Australia faces nervous wait after avoiding T20 World Cup humiliation

Australia has kept its T20 World Cup dream alive, but the reigning champions face a nervous wait to see whether their tournament is over.

Pat Cummins of Australia. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Too little, too late.

Australia has defeated Afghanistan by four runs at Adelaide Oval to keep its T20 World Cup dream alive, but the reigning champions face a nervous wait to see whether their defence campaign is over.

The equation is now painfully simple for Australia. If Sri Lanka defeats England in Sydney on Saturday evening, they’re through to the semi-finals. If England wins, their tournament is over.

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Australia finds itself in such a precarious situation because of its woeful net run rate, which took a battering after last month’s massive loss to New Zealand.

Despite recording comfortable wins over Sri Lanka, Ireland and Afghanistan, their net run rate never truly recovered, currently sitting at -0.173.

“We put ourselves in that situation, been trying to chase a bit of run rate but it hasn’t gone our way," Australian captain Matthew Wade said during the post-match presentation.

“We were a bit slow out of the blocks this tournament, hopefully it doesn’t cost us.”

Australia made three changes to its starting XI for Friday's must-win match, with Steve Smith and Cameron Green replacing the injured Aaron Finch and Tim David.

Meanwhile, talented paceman Mitchell Starc was axed in favour of Kane Richardson, a baffling selection gamble that left many commentators scratching their heads.

After Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first, Australia found itself in early trouble at 3/52 in the sixth over. Green edged behind for 2 before Smith was trapped on the front pad for 4, wasting a review before returning to the sheds.

Veteran opener David Warner became a laughing stock after botching a switch-hit attempt against Afghanistan seamer Naveen-ul-Haq, changing into a right-hander only to be bowled through the gate.

West Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh looked on track for a huge total before departing for 45 (30) moments after the drinks break.

Glenn Maxwell of Australia and Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Player of the Match Glenn Maxwell plundered an unbeaten 54 (32) to steer the Australians towards a commendable total of 8/168 from their 20 overs, which felt below par.

Naveen-ul-Haq was superb at the death, conceding just seven runs from his final two overs to finish with figures of 3/21. Australia only mustered 25 runs from their last four overs.

The run chase got off to an explosive start with Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz whacking 30 (17) in the Powerplay, but after he and fellow opener Usman Ghani were dismissed by Richardson and Josh Hazlewood respectively, the flow of runs steadied in the middle overs.

Ibrahim Zadran and Gulbadin Naib combined for a 59-run partnership for the third wicket, picking up the tempo after the drinks break to send some nerves through the Australian camp.

Australia’s fielding was relatively underwhelming, with a dropped catch from Cameron Green accompanied by some sluggish ground fielding on the boundary rope, but Maxwell pulled off a stunning run out in the 14th over, hitting the stumps from 40 metres away to send Naib back to the sheds for 39 (23).

Enter Adam Zampa.

Adam Zampa of Australia. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images

The leg-spinner struck twice in his fourth over of the evening, removing Zadran and Najibullah Zadran in quick succession to swing momentum firmly back in Australia’s favour.

Maxwell’s run out prompted a collapse of 4/5 from nine deliveries and Afghanistan never recovered, ultimately falling four runs short of the 169-run target.

Adelaide Strikers cult hero Rashid Khan provided some late fireworks in front of his makeshift home ground, plundering 48 not out from 23 ball to put Afghanistan within touching distance of a shock win.

It was Australia’s third-consecutive victory of the tournament, but each triumph will be remembered as a missed opportunity to rectify the team’s net run rate.

“We had to put a total on to give ourselves a chance to win the game,” Maxwell told reporters in the post-match press conference.

“They executed well and we couldn’t get away.

“We put ourselves in this situation but hopefully Sri Lanka can do the job for us.”

England will face Sri Lanka at the SCG on Saturday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7pm AEDT. Australian cricket fans will be praying for an upset.

The Aussie have to rely on Sri Lanka beating England now to qualify for finals 🤞
Afghanistan cricketers played brilliantly.👏
Rashid Khan is such a wholehearted superstar 🎯#T20WorldCup2022

— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) November 4, 2022

A bit more polish from Afghanistan and they could have had that.
Australia still haven't found their best cricket, but teams will be wary of playing them in a knockout game should they get there.
Will England handle the pressure tomorrow?
This has been a fantastic#T20WorldCup

— Akash Fotedar (@akashfotedar5) November 4, 2022

What a wonderful game. Afghanistan lost but the talk was all about them. Loved how the narrative changed from how well Australia could win to whether they could actually win.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 4, 2022