Afghanistan takes on Australia in the ICC World Cup 2019 in a much-awaited clash between the two sides. Captain Gulbadin Naib upon winning the toss decided to bat first in County Ground, Bristol and managed to put up a score of 207/10 from 38.2 overs. Aaron Finch and David Warner came out all guns blazing for Australia and lead the Aussies to a 7 wicket victory against the Afghans. Both the openers secured half-centuries for their side as well.
Afghanistan vs Australia, World Cup 2019: scorecard
Here's how it happened:
AUSTRALIA 209/3 in 34.5 overs
AFGHANISTAN 207/10 in 38.2 overs
22:53 IST:
It's all over at Bristol as Australia defeat Afghanistan by 7 wickets.
16:00 IST:
Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai are at the crease to kick it off for AFG.
Afghanistan vs Australia: Toss
Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib said, "We are gonna bat first. Looks a good wicket, flat as well and we have three spinners. Hence, we're batting first and hoping to put a good score on the board. Yes, they (Australia) are a champion side and we need to start well against them. (On playing three spinners) Everyone knows about the spinners of Afghanistan, all of them are experienced and skilled."
Aaron Finch, the Australian captain said, "I would have batted first as well, looks a good wicket to put runs on the board. Not that hard on top and hopefully, we can get some movement early on. (On Khawaja over Marsh) Usman's form over the last 14-15 games was too good to ignore. Really tough call but we had to make it. Lyon, Richardson and Behrendorff are the others missing out."
Afghanistan vs Australia: Playing XI
Afghanistan: Mohammad Shahzad(w), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib(c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan.
Australia: Aaron Finch(c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(w), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
