There happened 2 matches on the same date in the tournament this time! One ended so quickly and won by New Zealand one-sidedly at Cardiff and another was happened at Bristol County Cricket Ground between the World Cup qualified team Afganistan and the defending Champions Australia.
It was the Afgan Captain Gulbadin Naib who won the toss and most surprisingly he elected to bat first. Many would wonder why such false decision had taken?
That was a floppy start by the openers Mohammad Shahzad who cheaply gave his off stumps and Hazratullah Zazai who was caught behind. Both the opener went without scoring. Then came Rahmat Shah who started to built a solid innings by scoring 43 off 60 balls but, he was not supported by the other Afghan batsmen. At one stage Afganistan where 77 for the loss 5 wickets and then with the Captain’s support Najibullah Zardan achieved his 10th ODI fifty
that supported the team to bounce back. Indeed a nice little cameo innings by the ICC ranking world no.2 all-rounder Rashid Khan’s 27 off 11 balls made the team to cross 200 plus. Rashid on his 27 smashed 3 sixes and 2 boundaries. The Aussies made a power packed performance in the bowling department were Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa took 3 wickets each. They were supported by Marcus Stonis 2 crucial wickets and Mitchell Starc’s 1 wicket. Thus it made the Afgans to reach 207 by loosing all their 10 wickets in 38.2 overs.
When the Aussie began to chase there was huge a cheers among the spectators especially, the Australian crowd went emotional for David Warner who walked in the middle after 14 long months who was suspended from the Austrslian team for the ball tampering issue. The opening pair missed 4 runs shot of 100 partnership. The Aussie skipper Aaron Finch carried his form from, the Pakistan tour. He made devastating 66 runs of just 49 deliveries which includes 4 sixes and 6 fours at a strike rate above 130. After the Australian skipper was dismissed by the Afghan skipper Gulbadin Naib caught in the hands of Mujeeb Ur Rahman who was in the long off, later David Warner started to charge his calm and composed innings. Warner made a perfect come back but this time his game was strong and solid. Warner after 20 months scored his 1st half-century as he registered 18th ODI fifty under his belt. His 89 off 114 balls made the cricket experts to think around his way matured innings and this was the 1st time Warner took some time in the middle to score his 114 balls 89. After Usman Khawaja’s little knock of 15(20), there came the former Australian skipper and the universe one among the most endeavouring batsman who is none other than “Steven Smith”. Cricketing world were so eager to see both Warner and Smith in the middle after 14 months. Smith accompanied Warner by scoring 18 runs from his bat. When only 3 runs remaining to finish Smith gave into the hands of short 3rd man Hazratullah Zazai bowled by Mujeeb Ur Raham who was so expensive on the night. Finally Glenn Maxwell smashed the winning run with a boundary in extra-covers with David Warner on the other end unbeaten 89 as the Aussie start their 1st win in the tournament. The Afghan bowlers Rashid Khan, skipper Gulbadin Naib and Mujeeb picked 1 wicket each but the Aussies completely dominated the match with 7 wickets and 91 balls remaining.
Man of the Match (MOM) : David Warner for his composed come back bagged the Man of the Match award.
Result : Australia beat Afganistan with 7 wickets and 91 balls remaining.
It was the Afgan Captain Gulbadin Naib who won the toss and most surprisingly he elected to bat first. Many would wonder why such false decision had taken?
That was a floppy start by the openers Mohammad Shahzad who cheaply gave his off stumps and Hazratullah Zazai who was caught behind. Both the opener went without scoring. Then came Rahmat Shah who started to built a solid innings by scoring 43 off 60 balls but, he was not supported by the other Afghan batsmen. At one stage Afganistan where 77 for the loss 5 wickets and then with the Captain’s support Najibullah Zardan achieved his 10th ODI fifty
that supported the team to bounce back. Indeed a nice little cameo innings by the ICC ranking world no.2 all-rounder Rashid Khan’s 27 off 11 balls made the team to cross 200 plus. Rashid on his 27 smashed 3 sixes and 2 boundaries. The Aussies made a power packed performance in the bowling department were Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa took 3 wickets each. They were supported by Marcus Stonis 2 crucial wickets and Mitchell Starc’s 1 wicket. Thus it made the Afgans to reach 207 by loosing all their 10 wickets in 38.2 overs.
When the Aussie began to chase there was huge a cheers among the spectators especially, the Australian crowd went emotional for David Warner who walked in the middle after 14 long months who was suspended from the Austrslian team for the ball tampering issue. The opening pair missed 4 runs shot of 100 partnership. The Aussie skipper Aaron Finch carried his form from, the Pakistan tour. He made devastating 66 runs of just 49 deliveries which includes 4 sixes and 6 fours at a strike rate above 130. After the Australian skipper was dismissed by the Afghan skipper Gulbadin Naib caught in the hands of Mujeeb Ur Rahman who was in the long off, later David Warner started to charge his calm and composed innings. Warner made a perfect come back but this time his game was strong and solid. Warner after 20 months scored his 1st half-century as he registered 18th ODI fifty under his belt. His 89 off 114 balls made the cricket experts to think around his way matured innings and this was the 1st time Warner took some time in the middle to score his 114 balls 89. After Usman Khawaja’s little knock of 15(20), there came the former Australian skipper and the universe one among the most endeavouring batsman who is none other than “Steven Smith”. Cricketing world were so eager to see both Warner and Smith in the middle after 14 months. Smith accompanied Warner by scoring 18 runs from his bat. When only 3 runs remaining to finish Smith gave into the hands of short 3rd man Hazratullah Zazai bowled by Mujeeb Ur Raham who was so expensive on the night. Finally Glenn Maxwell smashed the winning run with a boundary in extra-covers with David Warner on the other end unbeaten 89 as the Aussie start their 1st win in the tournament. The Afghan bowlers Rashid Khan, skipper Gulbadin Naib and Mujeeb picked 1 wicket each but the Aussies completely dominated the match with 7 wickets and 91 balls remaining.
Man of the Match (MOM) : David Warner for his composed come back bagged the Man of the Match award.
Result : Australia beat Afganistan with 7 wickets and 91 balls remaining.