In the end, an easy win for Australia. First they bowled brilliantly to restrict Afghanistan to 207. Then they chased down the total with utmost ease, marshalled by Warner and Finch. A good dominating start from the defending champions. Afghanistan will sit down and asses what went wrong for them. This is a long tournament, so plenty of time for them to pull their socks up and notch a win.
Thank You for joining this live update.
The man of the moment
"Good to be back. Great win and good start for us. Gotta keep the ball rolling. Nerves getting back into the camp and getting back into the full intensity of training. "
David Warner has been declared Man of the Match for the excellent unbeaten 89 off 114 balls
Let us see what the captains have to say
Gulbadin Naib:They are a champion side, so you can't have any mistake against them. We didn't have a good start with our openers, so obviously we were a bit on the back foot. After that Rahmat and Nabi got stuck in the wicket, so the pressure was there. Looking at the England conditions, you can take this kind of step (bringing in Hamid). Hope there is something for spin in the upcoming matches.
Aaron Finch:Always a bit of nerves, we've been training together so long now. We were probably ready to go four days ago, long build up. But good to get a first win. Wickets in the Powerplay are crucial to any side, if you look at the data, so pretty good to get a couple early. Couple of sharp run-out chances from Smithy. I felt good today, you get a couple away early and get a good flow going.
In the end, maybe that made the difference between the two teams
Australia 209/3, Win by 7 wickets
34.1 Mujeeb to Warner, dot ball. Australia just one hit away
34.2 Mujeeb to Warner, single. Playing this safe, David
34.3 Mujeeb to Smith, dot ball.
34.4 Out! Smith 18(27) c Zazai b Mujeeb. Smith was surprised by the bounce, and some relief for Mujeeb. It has been a hard day for him
34.5 Four! Maxwell thrashes this full ball to the boundary, and Australia win by 7 wickets. Commanding, dominating win for the defending champions
Australia 204/2, needs 4 runs more to win
33.1 Rashid to Warner, dot ball
33.2 Rashid to Warner, another of the numerous twos.
33.3 Rashid to Warner, single
33.4 Rashid to Smith, another single
33.5 Rashid to Warner. dot ball
33.6 Rashid to Warner , single
Australia 199/2 (33), needs 9 runs more to win
32.1 Mujeeb to Smith, one run
32.2 Mujeeb to Warner, two runs
32.3 Mujeeb to Warner, takes a single
32.4 Mujeeb to Smith, takes a couple. This is good running
32.5 Mujeeb to Smith, one run
32.6 Mujeeb to Warner, one run
Australia 191/2 (32), needs 17 runs more
31.1 Dawlat to Smith, dot ball
31.2 Dawlat to Smith, strolls for a single. Easy pickings now.
31.3 Dawlat to Warner, takes another single
31.4 Dawlat to Smith, no run
31.5 Dawlat to Smith, short ball, Smith ducks under it
31.6 Dawlat to Smith, single
Australia 188/2 (31), needs 20 runs more
30.1 Mujeeb to Warner, two runs. Warner is finding his mojo back
30.2 Mujeeb to Warner, dot ball
30.3 Mujeeb to Warner, just takes a single
30.4 Mujeeb to Smith, Four! Outside edge goes to the boundary
30.5 Mujeeb to Smith, dot ball
30.6 Single to finish the over
Australia 180/2 (30), needs 28 runs more
29.1 Dawlat to Warner, takes a couple. A bit of hesitation in the middle and Smith could have been in trouble
29.2 Dawlat to Warner, dot ball
29.3 Dawlat to Warner, picks up a couple again. Australia nearing to victory
29.4 Four! Warner plays a checked off drive. Sublime!
29.5 Dawlat to Warner, dot ball
29.6 Dawlat to Warner, takes a quick single
Australia 171/2 (29), needs 37 runs more
28.1 Rashid to Warner, single
28.2 Rashid to Smith, single
28.3 Rashid to Warner, dot ball
28.4 Rashid to Warner, single Milking the bowling now
28.5 Rashid to Smith, one run
28.6 Rashid to Warner, one run
Australia 166/2 (28) , needs 42 runs more
27.1 Hamid to Smith, dot ball
27.2 Hamid to Smith, dot ball
27.3 Hamid to Smith, single
27.4 Hamid to Warner, takes a single off leg-bye
27.5 Hamid to Smith, dot ball
27.6 Hamid to Smith, dot ball
Australia 164/2 (27)
26.1 Rashid to Warner, one run
26.2 Rashid to Smith, dot ball
26.3 Rashid to Smith, dot ball
26.4 Rashid to Smith, runs for a single
26.5 Rashid to Warner, takes one run off leg bye. Wait! Afghanistan reviews. Third umpire says not out
26.6 Rashid to Smith, takes a quick single
Australia 160/2 (26)
25.1 Hamid Hassan to Warner, one run
25.2 Hamid to Smith, Wide
25.2 Hamid to Smith, takes a single to mark his comeback
25.3 Hamid to Warner, dot ball
25.4 Hamid to Warner, another dot ball. He is going slow here
25.5 Hamid to Warner, played it late for a single
25.6 Hamid to Smith, dot ball
Australia 156/2 (25)
24.1 Rashid to Khawaja, takes a single
24.2 Rashid to Warner dot ball
It was Warner slowest ever fifty, off 74 balls
24.3 Rashid to Warner, Four!
24.4 Rashid to Warner, takes a single
24.5 Rashid to Khawaja, dot ball
24.6 Out! Khawaja 15(20) lbw Rashid Khan. That was plumb.
Australia 150/1 (24)
23.1 Nabi to Warner, one run
23.2 Nabi to Khawaja, takes a single
23.3 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
23.4 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
23.5 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
23.6 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
Australia 148/1 (23), Warner brings up his fifty
22.1 Rashid to Khawaja, one run
22.2 Rashid to Warner, Four runs! Brings up his fifty
22.3 Warner takes a single
22.4 Dot ball
22.5 Dot ball
22.6 Dot ball
Australia 142/1 (22)
21.1 Nabi to Khawaja, 5Wides! Poor from Shahzad again! This is slack keeping
21.1 Khawaja takes a single
21.2 Dot ball
21.3 Warner takes a single
21.4 Four! First boundary for Khawaja
21.5 Dot ball
21.6 Khawaja takes a single off the last ball
Australia 130/1 (21)
20.1 Naib to Khawaj, dot ball
20.2 Naib to Khawaj, uses the wrist and takes a single
20.3 Naib to Warner, dot ball
20.4 Four! Warner pounces on that short ball, cuts that to the point boundary
20.5 Naib to Warner, picks up a couple
20.6 Naib to Warner, no ball! Free-hit coming up!
20.6 Wide and the free-hit remains!
20.6 Slower ball and Warner muscles this for a single only
Australia 117/1 (20)
19.1 Nabi to Khawaja, dot ball
19.2 Khawaja takes a single
19.3 Warner runs for a single
19.4 5Wide! Poor keeping from Shahzad
19.4 Takes a single
19.5 Dot ball
19.6 Dot ball again
Australia 109/1 (19)
18.1 Naib to Warner, dot ball
18.2 Naib to Warner, a loud "No" from Warner to Khawaja
18.3 Naib to Warner, picks a single
18.4 Naib to Khawaj, runs down to the third man for a single
18.5 Four! Warner pulls, and a misfield from Zazai allows a boundary
18.6 Naib to Warner, dot ball
Australia 103/1 (18)
17.1 Rashid to Warner, dot ball
17.2 Dot ball, googly!
17.3 Four runs! Finally a boundary from Warner
17.4 Warner takes a single
17.5 Rashid to Khawaja, no run
17.6 Dot ball
Australia 98/1 (16)
16.3 Naib to Warner, wide
16.3 Naib to Warner, dot ball
16.4 Naib to Warner, dot ball. Warner is under pressure
16.5 Dot again. They are not allowing Warner to free his arms
16.6 Naib to Warner, takes a single
Naib breaks a massive opening stand
16.1 Naib to Finch, two runs
16.2 Out! Finch 66(49) c Mujeeb b Naib! Finch has thrown away his wicket, Afghanistan has the breakthrough!
15.1 Rashid to Finch, picks up a couple
15.2 Rashid to Finch, takes a single
15.3 Rashid to Warner, beats him!
15.4 Rashid to Warner, two runs
15.5 Rashid to Warner, takes a single
15.6 Finch takes a single
Australia 87/0 (15) Meanwhile, Finch has registered his fifty
14.1 Nabi to Warner, one run
14.2 Nabi to Finch, one run
14.3 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
14.4 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
14.5 Nabi to Warner, runs for a single
14.6 Nabi to Finch, takes a single
Australia 83/0 (14)
Rashid comes into the attack
13.1 Rashid to Finch, Four! Cuts this powerfully to the boundary
13.2 Six! Finch has muscled that into the crowd. 10 off Rashid's first 2 balls
13.3 Rashid to Finch, takes a single
13.4 Rashid to Warner, cuts this for two
13.5 Rashid to Warner, dot ball
13.6 Rashid to Warner, takes a single. Expensive over, 14 off it.
Australia 69/0 (13)
12.1 Nabi to Finch, one run
12.2 Nabi to Warner, tight! Warner escapes a run-out chance! Lucky, very lucky!
12.3 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
12.4 Nabi to Warner, dot ball
12.5 Nabi to Warner, steals a single
12.6 Nabi to Finch, one run
Australia 66/0 (Overs 12)
11.1 Naib to Warner, one run
11.2 Naib to Finch, dot ball
11.3 Six! Hammered over mid-wicket by Finch!
11.4 Naib to Finch, takes a single
11.5 Naib to Warner, dot ball
11.6 Naib to Warner, dot ball to finish
Australia 58/0 (Overs 11)
10.1 Mohammad Nabi to Warner, takes a single
10.2 Nabi to Finch, picks up a couple
10.3 Nabi to Finch, dot ball
10.4 Nabi to Finch, dot ball
10.5 Nabi to Finch, dot ball
10.6 And dot ball to finish a good over
Australia 55/0 (10)
The captains brings himself into the attack
9.1 Naib to Warner, dot ball
9.2 Naib to Warner, dot ball
9.3 Naib to Warner, dot ball
9.4 Naib to Warner, takes a quick single. Good running
9.5 Naib to Finch, dot ball
9.6 Naib to Finch, dot ball
Australia 54/0 (9)
8.1 Dawlat to Finch, no run
8.2 Dawlat to Finch, no run. Good pace from Dawlat
8.3 Six! Short from Dawlat and punished by Finch!
8.4 Dawlat to Finch, dot ball
8.5 Dawlat to Finch, dot ball
8.6 Four! Goes past extra cover and it races towards boundary
Australia 44/0 (Overs 8)
7.1 Hamid to Warner dot ball
7.2 Dot ball
7.3 Dot ball
7.4 Hamid to Warner, anothe dot ball
7.5 Dot ball
7.6 Turns out to be a maiden over
Australia 44/0 (Overs 7)
6.1 Dawlat to Warner, dot ball
6.2 Dawlat to Warner, dot ball
6.3 Dawlat to Warner, god leave
6.4 Dawlat to Warner, takes a single
6.5 Dawlat to Finch, wide
6.5 Dawlat to Finch, picks up a couple. Good work from Rashid Khan
6.6 Dawlat to Finch, dot ball
Australia 40/0 (Overs 6)
5.1 Hamid to Warner, Four! Edged and Dropped!
5.2 Hamid to Warner, dot ball
5.3 Hamid to Warner, takes a quick single!
5.4 Hamid to Finch, beatenby pace!
5.5 Hamid to Finch, no run
5.6 Hamid to Finch, dot ball
5.4
Australia 35/0 (Overs 5)
4.1 Dawlat Zadran to Warner, No ball! And Free-hit!
4.1 Dawlat to Warner, Four! Takes full advantage of the free-hit
4.2 Dawlat to Warner, dot ball
4.3 Dawlat to Warner, dot ball
4.4 Dawlat to Warner , dot ball. Three consecutive
4.5 Dawlat to Warner, tucksthat one to the leg side for a single
4.6 Dwlat to Finch, dot ball
Australia29/0 (Overs 4)
3.1 Hamid Hassan to Warner, picks up a single
3.2 Hamid to Finch, dot ball
3.3 Hmid toFinch, played and a miss! Impressive from Hamid!
3.4 Hamid to Finch, dot ball. The speed of that ball was 142 kph!
3.5 Hamid to Finch, dot ball
3.6 Four! Thick edge, ball goes to the boundary
Australia 24/0 (Overs 3)
2.1 Mujeeb to Finch, dot ball
2.2 Six! Finch is blunting the Mujeed threat , if there was any
2.3 Mujeeb to Finch, dot ball
2.4 Goes for the hoick Finch, can only pick up the single
2.5 Mujeeb to Warner, picks up 3 runs
2.6 Four! Finch flicks this fine down the leg side
Australia 10/0 (Overs 2)
1.1 Hamid Hassan to Warner, beaten!
1.2 Hamid to Warner, beaten again!
1.3 Hamid to Warner, dot ball. The ball is swinging nicely
1.4 Hamid to Warner, left alone by the southpaw
1.5 Hamid to Warner, dot ball
1.6 Hamid to Warner, dot ball. Maiden over
Australia 10/0 (Over 1)
Mujeed to start
0.1 Mujeeb to Finch, flicks this for a sing;e
0.2 Mujeeb to Warner, takes a single. Welcome back David
0.3 Four! Finch drives this for four. Too full from Mujeeb
0.4 Another four! Finch is attacking early
0.5 Mujeeb to Finch, dot ball.
0.6 Mujeeb to Finch, dot ball
Australia's openers David Warner and Aaron Finch walks out into the middle
Ready for the UCL final?
Australian fans kept the buzz going during the match
Australia needs 208 runs to win this match. Afghanistan: Just pick wickets
They hobbled, they wobbled, and eventually ended up at 207. Naib and Zadran stitched a good partnership in the middle overs, and in the end Rashid Khan and Mujeeb provided the flourish to help their team post a respectable total. Not a big one, but something to fight for.
Australia bowled beautifully. Despite getting hit, the bowlerskept the line and length steady, frequently using the short ball. Cummins and Zampa took 3 wickets apiece, with Stoinis and Starc providing excellent support. Australia must be happy with the target, as they look to win their first match of ICC 2019World Cup.
Rashid Khan notched up a quickfire 27 off 11 balls to propel Afghanistan past 200
Afghanistan 207 (Overs 38.2)
38.1 Cummins to Mujeeb, dot ball
38.2 Out! Mujeeb ur Rahman 13(9) b Cummins. Finishes off in style. A delightful sight for a fast bowler, stumps ate shattered
Afghanistan 207/9 (Overs 38)
37.4 Zampa to Hamid Hassan ,a takes a single
37.5 Zampa to Mujeeb, onerun
37.6 Zampa to Hamid, no run
Zampa strikes, takes out Rashid
Zampa back into the attack
37.1 Zampa to Mujeeb, one run
37.2 Six! This is Khan-storm! Rashid smashes it straight for a six. Bring up the team's 200
37.3 Out! Rashid Khan 27(11) lbw Zampa. That was plumb in fornt of the wicket. Rashid tried to sweep, missed it altogether. Rashid reviewd, but it was always going to be out. But what an innings!
Afghanistan 198/8 (Overs 37)
36.1 Cummins to Mujeed, dot ball
36.2 Four! Mujeeb can smash too!!
36.3 Swing and a miss! Short from Cummins. No run
36.4 Six! This is absolute bonker! Top edge goes for six! The spinners of Afghanistan are having a party here
36.5 Cummins to Mujeeb, one run
36.6 Dot ball to finish another expensive over. 11 off it
Afghanistan 187/8 (Overs 36)
Out comes young Mujeeb
35.1 Stoinis to Rashid, wide
35.1 Stoinis to Rashid dot ball
35.2 Six! Rashid comes down the track and tonks this over mid-wicket
35.3 Stoinis to Rashid, dot ball
35.4 Four! Rashid is swinging his bat for some valuable runs here. Again, the mide-wicket region
35.5 FOUR AGAIN! Goes over the mid-off, sensible slog from Rashid
35.6 Six! Stoinis is baffled! Rashid you beauty! 21 runs from the over!
Afghanistan 166/8 (Overs 35)
Cummins comes back in to the attack
34.1 Cummins to Dawlat, dot ball
34.2 Cummins to Dawlat, dot ball
34.3 Cummins to Dawlat, dot ball
34.4 Dot ball, Dawlat is looking uneasy against Cummins' express pace
34.5 Four! And he hits a boundary! That will give Dawlat some relief
34.6 Out! Dawlat Zadran 4(6) c Carey b Cummins
Afghanistan 162/7 (Overs 34)
33.6 Stoinis to Rashid, dot ball
Stoinis strikes again!
Short ball does the trick again
33.2 Stoinis to Zadran, dot ball
33.3 Stoinis to Zadran, top edge! Landed between two fielders, takes a single
33.4 Stoinis to Rashid Khan, takes a single
33.5 Out! Zadran 51 (49) c Carey b Stoinis
Zadran brings up his 50off 46 deliveries
33.1 Out! Naib 31 (33) c Carey b Stoinis
Afghanistan 160/5 (Overs 33)
32.1 Starc to N. Zadran, no run
32.2 Another dot ball
32.3 Wide
32.3 Starc to Zadran, takes a single
32.4 Starc to Naib, takes a run off leg bye
32. 5 Starc to Zadran, dot ball
32.6 Vicious short ball, but it goes for four! Top edge over the keeper.
Afghanistan 153/5 (Overs 32)
31.1 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, single
31.2 Coulter-Nile to Naib, one run
31.3 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, one run. Did not touch the crease properly, pointed out Aleem Dar. No run
31.4 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, norun.
31.5 Zadran takes a single
31.6 Six! Naib thumps this!
Afghanistan 143/5 (Overs 31 )
30.1 Starc to Zadran, no run. Ouch! That must have hurt him, thudding into his pads
30.2 Starc to Zadran, dot ball
30.3 Starc to Zadra, dot ball. Zadran is itching to get off the strike
30.4 Four! Played it fine using the pace, down the leg-side. Well done Zadran
30. 5 Starc to Zadran, takes a quick single
30. 6 Four runs
Afghanistan 134/5 (Overs 30)
29.1 Coulter-Nile to Naib, takes a single
29.2 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, wide. Nathan strays
29.2 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, dot ball
29.3 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, dot ball
29.4 Steals a run from the overthrow
29.5 Naib pulls this hansomely, takes a couple
29.6 Coulter-Nile to Naib, dot ball
Afghanistan 129/5 (0vers 29)
28.1 Zampa to Zadran, good shot for a single
28.2 Zampa to Naib, a single
28.3 Four! Zadran plays the paddle sweep to good effect
28.4 Four! Short outside off, and thrashed by Zadran! Audacious from Zadran!
28.5 Six! Smaks this wide of long-on. Zadran is taking Zampa to the cleaners.
28.6 Six! Over deeo mid-wicket! Expensive over from Zampa, 22 runs!
Afghanistan 107/5 (Overs 28)
27.1 Coulter-Nile to Naib, dot ball
27.2 Coulter-Nile to Naib, dot ball
27.3 Coulter-Nile using the short ball. Another dot
27.4 Coulter-Nile to Naib, dot ball. Defended solidly
27.5 Short ball again! No run
27. 6 Maiden over from Coulter-Nile
Afghanistan 107/5, (Overs 27)
26.1Zampa to Naib, takes a single
26.2 Zampa to Zadran, dot ball
26.3 Zampa to Zadran, Four runs!
26.4 Zampa to Zadran, dot ball
26.5 Dot ball
26.6 Dot ball
Afghanistan 102/5 (Overs 26)
25.1 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, brilliant stop by Smith. No run
25.2 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, dot ball
25.3 Four! Zadran carves this through the point
25.4 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, dot ball
25.5 Coulter-Nile to Zadran, dot ball
25.6 Short ball and Zadran ducks under it. Dot ball
Afghanistan 98/5 (Overs 25)
Zampa back into the attack
24.1 Zampa to Zadran, dot ball
24.2 Zampa to Zadran, takes a single
Australian fielders chirping around the batsman
24.3 Zampa to Naib, runs for a single
24.4 Four! Zadran simple crashed it! Such a powerful reverse sweep!
24.5 Zampa to Zadran, takes a single
24.6 Zampa to Naib, dot ball to finish the over
Afghanistan 91/5 (Overs 24)
23.1 Cummins to Zadran, no run
23.2 Cummins to Zadran, dot ball. Consecutive
23.3 Cummins to Zadran, no run again. Pressure mounting on Zadran
23.4 Cummins to Zadran, dot ball
23.5 Short ball, fended at it for a single. Naib on strike
23.6 Short ball again, and no run
Afghanistan 90/5 (Overs 23)
Stoinis to continue from the other end
22.1 Stoinis to Naib, dot ball to start the over
22.2 Stoinis to Naib, flicks this. No run
22.3 Four! Shouts of catch, by the ball will race away to the boundary. Lovely flick off the pads from Naib
22.4 Stoinis to Naib, dot ball
22.5 Stoinis to Naib, dot ball
22.6 Another mix-up! Dot ball to finish. Horrible running between the wickets here
Afghanistan 86/5 (Overs 22)
21.1 Cummins to Naib, Four runs! Slashed that hard!
21.2 Dot ball, good comeback from Cummins
21.3 Four again! Naib making amends!
21.4 Dot ball, played and beaten!
21.5 Dot ball, Zadran call "no no no!"
21.6 Fuller length, and Naib pushes it for a single
Afghanistan 77/5 (Overs 21)
Smith in the thick of the action. First the catch, then the run out. Whatta comeback till now!
20.3 Stoinis to Zadran, dot ball. Afghanistan in deep trouble here.
20.4 Stoinis to Zadran, dot ball
20. 5 Stoinis to Zadran, dot ball again. Pressure building for Afghanistan
20.6 A dot ball to finish a good over
Nabi gone, Afghanistan sinks further!
20.1 Stoinis to Nabi, dot ball
20.2 Out! Nabi 7 (22) run out (Smith/Carey)
Captain Naib walks out into the middle, Afghanistan wobbling at 77/4 (Overs 20)
19.3 Zampa to Naib, takes a single
19.4 Zampa to Nabi, dot ball
19.5 Nabi takes a single
19.6 Dot ball, Naib tried to play it fine
Zampa strikes again!
19.1 Zampa to Shah, dot ball
19.2 Out! Rahmat Shah 43(60) c Smith b Zampa
Afghanistan 75/3 (Overs 19)
Marcus Stoinis is back into the attack.
18.1 Stoinis to Nabi, single
18.2 Stoinis to Shah, dot ball
18.3 Stoinis to Shah, takes a single
18.4 Stoinis to Nabi, no run. Nabi defends watchfully
18.5 Stoinis to Nabi, no run. Nabi jabed at it
18.6 Dot ball to finish the over
Afghanistan 73/3 (Overs 18)
17.1 Zampa to Nabi, dot ball
17.2 Zampa bowls a google, no run
17.3 Dot ball
17.4 Shah takes a single
17.5 Nabi plays it straight past the bowler and sets off for a single
17.6 No run, Shah drives this back ti the bowler
Afghanistan 69/3 (Overs 17)
Starc to continue
16.1 A 147 KPH BULLET, no run
16.2 Dot ball, strikes Shah's pads
16.3 Four! Full, angling away, and driven by Shah
16.4 Plays a straight-drive and no run
16.5 Dot ball as Shahleaves it alone
16.6 Shahtakes a single
Afghanistan 64/3 (Overs 16)
15.1 Zampa to Nabi, dot ball
15.2 Zampa to Nabi, takes a single
15.3 Four! Short ball and pulled away firmly by Shah
15.4 Dot ball, Shah reaches out and defends
15.5 Shah takes a single
15.6 Dot, Nabi plays it back to bowler
Afghanistan 58/3 (Overs 15)
14.1 Starc comes back, no run as defended back to the bowler
14.2 Dot ball, Nabi leaves it safely
14.3 No run, defends towards cover
14.4 Dot ball, Nabi taking his time. Good composure.
14.5 Dot ball
14.6 Scrambled single to end the over as Nabi flicks it softly
Afghanistan 57/3 (Overs 14)
A timely break for Australia, just when Afghanistan was building a partnership. Nabi comes into the middle
13.6 Nabi drives this for a single
Spin for the first time and Zampa strikes!
13.1 Zampa to Shah, one run
13.2 Zampa to Shahid, single
13.3 Zampa to Shah, picks up a couple
13.4 Single, Shahn rotates the strike
13.5 Out! Shah st Carey b Zampa! Did not take it cleanly, but Carey kept his cool
Afghanistan 51/2, (Overs 13)
12.1 Coulter-Nile to Shahid, two runs
12.2 No run
12.3 No run again, Coulter-Nile keeping a good line
12.4 Dot, swing and a miss from Shahidi
12.5 Dot ball, not a threatning ball from Nathan
12.6 Dot ball to finish the over
Afghanistan 49/2 (Overs 12)
11.1 Stoinis to Shah, dot ball. Defends well
11.2 Dot, just misses the outside edge! Beauty from Stoinis!
11.3 Dot, Shah drivesit with soft hands
11.4 Shah takes a single, and a loud cheer from the Afghan fans
11.5 Wide. Short from Stoinis, Shahidi treis to uppercut it
11.5 Shahid drives to take a single
11.6 Wide again from Stoinis
11.6 Dot ball to finish
Afghanistan 45/2 (Overs 11)
10.1 Coulter-Nile to Shahidi, dot
10.2 Four! Shahidi punches it on front foot, and a nasty bounce in front of the fielder allows it to go for four
10.3 Dot ball, hits him on the pads
10.4 Dot ball, driven to mid-off
10.5 Four! Second of the over. Bouncer, top edge goes to the boundary
10. 6 Dot, Shahidi defends it back
Afghanistan 37/2 (Over 10)
Stoinis to bowl his first over
9.1 No run, Stoinis continuing the good work of others
9.2 No run, perfect line and length
9.3 Dot again, Shah feeling the pressure here
9.4 Four! Pulls it for four! Good footwork and balance
9.5 Dot. Shout of no from Shahidi as Shah looked for a run
9.6 Dot. Played and beaten by the short ball
Afghanistan 33/2 (Overs 9)
Nathan Coulter-Nile to continue
8.1 Dot, Coulter- Nile bowling a tight line
8.2 Dot again. Is he setting something up here?
8.3 Dot. Same line and length
8.4 Shah takes a single
8.5 Dot, Shahidi defends it to cover
8.6 Dot. Only one from the over.
Afghanistan 32/2 (Overs 8)
7.1 Dot. Shah playing it safe here
7.2 Pushes it for a single, Afghanistan rotating strike well
7.3 Wide, down the leg-side
7.3 Dot. Jabs at the ball with soft hands
7.4 Dot. Shahid plays it back to the bowler
7.5 Dot, vicious bouncer from Cummins! Just over Shahidi's shoulder
7.6 Dot, good batting from Shahidi
Afghanistan 30/2 (Overs 7)
Nathan Coulter-Nile comes as the first change
6.1 Shahidi takes a single
6.2 No run, Shah leaves it. Good judgement.
6.3 Four! Into the pads, and Shah flicks it tothe on side boundary
6.4 Wide
6.4 Misfield and Shah takes a single. Bowler not happy at all
6.5 Dot. Shahidi plays it safely to the cover
6.6 Dot again.
Afghanistan 23/2 (Overs 6)
5.1 Cummins to Shah, no run
5.2 Dot again, Shah defends
5.3 Flicks this to leg side, no run
5.4 Defended with a straight bat, no run.
Cummins with impeccable line and length
5.5 Four! Pulls this to the deep square leg for four! Good shot from Shah. Afghanistan recovering slowly.
5.6 Good leave from Shah, no run
Australia 19/0 (Overs 5)
4.1 Dot. Australia troubling with pace
4.2 Looking for the yorker, Shahidi flicks this for single.
4.3 Back of a length, Shah fends at it safely
Very good tunrout for this match
4.4. Carrey appeals! But Finch does not review, good decision. Cliping the pads
4.5 Dot. Australia keeping it tight
4.6 Shah tentatively reaches out, and a single
Afghanistan 17/2 (Overs 4)
3.1 Cummns drifts on to pads and Shah picks up a couple
3.2 Dot. Shah made the adjustment in the last moment
3.3 Dot. Shah defends it towards the point
3.4 Shouts of catch but falls safely! No run
3.5 Dot. Shah defends this again towards the point. Cummins keeping a straight line
3.6 Four! Inside edge and goes to the boundary. Lucky runs.
Afghanistan 11/2 (Overs 3)
2.1 Four! Shahidi drives it for four through cover
2.2 Dot! Starc is looking for another wicket here
2.3 Dot. Starc on the slot
2.4 Dot. Afghanistan is tied up here
2.5 Wide. Down the leg-side from Starc
2.5 Dot again!
2.6 Dot. Shahidi blocks this confidently.
Afghanistan 6/2 (Overs 2)
1.3 PLAYED AND BEATEN! CUMMINS YOU BEAUTY!
1.4 Shahidi take a single
1.5 Dot. Good front foot defence from Shah
1.6 Dot. Well bowled Cummins. Pressure on Afghanistan.
Cummins strikes, Afghanistan in trouble
1.1Outswing from Pat Cummins and Shah leaves it alone. But No ball!
1.1 Shah swings at it, and they take a single.
1.2 Out! Zazai 0 (2) c Carrey b Cummins. Swing outside the off stump, Zazai plays at it, and the thick edge safely taken by Carrey
Afghanistan 3/1 (Over 1)
Rahmat Shah walks into the middle.
0.4 Dot. Shah blocks this solidly. Starc is breathing fire.
0.5 First runs for Afghanistan. Shah flicks this to the deep mid-wicket, and they run for 3.
0.6 Strays into the leg side, clips the pads. No run.
Starc draws the first blood!
0.1 Full and swinging! 140 kph, right in the slot. Shahzad blocks.
0.2 DOT, tentaive from Shahzad.
0.3Out! Shahzad b Starc 0 (3). Starc hits the stumps will a ball that is full and swings back in! Shahzad goes for a duck.
Time for the national anthems
The two teams line-up for the national anthem as the fans give them a loud cheer.
The Comebacks
All eyes will be on Steve Smith and David Warner as they return after serving a one year ban for ball tampering. Theyplayed in the recently concluded IPL, but the World Cup is a different ball game altogether.
Playing XI of the two sides
Afghanistan:Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (capt), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Hamid Hassan, Dawlat Zadran
Australia:Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk),Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Afghanistan win the toss, will bat first
Aaron Finch: "I would have batted first as well, looks like a good wicket. Not disappointed, but would have been good to put up a score. Hopefully we can get some movement early and gets some early wickets. Usman's form in the last 14-15 games has been impossible to ignore, so has Shaun's (Marsh) to be honest, but unfortunately he misses out. Nathan Lyon, Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendorff are missing out as well."
Gulbadin Naib: ''It's quite a good wicket. It's flat and we have three spinners in the side, so that's why we'll bat first and look for a good total on the board. If you beat big teams, champion teams, your morale goes high. Everyone knows about the spinners of Afghanistan. They are very experienced now."
The Underdogs vs The Superpowers
Hello and welcome to the live updates of the World Cup match between Australia andAfghanistan. Australia are in fine form having won both their warm-up matches and the recent ODI series in India and Pakistan. Steve Smith and David Warner are expected to make a comeback from their one year ban. The change in Afghanistan captaincy with Naib getting the armband has created some controversy, but the team have expressed solidarity and unity.
Expect a good clash!