball 129. His 5th ODI hundred and the first A fghan batter to score a WC hundred. He was involved in partnerships right through, with the biggest being 83 for the 2nd wicket with Rahmat Shah. At times, it did look that they weren't maximising their batting innings, but they had a plan all along. Having kept wickets in hand, they pulled the trigger in the final f ew overs with some lovely cameos by Azmatullah and Rashid Khan, the latter finishing on a 18-ball unbeaten 35*. Australian bowling was on the point for most part, but some bowling changes by Pat Cummins was perplexing. One thing for sure, we'll either see a record chase tonight or this #CWC23 will open up further if Afghanistan manage to add Australia to their hit list. Back in 25 minutes for the chase.

Highest team scores for Afghanistan in World Cups

291/5 vs AUS, Mumbai WS, 2023

288 vs WI, Leeds, 2019

286/2 vs PAK, Chennai, 2023

284 vs ENG, Delhi, 2023

272/8 vs IND, Delhi, 2023

Most sixes in a WC innings for Afghanistan

9 vs AUS, Mumbai WS, 2023

8 vs ENG, Manchester, 2019

8 vs ENG, Delhi, 2023

7 vs AUS, Bristol, 2019

7 vs IND, Delhi, 2023

Highest individual scores vs Australia in World Cups

132* - Neil Johnson (ZIM), Lord’s, 1999

130 - Chris Harris (NZ), Chennai, 1996

129* - Ibrahim Zadran (AFG), Mumbai WS, 2023

117 - Shikhar Dhawan (IND), The Oval, 2019

116 - Rachin Ravindra (NZ), Dharamsala, 2023

Most 50-plus stands for Afghanistan in a WC match

3 vs Pakistan, Chennai, 2023

3 vs Sri Lanka, Pune, 2023

3 vs Australia, Mumbai WS, 2023

Ibrahim Zadran: I am feeling great to score Afghanistan's maiden hundred in (World Cup). I worked really hard for this tournament, I missed a hundred against Pakistan but made it today. I was talking to my coaching staff and I told them I have a feeling I will get a hundred in next three matches. Wicket is looking good, ball is coming so well. If we had made good partnerships and kept wickets in hand, we would have scored 330 but we lost a few wickets and didn't get the kind of partnership (we were looking for) but Rashid played well in the end. We have plan for every opposition and it was our aim to put this score. We will try to bowl and field well. 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.

Vikram: "Over to Afghan magic spinners to take them very near that semi-final berth!"

Who will India prefer in the semis - NZ, PAK or AFG?

Originally posted by: Kaori69

Who will India prefer in the semis - NZ, PAK or AFG?

AFG NZ bhi chalega

In a bad news coming up from the Bangladesh camp, Shakib Al Hasan, the star all-rounder and Bangladesh captain has been ruled out of Bangla Tigers' final game of World Cup against Bangladesh. Shakin hurt his left index finger while batting against Sri Lanka and the emergency x-ray result has confirmed the fracture on his left PIP joint.