12:05 am: That’s all from us for now. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Join us tomorrow for South Africa vs Bangladesh. Until then, it’s goodbye!

Australian captain Aaron Finch:

“There’s always a bit of nerves. The guys have been building up for this since a month now. Good to get a win and to get the on-field nerves away. Wickets in the powerplay are key for any side. Got a couple early and then they played well actually. A run out and a couple of wickets helped. Personally, it felt good to get some runs.”

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib:

“Australia are a champion side and you can’t make mistakes against them. We didn’t have a good start with our openers. Hamid Hassan’s bowling is a good sign for the team. Credit goes to Rashid and Mujeeb for their bowling on such a pitch.”

11:45 pm: Player of the match David Warner:

“Great win and we hope to keep the ball rolling. I think there were some nerves getting to the training and then coming out today. Got relaxed once Finchy started to get going. The way I started out today, I had to take time to move my feet and get my head into position, considering that I had only played T20 cricket over the last one year.”

Glenn Maxwell comes out and blasts the first ball for four over covers to end the match. A comprehensive win for the defending champions to begin their World Cup 2019 campaign.

AUSTRALIA WIN BY SEVEN WICKETS!

Australia: 205/3 after 34.4 overs – David Warner 89 (114)

WICKET! Success out of nowhere for Afghanistan! Smith cuts it straight to point. That was uncharacteristic from the right-hander.

Smith c Zazai b Mujeeb 18 (27)

Australia: 204/2 after 34 overs – David Warner 88 (112), Steve Smith 11 (16)

This has been a slow death for Afghanistan. Five runs taken from Rashid Khan’s eight over. Australia need 4 runs to win from 96 balls.

Australia: 199/2 after 33 overs – David Warner 84 (107), Steve Smith 17 (24)

A couple of twos and four singles from Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s fourth over. Australia need 9 runs to win from 102 balls.

Australia: 191/2 after 32 overs – David Warner 80 (104), Steve Smith 13 (21)

Three singles come from Dawlat Zadran’s fifth over. It’s just a formality now. David Warner and Steve Smith don’t look like they’re going to take any unnecessary risk and throw their wicket away.

Australia: 188/2 after 31 overs – David Warner 79 (103), Steve Smith 11 (16)

Four! Smart batting from Steve Smith. Off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman bowls it fast and wide, Smith opens his bat and gets a thick outside edge for four. Eight runs come from that over, Australia need just 20 more.

Australia: 180/2 after 30 overs – David Warner 76 (100), Steve Smith 6 (13)

Smith survives! Warner taps it to the leg side and sets off for two. Smith hesitates in the second run and gives up while running, but luckily for him the throw misses the stumps. The bowler, Dawlat Zadran, should’ve been there to collect the ball at the non-striker’s end. Warner then plays a superb check-drive straight over for four.

Australia: 171/2 after 29 overs – David Warner 67 (94), Steve Smith 6 (13)

David Warner and Steve Smith are in no rush at the moment. They pick up five singles from Rashid Khan’s seventh over. This is smart cricket from the Aussies. Helps to think about net run-rate and not lose more wickets.

Australia: 166/2 after 28 overs – David Warner 64 (90), Steve Smith 4 (11)

Another good over from Hamid Hassan, just two runs come from it. The right-arm quick is still bowling at 140 kmph. He has been Afghanistan’s stand-out bowler today even though he hasn’t got a wicket to show for his efforts.

Australia: 164/2 after 27 overs – David Warner 64 (89), Steve Smith 3 (6)

Rashid Khan takes DRS after David Warner attempts a reverse-sweep and misses the ball. But the reviews show the ball had hit the glove. The leg-spinner has figures of 1/42 from 6 overs at the moment.

Australia: 160/2 after 26 overs – David Warner 62 (87), Steve Smith 1 (2)

A tidy over from Hamid Hassan, just four runs from it. The right-arm pacer has figures of 0/14 from 5 overs at the moment.

Australia: 156/2 after 25 overs – David Warner 60 (83)

WICKET! Rashid Khan finally gets a wicket. The leg-spinner comes from around the wicket and bowls a googly. Khawaja attempts a forward defense but is beaten. No DRS taken by the Aussies as that looked plumb. This means David Warner and Steve Smith are at the crease for Australia. The boos get louder!

Usman Khawaja lbw Rashid Khan 15 (20)

Australia: 150/1 after 24 overs – David Warner 55 (80), Usman Khawaja 14 (17)

Some grip and turn for Mohammad Nabi but it’s too little too late. The Australian batsmen are playing risk-free cricket. Just two singles come from the off-spinner’s sixth over.

Australia: 148/1 after 23 overs – David Warner 54 (75), Usman Khawaja 13 (16)

FIFTY FOR WARNER!

And that’s the fifty-run partnership between him and Khawaja as well. The crowd boos but it doesn’t matter, this has been a mature knock from the left-hander. He seems to have his eyes set on batting through today.

Australia: 142/1 after 22 overs – David Warner 49 (73), Usman Khawaja 12 (12)

Four byes again! This is poor stuff from Mohammad Shahad. The ‘keeper is struggling to move behind the stumps. Khawaja then gets his first boundary with a short-arm pull. Another good over for the Aussies, 12 runs from it.

Australia: 130/1 after 21 overs – David Warner 48 (71), Usman Khawaja 6 (8)

Shot! That was classic Warner. A little bit of width and the left-hander cuts it ferociously for four. Gulbadin Naib then bowls a no-ball but Warner can’t make the most of it. That was an expensive over from the Afghanistan captain, though, 13 runs come from it.

Australia: 117/1 after 20 overs – David Warner 40 (66), Usman Khawaja 4 (6)

Nabi fires it wide and Shahzad can’t move across it time to stop the four-byes. Afghanistan can’t afford to leak runs in such a manner. It’s is all too comfortable for the Aussies at the moment.

Australia: 109/1 after 19 overs – David Warner 39 (63), Usman Khawaja 1 (3)

Four! Warner pulls it hard and a misfield on the boundary line gives him four runs. Six runs come from Gulbadin’s fourth over. Khawaja hasn’t got much strike since he’s come in to bat.

Australia: 103/1 after 18 overs – David Warner 34 (58), Usman Khawaja 0 (2)

Four! Rashid Khan bowls it slightly short and David Warner cuts it past short-third for a boundary. And that brings up 100 runs for the Australians. This has been a clinical performance from them so far.

Australia: 98/1 after 17 overs – David Warner 29 (54), Usman Khawaja 0 (0)

A successful over from Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib, just four runs and the big wicket of Aaron Finch from it. Usman Khawaja is the new man at the crease for Australia. The Australians are still in complete control of this chase.

Australia: 96/1 after 16.2 overs – David Warner 28 (50)

WICKET! Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib gets rid of his Australian counterpart Aaron Finch. The ball was full and the right-hander drove it straight to deep covers. But this was a fine knock by Finch, he has set this game up for his team.

Aaron Finch c Mujeeb b Gulbadin 66 (49)

Australia: 94/0 after 16 overs – Aaron Finch 64 (47), David Warner 28 (50)

Rashid Khan fails to provide the breakthrough in his second over as well. Aaron Finch and David Warner are making the most of the lack of turn in the pitch. Easy singles on offer.

Australia: 87/0 after 15 overs – Aaron Finch 60 (44), David Warner 25 (47)

Aaron Finch and David Warner knock the ball around to pick up four singles off Mohammad Nabi’s third over. The Aussies are cruising at the moment.

Australia: 83/0 after 14 overs – Aaron Finch 58 (42), David Warner 23 (43)

FIFTY FOR AARON FINCH!

Rashid Khan finally comes on to have a bowl and Finch greets him with a four and then a six. The Aussie captain has struck the ball wonderfully today. 14 runs come from the star Afghan leg-spinners first over. The Aussies are making short work of this chase.

Australia: 69/0 after 13 overs – Aaron Finch 47 (39), David Warner 20 (40)

David Warner survives! What was Mohammad Shahzad doing there?! The Aussie opener attempts a cut, gets an inside edge, loses sight of where the ball is, and steps out for a single. The ball goes straight to ‘keeper Shahzad but he isn’t quick enough to dislodge the bails and Warner dives back in. Big chance missed.

Australia: 66/0 after 12 overs – Aaron Finch 45 (37), David Warner 19 (36)

SIX! Captain vs captain and Aaron Finch comes out on top. Gulbadin Naib bowls a short ball with no pace, Finch pulls it with immense power for a flat six over mid-wicket. Afghanistan need wickets to have a chance. One can’t help but think they missed a trick by holding their best bowler Rashid Khan back till now.

Australia: 58/0 after 11 overs – Aaron Finch 38 (34), David Warner 18 (33)

Another bowling change by Afghanistan as Mohammad Nabi joins the attack. The off-spinner concedes just three runs in his first over.

Australia: 55/0 after 10 overs – Aaron Finch 36 (29), David Warner 17 (32)

Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib brings himself into the attack and bowls a good over first up. The right-arm pacer gives away just a single to start off. That’s the end of the powerplay. The Aussie openers have done well so far but so have the Afghan bowlers. Without anything to show for it, of course.

Australia: 54/0 after 9 overs – Aaron Finch 36 (27), David Warner 16 (28)

SIX! Dawlat Zadran errs and bowls a short ball that isn’t short enough. Aaron Finch latches on to it and pulls it a long way. The Australian captain finishes the over with a superb on-the-rise cover-drive for four.

Australia: 44/0 after 8 overs – Aaron Finch 26 (21), David Warner 16 (28)

Another maiden over from Hamid Hassan, his second of the innings. The 32-year-old has found wonderful rhythm here, bowling fast and straight. David Warner realises that gives due respect with a straight bat.

Australia: 44/0 after 7 overs – Aaron Finch 26 (21), David Warner 16 (22)

A single, a wide and a two from that Dawlat Zadran over. The Afghan pacers have been impressive so far. They’ve bowled fast and kept a tight line. If their batsmen hadn’t perished in clusters and scored somewhere around 250, this could’ve been a really interesting contest.

Australia: 40/0 after 6 overs – Aaron Finch 24 (19), David Warner 15 (18)

Another outside edge for four off Hamid Hassan’s bowling. This time it’s David Warner who gets lucky. The right-arm quick then gets Aaron Finch to chop one on to his body. That looked like a painful blow. Really impressive start by the Afghan new-ball bowler. He has figures of 0/10 from 3 overs at the moment.

Australia: 35/0 after 5 overs – Aaron Finch 24 (16), David Warner 10 (15)

Dawlat Zadran joins the attack and bowls a no-ball first up. David Warner stays still and slaps the free-hit back for four. The right-arm pacer concedes six runs in his first over. The Australians are off to a solid start.

Australia: 29/0 after 4 overs – Aaron Finch 24 (15), David Warner 5 (9)

Hamid Hassan is bowling quite well here. The right-arm fast-bowler is hovering around the 90 mph mark. After starting off with a maiden, he gives away just a single and a boundary [off the outside edge] in his second over. Hassan is rushing the batsmen and was unlucky to concede a four off the last ball there.

Australia: 24/0 after 3 overs – Aaron Finch 20 (10), David Warner 4 (8)

SIX! Finch gets the first maximum of the Australian innings. Mujeeb fires it in and the Aussie captain drives it over the long-on fence. That seemed easy. The right-hander looks in good touch. Warner gets in on the act too, picks up three with a punch past covers. Finch ends a superb over for the Aussies with a four past fine-leg.

Australia: 10/0 after 2 overs – Aaron Finch 9 (5), David Warner 1 (7)

Hamid Hassan starts proceedings for Afghanistan from the other end. The right-arm pacer does well to bowl a maiden to David Warner first up. He comes from over the wicket and keeps a tight line, not allowing the explosive left-hander to free his arms.

Australia: 10/0 after 1 over – Aaron Finch 9 (5), David Warner 1 (1)

Bright start for Australian captain Aaron Finch! He drives one past covers and one straight over to pick up two boundaries. Afghanistan attacked by starting with an off-spinner, the Aussies counter-attacked and picked up a couple of fours.

9:33 pm: We’re ready for the second innings of the match at the County Ground in Cardiff. Australia need 208 runs to win. Should be a straight-forward chase. Aaron Finch and David Warner are opening the batting for them. Mujeeb Ur Rahman is opening the bowling for Afghanistan. Here we go!

9:15 pm: Afghanistan are bowled out for 207 after putting up a brave fight.

Here are the top performers of the first innings of the match:

Rahmat Shah: 43 off 60

Gulbadin Naib: 31 off 33

Najibullah Zadran: 51 off 49

Rashid Khan: 27 off 11

Pat Cummins: 3/40 off 8.2 overs

Marcus Stonis: 2/37 off 7 overs

Adam Zampa: 3/60 off 8 overs

Adam Zampa (3/60 off 8 overs): “Credit to Afghanistan for playing some fearless cricket. You have days like this when you get wicket but go for runs as well. I think the pitch is going to speed up. I guess we lacked intensity in the middle overs.”

Pat Cummins gets his third wicket and the last one of the Afghanistan innings as Mujeeb Ur Rahman is bowled for 13 off 9.

The Australians were on top for most of this first half of the match, but the Afghans have fought well to put up a respectable total.

AFGHANISTAN BOWLED OUT FOR 207 IN 38.2 OVERS

Afghanistan: 207/9 after 38 overs – Mujeeb Ur Rahman 13 (7), Hamid Hassan 1 (2)

Another successful over for Australia. Adam Zampa has been impressive for them today. The leg-spinner has figures of 3/60 from 8 overs at the moment. Hamid Hassan is the new man at the crease for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: 205/9 after 37.3 overs – Mujeeb Ur Rahman 12 (6)

WICKET! Adam Zampa gets his third as Rashid Khan is trapped in front. The right-hander had driven one for a six off the previous ball but missed the sweep after that.

Rashid Khan lbw Zampa 27 (11)

Afghanistan: 198/8 after 37 overs – Rashid Khan 21 (9), Mujeeb Ur Rahman 11 (5)

Six and a four! This time Mujeeb decides to have a go and succeeds. First a drive through mid-wicket and then a top-edge that flies all the way over the ‘keeper. Afghanistan have scored 32 runs on the last two overs.

Afghanistan: 187/8 after 36 overs – Rashid Khan 21 (8), Mujeeb Ur Rahman 0 (0)

Wide, 0, 6, 0, 4, 4, 6

Massive over, 21 runs from it.

Sensational stuff from Rashid Khan! The right-hander decides to counter-attack and does exceptionally well. Marcus Stoinis got two wickets in his last over but is taken to the cleaners in this one. The Afghans have simply refused to throw in the towel in this match.

Afghanistan: 166/8 after 35 overs – Rashid Khan 1 (2)

WICKET! Yet another short ball and yet another comfortable catch for wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Pat Cummins bangs it in and Dawlat Zadran goes for a pull, but the ball hits the glove and flies to the ‘keeper. Well-directed, cross-seam bouncer from the right-arm pacer. Australia are all over Afghanistan at the moment.

Dawlat Zadran c Carey b Cummins 4 (6)

Afghanistan: 162/7 after 33.5 overs – Rashid Khan 1 (1)

WICKET! Stoinis removes both the set batsmen! Another short ball, another mis-timed pull, another simple catch for ‘keeper Carey. Poor cricket from the Afghan batsmen, they were looking good to go well past 200. Dawlat Zadran is the new man at the crease.

Najibullah Zadran c Carey b Stonis 51 (49)

Afghanistan: 160/6 after 33.1 overs – Najibullah Zadran 50 (46)

WICKET! Stoinis bowls a short ball wide outside the off stump and Gulbadin Naib goes for a pull. The ball takes a top edge and ‘keeper Carey takes a simple catch. Good knock from the Afghan captain, though. He has brough his team to a respectable position. Rashid Khan is the new man at the crease.

Gulbadin Naib c Carey b Stoinis 31 (33)

Afghanistan: 160/5 after 33 overs – Gulbadin Naib 31 (32), Najibullah Zadran 50 (46)

FIFTY FOR NAJIBULLAH ZADRAN!

This has been a mighty impressive knock from the right-hander. He walked in with his side in deep trouble and has played a counter-attacking knock. He gets to his half-century with a lucky boundary as a Mitchell Starc bouncer hits the gloves and flies over the ‘keeper.

Afghanistan: 153/5 after 32 overs – Gulbadin Naib 31 (31), Najibullah Zadran 45 (41)

SIX! Afghanistan are more than giving a fight at the moment. Coulter-Nile pitches it in the arc and Naib slogs it over the long-on fence. 10 runs form that over. Afghanistan have added 46 runs in the last four overs.

Afghanistan: 143/5 after 31 overs – Gulbadin Naib 24 (29), Najibullah Zadran 42 (37)

A bit of a delay at the end of the drinks break due to some issue with the sight-screen.

Mitchell Starc returns to the attack and concedes two boundaries. Zadran flicks one to the fine-leg fence, before Naib bludgeons it down the ground for four. Nine runs from that over.

Afghanistan: 134/5 after 30 overs – Gulbadin Naib 20 (28), Najibullah Zadran 37 (32)

The Afghanistan batsmen are growing in confidence with that 22-run over. Zadran now goes after Coulter-Nile as well but doesn’t find the boundary. They still get five from the over.

50 partnership between Naib and Zadran

Afghanistan: 131/5 after 29 overs – Gulbadin Naib 18 (23), Najibullah Zadran 36 (30)

Big over, 22 from it.

Two sixes, two fours and Zadran is tearing Zampa a new one. Zadran continues to use the sweep to good effect but is equally adept off the back foot. The second six, which was at the last ball of the over, almost went outside the stadium.

Afghanistan: 107/5 after 28 overs – Gulbadin Naib 16 (24), Najibullah Zadran 15 (24)

Top effort from Nathan Coulter-Nile as he slips in maiden over. Afghan captain Gulbadin Naib swings his bat at a couple but fails to connect.

Afghanistan: 107/5 after 27 overs – Gulbadin Naib 16 (18), Najibullah Zadran 15 (24)

Zadran gets his third boundary! Zampa bowls a full toss and the left-hander drives it through covers and mid-off. Afghanistan have hit six boundaries in the last six overs. Five runs come from Zampa’s sixth over.

Afghanistan: 102/5 after 26 overs – Gulbadin Naib 11 (19), Najibullah Zadran 15 (17)

Shot! Nathan Coulter-Nile comes back into the attack and bowls a short one, Najibullah Zadran stays on his toes and cuts it hard for four. The left-hander is looking good at the moment. The pitch seems to have eased up as the sun is out. Just that boundary comes from Coulter-Nile’s fifth over.

Afghanistan: 98/5 after 25 overs – Gulbadin Naib 15 (17), Najibullah Zadran 7 (13)

Four! Audacious cricket from Zadran. The left-hander reverse-sweeps one for a boundary. Adam Zampa returns to the attack and gives away seven runs from his fifth over. We’re halfway through the Afghan innings and they’ve just about got to a hundred. They’re going to need a lot more to challenge mighty Aussies.

Afghanistan: 91/5 after 24 overs – Gulbadin Naib 14 (15), Najibullah Zadran 1 (9)

Fiery stuff from Pat Cummins. The right-arm fast-bower is operating around the 90 mph mark. He bangs one in and Najibullah Zadran fends it away with his gloves to pick up a single. Just that one run from the over.

Afghanistan: 90/5 after 23 overs – Gulbadin Naib 14 (14), Najibullah Zadran 0 (4)

Marcus Stoinis getting an extended spell and doing well at the moment. The right-arm medium-pacer concedes just four runs from his fifth over. Naib is looking busy at the crease, though, trying to look for runs.

Afghanistan: 86/5 after 22 overs – Gulbadin Naib 10 (8), Najibullah Zadran 0 (4)

Expensive over from Pat Cummins after returning to the attack, nine runs come from it. Naib does well to pull one through mid-wicket for a boundary. Good, positive batting from the Afghanistan captain.

Afghanistan: 77/5 after 21 overs – Gulbadin Naib 1 (2), Najibullah Zadran 0 (4)

Marcus Stoinis bowls a maiden over as Najibullah Zadran joins his captain at the crease. Afghanistan are under the pump and need another partnership to come back into the game.

Afghanistan: 77/5 after 20.2 overs – Gulbadin Naib 1 (2)

WICKET! Disaster for Afghanistan as Mohammad Nabi runs himself out. The right-hander drives it towards cover and sets off for a single. Steve Smith does brilliantly to dive to his left and release the ball quickly to the ‘keeper. Afghanistan are throwing it away after adding 51 runs for the third wicket.

Mohammad Nabi run out by Smith 7 (22)

Afghanistan: 77/4 after 20 overs – Mohammad Nabi 7 (20), Gulbadin Naib 1 (2)

A successful over for Australia as they keep chipping away at the wickets. Captain Gulbadin Naib is the new man at the crease for Afghanistan. Top over from Zampa, just two singles and the crucial wicket of Rahmat Shah from it. The leg-spinner has figures of 2/17 from 4 overs at the moment.

Afghanistan: 75/4 after 19.2 overs – Mohammad Nabi 6 (18)

WICKET! Zampa gets his second wicket and it’s the important one of Rahmat Shah. The ball was tossed up and the right-hander drove it straight to Steve Smith at catching covers. Disappointing end to a fine innings.

Rahmat Shah c Smith b Zampa 43 (60)

Afghanistan: 75/3 after 19 overs – Rahmat Shah 43 (58), Mohammad Nabi 6 (18)

Australia doing well to keep a check on the run-flow. Marcus Stoinis concedes just two singles from his third over.

Afghanistan: 73/3 after 18 overs – Rahmat Shah 42 (56), Mohammad Nabi 5 (14)

Another good over from Zampa, just three singles come from it. The leg-spinner seems to have found good rhythm.

Meanwhile in Cardiff, New Zealand have defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets to start their campaign with a bang. Read highlights from that match HERE

Afghanistan: 70/3 after 17 overs – Rahmat Shah 41 (52), Mohammad Nabi 3 (12)

Another boundary for Rahmat Shah! This time Mitchell Starc bowls it slightly wide and the right-hander punches it off the front foot past covers. Top shot that. Six runs come from Starc’s fifth over as he struggles to find his line and length.

Afghanistan: 64/3 after 16 overs – Rahmat Shah 36 (48), Mohammad Nabi 2 (10)

Four! Adam Zampa bowls a half-tracker and Rahmat Shah latches on to it. The right-hander pulls it over mid-wicket with ease to pick up a boundary. He has been impressive so far even as Afghanistan have lost three wickets. Six runs come from Adam Zampa’s second over.

Afghanistan: 58/3 after 15 overs – Rahmat Shah 31 (45), Mohammad Nabi 1 (7)

Mitchell Starc returns to the attack and bowls a top over. The left-arm pacer bowls five dot balls to Mohammad Nabi before conceding a leg-bye off the last delivery.

Afghanistan: 57/3 after 14 overs – Rahmat Shah 31 (45), Mohammad Nabi 1 (1)

Mohammad Nabi is the new man at the crease. Afghamistan have to rebuild all over again. A solid start for Adam Zampa, though. The leg-spinner doesn’t get much turn but bowls a good line to get the wicket.

Afghanistan: 56/3 after 13.5 overs – Rahmat Shah 31 (45)

WICKET! Adam Zampa strikes immediately! Shahidi steps down the crease and tries to defend it, but the leg-spinner bowls it wide and beats the bat comfortably. ‘Keeper Carey completes a comfortable stumping. Poor effort from the left-handed batsman. The partnership was looking good for Afghanistan.

Hashmatullah Shahidi st Carey b Zampa 18 (34)

Afghanistan: 51/2 after 13 overs – Rahmat Shah 27 (42), Hashmatullah Shahidi 17 (32)

Shahidi picks up two off the first ball with another good-looking cover-drive. But Coulter-Nile comes back well to bowl five dot balls. The right-arm pacer even manages to beat the bat a couple of times.

We’re going to see some spin bowling now as Aaron Finch brings Adam Zampa into the attack.

Afghanistan: 49/2 after 12 overs – Rahmat Shah 27 (42), Hashmatullah Shahidi 15 (26)

Four runs come from that Stoinis over as the right-arm medium-pacer bowls two wides. The Afghanistan batsmen are looking increasingly confident at the crease. This has been a good fightback from a team playing just its second World Cup.

Afghanistan: 45/2 after 11 overs – Rahmat Shah 26 (37), Hashmatullah Shahidi 14 (25)

Hashmatullah Shahidi gets a move on! The left-hander walks out and cuts one from Nathan Coulter-Nile to the fence. He follows that up with another boundary, albeit a streaky one. He goes hard for a pull but only manages a top edge which goes over the ‘keeper for four. Eight runs come from that over.

Afghanistan: 37/2 after 10 overs – Rahmat Shah 26 (37), Hashmatullah Shahidi 6 (19)

Four! A welcome boundary for Afghanistan as Rahmat Shah pulls one to the fence. Stoinis pitches it short but lacks pace, Rahmat latches on to it in a flash and gets four.

That’s the end of the powerplay. Australia came out all guns blazing and removed the openers, but Afghanistan have done well to steady the ship. The third wicket partnership has added 32 runs.

Afghanistan: 33/2 after 9 overs – Rahmat Shah 22 (31), Hashmatullah Shahidi 6 (19)

Good second over from Nathan Coulter-Nile, just a single from it. The Australian pacers have been disciplined so far, keeping it stump-to-stump and not allowing the Afghan batsmen to free their arms. Bowling change from Aaron Finch as Marcus Stoinis is coming on to have a bowl.

Afghanistan: 32/2 after 8 overs – Rahmat Shah 21 (27), Hashmatullah Shahidi 6 (17)

Just a wide and a single from that Cummins over. He has figures of 1/15 from 4 overs at the moment. Shahidi seems content blocking the ball and seeing off Cummins. Not a bad strategy. There’s plenty of movement for the quicks off the pitch.

Afghanistan: 30/2 after 7 overs – Rahmat Shah 20 (25), Hashmatullah Shahidi 6 (13)

Beautiful shot from Rahmat Shah! Nathan Coulter-Nile comes into the attack and darts one in to Rahmat’s pads. The right-hander maintains his balance and flicks it past mid-wicket for four. He has hogged most of the strike in the last over. Shahidi gets strike on the last couple of deliveries and defends them well.

Afghanistan: 23/2 after 6 overs – Rahmat Shah 15 (22), Hashmatullah Shahidi 6 (10)

Four! Cummins bowls a bumper and Rahmat pulls it over square-leg for four. A well-controlled shot from the right-hander, considering there was a wide-ish fine-leg in place. But Cummins is running in hard at the moment, the right-arm quick is hovering around the 90 mph mark.

Afghanistan: 19/2 after 5 overs – Rahmat Shah 11 (16), Hashmatullah Shahidi 6 (10)

Rahmat survives! Starc bangs one in and the right-hander tries to clip it off his hips. There’s a clear sound and the Aussies go up but the umpire doesn’t move. No DRS taken. Rahmat manages to flash his bat at the last ball and retain strike.

Afghanistan: 17/2 after 4 overs – Rahmat Shah 10 (12), Hashmatullah Shahidi 5 (8)

Another good over from Pat Cummins. Rahmat Shah manages to clip him for a couple off the first ball and get a boundary with an inside edge off the last, but the right-arm quick keeps a good line and keeps attacking. The wicket is green and the conditions overcast. This is going to be a tough afternoon for the Afghan batsmen.

Afghanistan: 11/2 after 3 overs

Shot! First boundary for Afghanistan and it comes from Shahidi’s bat. Starc pitches it full and wide, the left-hander leans in and drives it through covers. The Aussie pacer comes back and forces an outside edge but the ball falls short of the slip cordon. Starc is getting good movement in the air and off the pitch.

Afghanistan: 6/2 after 2 overs

Hashmatullah Shahidi has joined Rahmat Shah at the crease for Afghanistan. Pat Cummins follows up the good work done by Mitchell Starc in the first over and keeps things tight. The Afghans are going to have calm their nerves and get a grip on proceedings.

Afghanistan: 5/2 after 1.2 overs

WICKET! This turning into a nightmare for Afghanistan! This time Hazratullah Zazai throws his bat at a wide-ish delivery from Pat Cummins and gets a thick outside edge. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey takes a simple catch.

Hazratullah Zazai c Carey b Cummins 0 (2)

Afghanistan: 3/1 after 1 overs

Rahmat Shah is the new man at the crease for Afghanistan. The right-hander manages to pick up three through mid-wicket with a nice flick off the pads. But a tremendous start by Mitchell Starc and the Australians. They’ve gotten rid of the dangerous Mohammad Shahzad with no damage done.

Afghanistan: 0/1 after 0.3 overs

WICKET! What a start from Mitchell Starc! The left-arm pacer brings the first three balls back in to the right-handed Mohammad Shahzad, and the third delivery finds it’s way to the stumps. Shahzad played all over it. The defending champions have started with a bang!

Mohammad Shahzad b Mitchell Starc 0 (3)

6:00 pm: Right, we’re ready for the first ball in this fourth match of the 2019 ICC World Cup!

The umpires have taken their positions, so have the Australian fielders. Mohammad Shahzad and Hazratullah Zazai are opening the batting for Afghanistan, with the former taking strike first. Mitchell Starc, the player of the tournament in the last World Cup, has the new ball in hand for the Aussies. The conditions are a bit cloudy. Here we go!

5:56 pm: Both teams have taken the field. It’s time for the national anthems. First up, it’s Australia.

5:54 pm: The pitch at the County Ground in Bristol is green from end to end. Mel Jones and Wasim Akram reckon the bowlers are going to have a good time today. We aren’t far away from the first ball!

Afghanistan are competing in their second World Cup and come into the tournament with match-winners in their ranks. But their spinners, especially Rashid Khan, will have to do the heavy lifting if they are to cause an upset.

Read the Afghan team’s preview for the 2019 World Cup HERE

5:43 pm: Australia have had an uncharacteristic last couple of years. But away series victories against India and Pakistan in their last two ODI assignments, followed by the return of Steve Smith and David Warner, has brought the five-time world champions back in the fray.

Read the Australian team’s preview for the 2019 World Cup HERE

Afghan captain Gulbadin Naib at the toss:

“Looks a good wicket, flat as well and we have three spinners. We’re hoping to put a good score on the board. Yes, they are a champion side and we need to start well against them. Everyone knows about the spinners of Afghanistan, all of them are experience and skilled.”

Australian captain Aaron Finch at the toss:

“Looks a good wicket to put runs on the board. Not that hard on top and hopefully we can get some movement early on. Usman’s form over the last 14-15 games was too good to ignore. Really tough call but we had to make it. Lyon, Richardson and Behrendorff are the others missing out.”

Australia playing XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (w), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

Afghanistan playing XI: Mohammad Shahzad (w), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib (c), Rashid Khan, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Hamid Hassan.

5:34 pm: TOSS: Aaron Finch calls it wrong and Afghanistan elect to bat first!

The Australian captain says that he would’ve elected to bat first as well.

5:28 pm: We’re minutes away from the toss at the County Ground in Bristol.

Defending champions Australia got a major boost on Friday as David Warner was declared fit for today’s match.

Read HERE

5.25 pm: Hello all and welcome to the live blog of the fourth match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. The first three matches have been rather disappointing in terms of witnessing an even contest. Can Afghanistan buck that trend and match up to the defending champions Australia?

Steve Smith and David Warner will seek redemption on the biggest stage as they re-launch their one-day international careers for Australia against Afghanistan at the World Cup on Saturday.

The star batsmen were both banned for a year for their roles in a ball-tampering scandal but they have found form on their return to the international set-up. Australia will be wary of the young Afghanistan side that have been quick learners in international cricket.

The Asians have already scored ODI wins over the likes of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies in their brief history, while also holding India to a tie in the Asia Cup last year.

Afghanistan beat neighbours Pakistan in the warm-up match prior to the World Cup, thus making sure they demand a certain level of respect from their opponents.

Australia and Afghanistan have met each other just twice in ODI history with the world champions winning both the games.

(With AFP inputs)