MUMBAI, India: Afghanistan face Australia in the cricket world cup in Mumbai today with an eye on qualifying for the semi-finals.
Yeah, Afghanistan vs Australia, Tuesday, November 7, 2023, 2pm (08:30 GMT), Mumbai . In the lead-up to the highly-anticipated contest at the Wankhede Stadium here, both Australia and Afghanistan had their share of spotlight during their practice sessions.
Steve Smith, the Australian vice-captain, became the centre of attention as he revealed his recent battle with vertigo. During his training session, every move he made was scrutinized, but he managed to bat and run without showing signs of discomfort. However, after a net session, he began to feel unwell and briefly left the field, leaving his availability for the match in doubt.
On the other hand, Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian cricket legend, graced the Afghanistan training session at his home ground. His arrival created quite a buzz as he interacted with the players, offering words of wisdom and posing for selfies. It was a memorable moment for the Afghanistan camp.
As the two teams prepared for the crucial encounter, Australia sought to secure a spot in the semifinals with a win, having won five consecutive matches after an initial setback. In contrast, Afghanistan had been the form team of the tournament, displaying professionalism with both bat and ball. Their strong performances had shifted the focus from their backgrounds to their cricketing prowess. With a close encounter in their T20 World Cup clash last year, Afghanistan was optimistic about their chances against Australia.
The stage was set for a match that held significance for both teams. Australia aimed to secure their semifinal spot, while Afghanistan sought to keep their hopes alive and put pressure on other contenders. It promised to be an intriguing contest, with contrasting campaigns and compelling narratives on display.
Australia probable XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith/Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Afghanistan probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad
