World Cup 2023, Match 39 | Afghanistan Predicted XI vs Australia

image-lomyw0peAfghanistan will play against Australia in the 39th match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

Australia and Afghanistan will square off in match 39 of the ongoing 2023 World Cup at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Both teams have had contrasting campaigns in the marquee event. Australia initiated the tournament with a couple of losses against India and Australia. But they pulled their socks in the right time and are now on a five-match winning streak. A win against Afghanistan will secure their qualification spot in the semi finals.

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On the flip side, Afghanistan have had a campaign to remember. This has been their best ever ICC tournament so far in the history of Afghanistan cricket. They are positioned in the sixth spot with eight points in their bucket. They have the same number of points as that of New Zealand and Pakistan. The Atalans have won four of their last five matches and are on the back of a hat-trick of triumphs.

How will the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led unit form against Australia in Wankhede? Let us have a look.


Openers: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran

The Afghans have a set opening pair in the form of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The former is more of an attacking batter and scored three forty-plus runs in the World Cup. He also claimed two fifties- against Pakistan and England. His partner, Ibrahim is known for his consistency but the World Cup has been a bit different for the right-handed batter. He has got several starts but failed to convert it into big scores.


Middle Order: Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, and Ikram Alikhil

The Afghan middle order consists of dependable players such as Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi. The two have been the wall for the team and extracted plenty of runs for the side. The duo are one of the primary reasons why Afghanistan tasted four success in the ongoing World Championship so far.

They will be followed by Ikram Alikhil who is an impressive middle order batter. He notched up 58 runs against England that came in the winning cause.


All-rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan

Azmatullah Omarzai has been a huge positive for the Afghanistan side during this World Cup. Has has batted at no.5 for the Atalans and played some audacious innings, articulating victories for his national side. He is a pure all-rounder and is as effective with the ball as he is with the willow.

Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan are two of the top names from Afghanistan due to their worldwide success in white ball format. They will be an important asset with the bat lower down the order and with their mysteriou spin.


Bowlers: Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Noor Ahmad.

The Afghanistan bowlers used four spinners in their last game. But Wankhede is one of the best venues for pacers and that is the reason why the think tank may bring in Naveen-ul-Haq. He will partner with Fazalhaq Farooqi who gained his form back and will look to trounce the Australian top order early.

But the one who may miss out could be either of Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Noor Ahmad. The latter has been in amazing form with the ball and is an attacking spinner. Left-arm wrist spinners have fared very well in the competition so far and therefore he could be backed over Mujeeb for this important clash.


Afghanistan Predicted XI against Australia

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and Noor Ahmad.