Afghanistan and Australia are set to clash in the 48th match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at Arnos Vale Ground, Kingstown, St Vincent. The match will commence at 6:00 AM IST on June 23. This game is crucial for Afghanistan, who need a victory to keep their semi-final hopes alive after a heavy defeat to India.
Afghanistan Team Preview
Afghanistan entered the Super 8 stage with confidence after securing victories against New Zealand, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea. However, their momentum was halted by India, who defeated them by 47 runs. Chasing 182, Afghanistan managed only 134, leading to a significant dent in their net run rate. This match against Australia is a must-win for Afghanistan to stay in contention for the semi-finals.
Predicted Playing XI:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Hazratullah Zazai
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Najibullah Zadran
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Rashid Khan (c)
- Noor Ahmad
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia Team Preview
Australia secured a comfortable win against Bangladesh in a rain-affected match, maintaining their undefeated streak in the tournament. They will look to continue their winning form against Afghanistan, especially with a crucial game against India on the horizon.
Predicted Playing XI:
- Travis Head
- David Warner
- Mitchell Marsh (c)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Tim David
- Matthew Wade (wk)
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc
- Adam Zampa
- Josh Hazlewood
Match Details
Live Streaming and Broadcast:
- TV Channels: Star Sports, PTV, Ten Sports, Willow TV, ESPN Caribbean, Sky Cricket, Sky Sport NZ, SuperSport.
- Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar, Myco, Tamasha, ESPN Play Caribbean, SkyGO, NOW TV, Prime Video, SuperSport.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
Pitch Report: The Arnos Vale Ground has been a low-scoring venue, with the last game seeing Bangladesh defend 106. The pitch offers assistance to bowlers, especially spinners. Expect a challenging game for batsmen, with a target around 130-140 being competitive.
Weather Report: Rain is expected in St. Vincent during the match day, with humidity at 79% and wind speeds of 26 km/h. However, the weather is likely to clear up in time for the game.
Toss Prediction: Teams have preferred to bowl first due to the rain and helpful bowling conditions. The captain winning the toss is likely to opt for chasing.
Winning Prediction
Australia enters the match as favorites due to their unbeaten run and balanced team performance. Afghanistan, despite their setbacks, can put up a strong fight, especially if their key players perform. However, Australia’s depth and form give them the edge.
Prediction: Australia to win the match.
Australia is expected to continue their winning streak, leveraging their superior form and balanced squad. Afghanistan will need to bring their A-game, especially in batting, to stay in the tournament. Backing Australia to win is the safer bet given their current form and depth.