Live Score

Mitchell Marsh (Australia Captain): "They probably got 20 too many. And honestly, they played well today. We were outplayed today.

We definitely talked about batting first here before the game. We tried to get as much information of the surface. But still, I'm happy to bowl first here.

It was an off night for us in the field. We are an experienced group. We will be back next game.

We knew what we were going to expect tonight. it wasn't the easiest of the wicket to bat on. But Afghanistan bowled well tonight.

First and foremost, we need to win and there is no better team to do it against in world cricket. But, credit to Afghanistan for pulling it off tonight."

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan Captain): "I think this is a massive win for us as a nation. In the World Cup, we beat the champions (Australia). It is what we were dreaming of in the last three years. 

Yeah, I think it was important for us to play with the same XI. We made a few changes against India as we wanted to change according to the opposition. The same players who were performing for us in the group stages for us, they did the job for us.

I think 140 was a good total on this pitch. We didn't finish well. The opening partnership gave us a great start. This was the total we had in our minds. Anything over 130, we knew we have the skills to defend it. As long as we keep calm and keep believing.

That is the beauty of the team. We have too many all-rounders and it makes the job easier. Whenever you give him (Naveen-ul-Haq) the ball, he is happy to deliver. The way Gulbadin bowled today, whenever you give him the ball, he uses his experience and does the job for us. Nabi too started well and got us that early wicket. 

I am sure everyone back home must be proud of us and enjoyed this win. Big game next up and we have all the chances. Hopefully we can now win the next game and go through to the semis."

Hat-tricks in successive international fixtures:

Wasim Akram vs Sri Lanka in Tests in 1999

Pat Cummins vs Bangladesh and Afghanistan in T20Is in 2024 (World Cup)

Jimmy Matthews (Australia) grabbed 2 hat-tricks in the same Test match versus South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester, in 1912.

Phew!!! Take a moment and breathe! We just finished a memorable game in the history of cricket. Everything is possible in Group 1 now. Except for Bangladesh, all three teams—India, Australia, and Afghanistan—have at least one win. The Men in Blue are at the top with four points. Both Australia and Afghanistan have two points each and are in 2nd and 3rd place, respectively, on net run rates. Anyone can qualify to the semi-finals.

Two more crucial fixtures are due to arrive on Monday, which will decide the fate of this Super 8 Group. India will face Australia at St Lucia, while Afghanistan take on Bangladesh at Kingstown.

Two more banger matches coming up from Group 2 as well before the blockbusters of Group 1. Don't forget to tune in with us for these interesting contests. For now, this is me AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Akshay Bhide, who, alongside our scorer/analyst Bishal Mandal, brought you all the live-action of this mouth-watering fixture.

We will meet again. Until then, cheers!