Match deserted on account of rain Afghanistan 273 (Atal 85, Omarzai 67, Dwarshuis 3-47, Zampa 2-48, Johnson 2-49) vs Australia 109 for 1 (Head 59*, Omarzai 1-43)
However in an awesome disgrace, Lahore’s inclement climate lower quick a high-stakes contest that felt prefer it nonetheless had a number of twists forward. Australia had been properly positioned at 109 for 1 after 12.5 overs chasing 274 earlier than a downpour hit the bottom. Rain ultimately stopped however components of the sector have been soaked and the match needed to be deserted.
The groups shared the factors and that was sufficient for Australia to progress by means of to the semi-finals after their second consecutive match was negated by rain. However Afghanistan noticed their hopes of development wash away as solely an unlikely hefty South Africa defeat by the hands of England can preserve their event alive.
Maybe his one-legged presence was to spook Afghanistan and revive recollections of Glenn Maxwell’s astonishing double-century on the 2023 World Cup – the final ODI between the groups.
However they have been aided by sloppy Afghanistan fielding with Head dropped by Rashid Khan on 6 at mid-on after miscuing a pull off fast Fazalhaq Farooqi. He then smashed a six off the subsequent ball to rub salt within the wounds.
Head shortly regained Australia’s ascendency and pounced on wayward bowling from Farooqi, reaching his half-century off 34 balls. Stand-in skipper Steven Smith donned the cap as soon as Afghanistan’s spinners entered the assault however Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad didn’t threaten. Rashid had but to bowl by the point rain spoiled the occasion within the thirteenth over with Head on 59 off 40 and Smith unbeaten on 19.
With heavy rain lashing Lahore forward of the match, there had been fears that the match could be utterly rained out very similar to Australia’s conflict with South Africa earlier within the week.
However the climate cleared within the nick of time and Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi had no hesitation to bat first on what was anticipated to be a flat floor. Nonetheless, the ball moved round significantly on a pitch that had spent loads of time underneath the covers within the lead-up.
Having lengthy drawn comparisons with Starc, Johnson would have made his mentor beam when he unfurled a lethal inswinging yorker that went by means of the defence of Rahmanullah Gurbaz within the opening over.
Johnson is not a famous exponent of the full-pitch supply, with back-of-a-length bowling extra his prowess. However he was wayward after his preliminary breakthrough and a flustered Smith couldn’t comprise his annoyance because the extras leaked.
All eyes have been on Ibrahim Zadran after his record-breaking Champions Trophy knock of 177 in opposition to England. He and Atal have been in survival mode early because the ball flew previous the bat on quite a few events, however they held agency in a 67-run partnership to see off the new-ball risk.
Atal was unperturbed by the predicament and determined to drive the difficulty in opposition to the spinners, focusing on deep midwicket to good impact as he smashed a six to succeed in his half-century in type off 64 balls.
Atal was on a roll and efficiently collared Zampa out of the assault. He did have luck on 74 when an enormous lbw shout from seamer Nathan Ellis was turned down. Australia didn’t evaluate within the perception that the ball pitched exterior leg stump, however replays confirmed in any other case.
Australia weren’t made to pay after Smith made his newest profitable bowling change by reverting again to Johnson, who ended Atal’s bid for a second ODI century when he hit straight to cowl.
Australia up to now on this event have banked on batting depth, however they’ve had part-time spinners step up. In opposition to England it was Marnus Labuschagne’s legspin, whereas Quick stepped up right here to concede simply 21 runs from seven extraordinarily useful overs.
Afghanistan spiralled and misplaced Nabi to a comical run-out as they slid to 199 for 7 and appeared to be falling properly wanting a aggressive rating. However Omarzai took over by farming the strike and his power-hitting noticed 5 mighty blows sail over the rope, three off Ellis who is often so proficient on the dying.
The second proved a non-event to foreshadow what was forward later within the night time.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist primarily based in Perth
