ICC World Cup 2023: Australia and Afghanistan set to clash in must-win ODI
The ICC World Cup 2023 is gearing up for another showdown as Australia vs Afghanistan prepare to face off in a high-stakes must-win ODI. This crucial clash will take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 7, marking the 39th match of the tournament. The action is set to kick off at 2:00 PM IST.
Australia, after having lost their first two matches (against India and South Africa), came back strong and won the next five consecutive matches. They have a chance of winning the coming two matches and finishing the group stage in the 2nd position on the points table ahead of South Africa (in case the Proteas lose their next).
Afghanistan are still in contention for the Top 4, which will be historic for them as the Asian team could be a part of the semi-finals for the first time. However, they have Australia now and South Africa next. It won’t be easy for them, but that’s how history is made by moving ahead of champions.
Australia vs Afghanistan: Head-to-head in ODIs
Out of the three matches that the two teams have played against each other in the ODI format, two have come in World Cups. Australia first played Afghanistan in a one-off ODI in the UAE in August 2012 back when the latter were far from being a Full Member of the ICC. Despite their inexperience, they came within 66 runs of beating Australia. Australia leads the overall head-to-head 3-0.
Australia vs Afghanistan: Head-to-head in World Cups
Australia first played Afghanistan in a World Cup in 2015 at Perth. The Michael Clarke-led side won that match by 275 runs and would later go on to win the tournament. They then beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in Bristol in the 2019 World Cup.
Australia squad:
David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith/Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Afghanistan squad:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor, Fazalhaq Farooqi
