END OF OVER:20 | 9 Runs | AUS: 168/8 | RR: 8.40
- Glenn Maxwell54 (32b)
- Adam Zampa1 (1b)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi4-0-29-2
- Naveen-ul-Haq4-0-21-3
8.12pm: So Australia have got a score on the board... but it's not enough to trouble New Zealand, who become the first team to officially qualify for the semi-finals (Australia had to win by 185 runs to overhaul their NRR). The hosts now need to try and keep Afghanistan to 106 or fewer to get themselves ahead of England's run rate. In fact, our stats editor S Rajesh offers this clarification: "Assuming England score 160 and win by a run, Australia need to keep Afghanistan down to 116 to stay ahead." Matt R will be back in a mo for the chase
Here's Mitch Marsh at the interval: "It'll be competitive. Thought Afghanistan bowled well. We'd obviously like a few more with the situation we're in but first things first we need to win the game. Hopefully we can put pressure on them with early wickets. [Pitch] Slowed up a touch, probably a par score. Tried to push the button earlier, a few of us got out trying to kick on. [Need bug win] Not often you find yourselves in these situations. Going to take something special tonight, hopefully we can do that with the ball."
Adam Zampa walks out for the final over, to be bowled by Farooqi. Maxwell wants to get the strike asap
END OF OVER:19 | 4 Runs 2 Wkts | AUS: 159/8 | RR: 8.36
- Glenn Maxwell46 (27b)
- Naveen-ul-Haq4-0-21-3
- Fazalhaq Farooqi3-0-20-2
KW Richardson run out 1 (6m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 100.00
Naveen stops at the point of delivery... is he looking at Richardson's backing up? Maxwell then pulls out at the last moment. Try again, lads
Kane RIchardson is in
PJ Cummins c Rashid Khan b Naveen-ul-Haq 0 (4m 2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
"Wrote many messages here, but have never seen even a single one published. Writing again... with how much margin Aus needs to win today to put England back?" Surely you've been avidly reading our scenarios pieces, Muhammad?
END OF OVER:18 | 9 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 155/6 | RR: 8.61
- Pat Cummins0 (1b)
- Glenn Maxwell43 (23b)
- Fazalhaq Farooqi3-0-20-2
- Naveen-ul-Haq3-0-17-2
JOYDEEPSINGHGIL: "Why not Tim David playing today is he injured or rested." He's injured, hurt a hamstring against Ireland
Out strides a purposeful-looking Pat Cummins
MS Wade b Fazalhaq Farooqi 6 (14m 8b 1x4 0x6) SR: 75.00
That blow brings up the Australia 150
Three overs to go, how many more can Australia get? Fazalhaq Farooqi returns
END OF OVER:17 | 3 Runs | AUS: 146/5 | RR: 8.58
- Glenn Maxwell35 (20b)
- Matthew Wade5 (6b)
- Naveen-ul-Haq3-0-17-2
- Rashid Khan4-0-29-1
Ankur: "If Australia somehow manage to get into Semis, they'll definitely be the firm favorites to take the trophy as they know how to win in crunch matches and that experience will be more than adequate for them to defend the cup!!"