Earlier in the year, Cricket Australia decided not to play an ODI series against Afghanistan because of the deteriorating women’s rights situation in that country. A Test match in 2021 was also cancelled. Since then, there has been a bit of friction between the two boards. Just a couple of days ago, Naveen-ul-Haq, the Afghanistan pacer, also put out an Instagram story that was aimed at Australia.
In that backdrop, the two sides will take each other on at the Wankhede Stadium. It is also an important match for both teams. Afghanistan, with four wins, still have a window of opportunity to progress to the last four, while Australia are on a five-match winning streak and need the two points to stamp their passage into the semi-finals.
Afghanistan will once more depend on their spinners – Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed – to make crucial dents. However, the problem for Afghanistan is that spin has had little effect at the Wankhede during this World Cup.
Meanwhile, Australia welcomed Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, the all-rounders, back into the set-up. The coaching staff are, however, sweating over Steve Smith’s vertigo problem.
Australia depend on David Warner to give quick starts. Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne have also been in good nick. On the bowling front, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood have been the mainstays.
Time and Venue Details
November 7, 14.00 IST, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Expected conditions
The team batting first at the Wankhede has won all the matches in this World Cup so far. So, the side that wins the toss could opt to bat as the ball has also nipped around a touch in the second innings.
Possible XIs
Afghanistan could stick to playing the same XI that defeated Netherlands in their last game.
Afghanistan: 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.
Maxwell, who suffered concussion in a golf-related incident before the match against England, did practice in the nets. Marsh, who had travelled back to Australia for personal reasons, is also available for selection.
Australia: 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.
Matchup
Rashid Khan versus David Warner: The two used to play together for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. It would be interesting to see whether Warner can pick Rashid’s different googlies. Rashid would also be looking to make an impact in the World Cup, having bagged just five wickets so far.
Team Speak
“In such a short time, we achieved a lot compared to other countries. And right now, we know the whole world is talking about our team’s performance. As a team also, we are happy for that. But I think as a captain, it’s not enough for me, looking forward for the other games. Tomorrow is one of the important games for us. And we will not relax until we sit back and plan and go back to country, until that we will fight as a team. We are here to fight and we will try our best.” – Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan captain.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a decision that’s made by higher authorities. We’ve played against Afghanistan in the recent T20 World Cup at home, and we’re set to play tomorrow, so it’s not a decision that I have control over. It’s beyond my pay grade.” – Steve Smith, Australia batter, on not playing Afghanistan in bilaterals.