Afghanistan will bat first after captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss ahead of the ODI 39 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday (Nov. 07).

Hashmatullah called it right at the toss and chose to bat first. For the Asian side, Naveen-ul-Haq returned to replace Fazalhaq Farooqi. 

Australia were boosted by the return of Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. Steve Smith, however, missed out due to vertigo issues.

Australia’s hopes of qualifying look set to be boosted with the likely availability of key players Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell after the pair missed the victory over England on Saturday, though it would leave Pat Cummins’ side with a selection dilemma as they try and squeeze all their stars into the XI. 

Australia can book their spot in the knockout stages of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 with a victory over Afghanistan at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

A sixth win on the trot would also ensure that Australia will finish second or third in the standings and set up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with South Africa.

Afghanistan have their hopes in their own hands as victory in both of their two remaining matches would lock in their own semi-final spot, but their first step in that plan will not be simple with a tough encounter against an in-form Australia.

But Hashmatullah Shahidi’s side are also in ominous form and can carry confidence into the crunch clash following three consecutive victories that have breathed life into their campaign.

While Afghanistan will be all out to secure a rousing triumph over the five-time champions, their semi-finals dream would still be alive even in defeat though they would then need to rely on net run rates and other results going their way. 

Both outfits are stacked with spinners that can both rip through a batting line-up and contain runs as early as in the Powerplay.

Adam Zampa will likely be a key for Australia, with the leg-spinner among the leading strike bowlers at the tournament with 19 wickets to have the second-most across all teams so far.

Afghanistan have multiple spin options to turn to with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman their most damaging so far while taking seven wickets apiece.

Australia Playing XIs: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis,  Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Afghanistan Playing XIs: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman,  Naveen-ul-Haq, Noor Ahmad

--ICC