World Cup 2019: Afghanistan vs Australia Match Preview

The fourth match of the ICC World Cup 2019 will be played on 1st June at 6 PM IST between Afghanistan and Australia at The Bristol County Ground, Bristol.

The strength of Afghanistan lies in their spin bowling with the likes of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. They would also be counting on Mohammed Nabi to deliver solid performance with both ball and bat.

On the other hand, Australia look strong after the return of David Warner and Steve Smith. Their only concern will be the poor form of skipper Aaron Finch.

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Key Players

For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah will be the key batsman. He is very good at rotating the strikes and keep the scoreboard ticking. He bats at No: 3 for them.

In their bowling department, the focus will be on Rashid Khan. It will be interesting to see whether Rashid can excel in the English conditions.

For Australia, David Warner and Steve Smith will be in the spotlight as they make their return after one year ban. Their return has definitely boosted the morale of the squad.

Mitchell Starc will be their key bowler. He was the Player of the tournament in 2015 World Cup with 22 wickets. He would be expected to replicate similar performance and take his team forward in the tournament.

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Probable XI

Afghanistan

Rashid Khan

Samiullah Shinwari is likely to be benched. In the bowling department, either Aftab Alam or Hamid Hassan is likely to miss out.

Probable XI: Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Gulbadin Naib (C), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam/Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Australia

Adam Zampa

Australia will slot either Usman Khawaja or Shaun Marsh at No: 4. Recent performances give Khawaja an edge over Shaun Marsh.

In bowling, Kane Richardson is expected to be slotted ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff, while Adam Zampa will be the only spinner.

Probable XI: Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Usman Khawaja / Shaun Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa.

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Squads

Afghanistan: Gulbadin Naib (C), Mohammad Shahzad (WK), Noor Ali Zadran, Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Afghan, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Samiullah Shinwari, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Aftab Alam, Hamid Hassan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Australia: Aaron Finch (C), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (WK), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Kane Richardson, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa.