ICC World Cup 2023, AUS vs AFG | Five Player Battles to Watch Out For

image-lomuggrhSteve Smith (L) and David Warner (R). (X.com)

Australia are on the verge of securing their semi-final spot as they prepare to face a revamped Afghanistan on November 7 in Mumbai. The race for the remaining two semi-final berths is wide open, with only Bangladesh and England eliminated from contention.

The battle for the semi-final spots in the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup has intensified, with six teams still in the running. A victory for Afghanistan would not only keep the race alive but also strengthen their position. Hashmatullah Shahidi has faith in his team's ability to shine against the former champions on the batting-friendly pitch at Wankhede. On the other hand, an Australian win would almost guarantee their place in the semi-finals.

Australia's journey in the World Cup took an unexpected turn when they lost their first two consecutive matches. However, they mounted a remarkable comeback, winning five consecutive matches. A win in this match would seal the semi-final spot for the five-time world champions.

Captain Pat Cummins, displaying exceptional leadership, guided his team to a 33-run victory over England in the last match. His role in leading the bowling attack has been pivotal. The Australian team is showing great promise in the second half of the tournament, and now they are emerging as strong contenders.

Afghanistan has demonstrated their mettle with four wins in their last five matches in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Victories against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Netherlands have been impressive, with only a single defeat to New Zealand. A win against Australia would further emphasize that Afghanistan, often considered underdogs, means business.

One noticeable aspect of Afghanistan's performance has been their composure, which was not as evident in the past. This composure is particularly evident in their batting and bowling, qualities that will be crucial as they face an Australian team brimming with confidence from five consecutive wins.

The clash between Australia and Afghanistan promises to be a thrilling contest that could have a significant influence on the World Cup's semi-final race. Afghanistan, with their newfound composure and skills, will aim to challenge Australia's confident side. The key player battles in this game will add excitement and suspense to this high-stakes encounter. Let's take a look at five such player battles:

Travis Head vs Mujeeb Ur Rahman

image-lomuipxqTravis Head. (AP)

Travis Head made a strong start to the tournament, scoring a century upon returning to international cricket after an injury layoff. However, he struggled in the last game against England. At Wankhede, he will relish facing the Afghan bowlers. Afghanistan's spin specialist, Mujeeb, is a key figure in the powerplay. It will be vital for Afghanistan to dismiss Head early, and Mujeeb's spin variations will play a significant role.

Steve Smith vs Rashid Khan

image-lomukmsoRashid Khan. (PTI)

Steve Smith has had a challenging run in the tournament and is yet to find his form. As the tournament approaches the knockout stage, Australia will be eager for Smith to contribute with the bat. On a batting-friendly surface, Smith will aim for a big score, while Afghanistan's Rashid Khan will be determined to get his wicket. Despite his current form, Smith remains a key wicket, and Rashid's googlies and leg spin will pose a significant threat.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Mitchell Starc

image-lomuly1oMitchell Marsh. (AP)

Mitchell Starc, known for his World Cup exploits, has faced challenges in this tournament. In the last match against England, he regained some confidence by taking a couple of early wickets. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's naturally aggressive player, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, will look to take on Starc. The battle between these two players during the powerplay will add excitement to the game. It remains to be seen who will emerge on top in the clash between Gurbaz's flair and Starc's swing.

Hashmatullah Shahidi vs Pat Cummins

image-lomun8q8Hashmatullah Shahidi. (AP)

In a captain vs. captain battle, Shahidi and Cummins have been instrumental in their teams' middle overs. Shahidi has shown a marked improvement since hitting a fifty against India and has become a pillar of Afghanistan's batting. Cummins, with his short ball tactics, has taken the majority of wickets in this World Cup. He will target Shahidi, who tends to struggle against the short ball. How Shahidi counters Cummins and his short ball strategy will be an intriguing aspect to watch.

Rahmat Shah vs Adam Zampa

image-lomuoi5fAdam Zampa. (Cricket Australia)

This contest between Afghanistan's batting stalwart, Rahmat Shah, and Australia's bowling wizard, Adam Zampa, could play a significant role in the game's outcome. Rahmat has been Afghanistan's most consistent run-scorer in this World Cup, showcasing his ability against both pace and spin. Zampa, on the other hand, has been outstanding with the ball, consistently dismissing seasoned batters. 

Rahmat could be his next target, and it will be crucial for Australia to dismiss the in-form Rahmat to put Afghanistan on the backfoot. Zampa's leg spin poses a substantial threat to Rahmat.