T20 World Cup: Australia Beat Afghanistan By 4 Runs To Keep World Cup Hopes Alive

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AUS vs AFG: The reigning World Cup champion Australia attained a hard-fought 4-run victory over Afghanistan to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the semis in the T20 World Cup here at Adelaide Oval.

While defending the target of 169, the Australian bowlers performed under pressure but staged their calm attitude on the field to win the decisive battle.

Australia's leading wicket-taker of the tournament Josh Hazlewood grabbed 2 wickets at a crucial time by leaking 33 runs.

Spinner Adam Zampa bowled with gritty intent in a pressure situation and ended his 4 over quota with the figures of 2/22 and Kane Richardson also earned a wicket to his name in his first match of the World Cup.
 
Afghanistan batters while chasing didn't lower their shoulders and scored runs at every moment. Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 30 runs off 17 balls with 2 fours and an equal no. of sixes. 

Ibrahim Zadran (26) scored runs at a low pace and Gulbadin Naid tried to hold one end as he got 39 quick runs in 23 balls including 3 fours and 2 sixes which kept the Afghan team in the game.

In the end, Afghanistan lost 4 wickets at quick successions which overturned the match but Rashid Khan smacked 48 runs in 23 balls which included 3 fours and 4 sixes but he couldn't able to deliver winning runs for the team. 

Earlier in the first inning, after winning the toss Nabi called the home team to bat first where Cameron Green (3) who was included in the XI in place of injured Aaron Finch couldn't able to put in runs and was sent to the pavilion in the third over.

David Warner (25) got a few quick runs but out of desperation, he threw his wicket in the sixth over when the team was at 50. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh got the highest runs from his bat as he scored 45 in 30 deliveries with 3 fours and 2 sixes.

Glenn Maxwell with his 54 runs knock which included  6 fours and 2 sixes and Marcus Stoinis' 25 of 21 did a good partnership of 53 runs for the 5th wicket and helped the Aussie side to score a decent total. 

The rest of the Aussie batter was not able to get runs for their team in the must-win match. 6 out of 10 Australian batters didn't even get to double digits. 

Afghanistan's bowling totally shattered the defending champions. Pacer Naveen Ul Haq outclassed with his quirky bowling as he thrashed 3/21 with an economy of 5.20.

Fazalhaq Farooqi grabbed 2/29, and Mujeeb and Rashid clinched one wicket each as helped the side in the first half.

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AUS vs AFG Full Score:

AUS: 168/8 (Glenn Maxwell- 54 of 32; Naveen Ul Haq- 3/21)

AFG: 164/7 (Rashid Khan- 48 of 23, 3x4 & 4x6; Hazlewood- 2/33, Zampa- 2/22)