A loss against Afghanistan has raised the stakes for Australia’s meeting against India in Group 1 of Super-8.
A loss against Afghanistan on Sunday meant Australia’s chances at making it to the T20 World Cup semifinals hang by a thread. Sitting in Group 1, the 2021 winners are currently second but have as many points after two matches as Afghanistan.
A defeat in the next game could lead to an early exit for a team that have been touted as one of the favorites to go all the way. Skipper Mitchell Marsh believes the task at hand is simple.
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“We just need to win,” Marsh said after the loss to Afghanistan, before adding, “there’s no better team to do it against.”
While Australia faced their first loss on Sunday, India remain unbeaten. Rohit Sharma and Co had made it to the knockouts on the back of three wins in the group stages that also featured a washout against Canada. In the Super-8, India have two wins from as many games, the latest having come on Saturday against Bangladesh – taking them to the top of Group 1.
The last time both India and Australia played each other at an ICC event was the ODI World Cup final in India where the Pat Cummins-led side produced a clinical performance to outshine India and clinch a sixth title for Australia.
Afghanistan associates no more
Marsh was all praise for Afghanistan, stating that they can are no longer an associate nation.
“Obviously, they’re a good side. And they’re not an Associate nation, they’re a very good cricket team who play against the best all the time and they have improved a hell of a lot over the last few years. They outplayed us tonight and credit to them,” he said.
The win in Kingstown was Afghanistan’s first-ever against Australia in any format of the game.
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First uploaded on: 23-06-2024 at 17:05 IST