AUS vs AFG Pitch Report: Red-hot Australia take on high-flying Afghanistan in a crucial clash for a top-four finish at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Aussies have found their mojo again following a slow start to the tournament, while the Afghans are riding high with four wins on their back. The semifinal race is now getting more intense.
This game would hold less relevance had Afghanistan not being able to do what they are doing in the tournament. They won only one match across two World Cups before this edition and now stand near history as they eye a semifinal spot. The Afghans have 4 wins in 7 outings, while the Aussies have 5 in 7. A win will take the five-time champions into the last four.
Wankhede Stadium pitch report
The Wankhede Stadium pitch is one of the best surfaces to bat on in India. There have been three matches played at the venue with the willow hodlers having some dream time out in the middle South Africa have played two matches and have scored 399 and 382 runs, while batting first. India have been here once against Sri Lanka and scored 357 in the recent game played here.
Mumbai weather
The Mumbai weather is clear from dark clouds. There is only a 1% chance of rain coming down in Mumbai today. However, the air quality is 'poor' in the city with some parts experiencing AQI over over 200.
Wankhede Stadium - The numbers game
Matches won batting first 17
Matches won bowling first 15
Average 1st Inns scores 247
Average 2nd Inns scores 196
The highest total recorded 438/4 (50 Ov) by RSA vs IND
The lowest total recorded 55/10 (19.4 Ov) by SL vs IND
Highest score chased 284/4 (49 Ov) by NZ vs IND
The lowest score defended 192/9 (50 Ov) by WI vs IND
Probable Playing XIs:
Australia's predicted XI:
David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith/Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
Afghanistan's predicted XI:
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
