Former Australian captain Aaron Finch wants the ODIs should be reduced to 40 overs per side since the speed of 50-over is too slow and does not draw attention of the crowds. Despite the success of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, there has been a lot of debate around the future of ODIs. With ICC T20 World Cup coming this year, a lot of bilateral series worldwide, even involving big teams, are failing to draw attention of the fans all around the globe.
Finch said, "I think it goes to 40 overs, I would love to see that. In England, they used to have the pro-40 and that was a huge competition. I think the game has gone too long, in my opinion. The speed that the teams bowl their 50 overs is so slow, it's down around 11 or 12 overs/hour and that is not acceptable. People will argue that maybe it is a glorified T20 game but it is about the crowds," in a video by ESPNCricinfo.
But, Finch does not want this idea to be used during the matches of big teams. The former Aussie skipper thinks that this idea can help the likes of struggling West Indies side, who did not even qualify for the Cricket World Cup last year.
"I am not quite sold on that for every series. I think when you have got the big dogs all playing against each other, I still think the 50-over game's electric, and the ebbs and flows are wonderful but when they are so one-sided, when you have got the West Indies... who are trying to fight their way back into the World Cup, they are so off the track, I think 40 overs might suit that type of series, it might bring them closer together," he concluded.
If anyone has followed cricket casually over the last decade, they're likely familiar with four key names: former Indian captain Virat Kohli, batting genius Steve Smith, English great Joe Root, and New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer Kane Williamson.
They together are known as the 'Fab Four' in the modern era of cricket.
Each of them has set new benchmarks for performance, continually pushing one another to enhance their skills. These four batsmen have not only dominated the world of cricket but have also met the expectations of their respective nations.
In this article, we will examine the statistics of the Fab Four across all formats.
Fav Four in cricket: How many runs & centuries have they scored in International Cricket?
Virat Kohli has been the most prolific all-format batter among the fav-four. Kohli, till now in his 550 international games, has scored 27,599 runs with an outstanding average of 52.27. His record of 82 international centuries is only second to Sachin Tendulkar's 100 international centuries.
Joe Root comes in second among them with 20,724 runs so far for England across formats. However, undoubtedly, he has been the best test batter of his generation with 12972 test runs, which sets him as the highest test run scorer for England. Root has also scored 53 international hundreds, of which 36 came in tests only.
Kane Williamson, New Zealand's highest runscorer in international cricket, comes at number three in terms of international runs among the fav four. The former Kiwi leader has scored 19,086 runs so far in his career at an average of 48.56. Kane is now only two short of reaching 50 international hundreds.
Aussie great Steven Smith comes at four with 17,165 runs at an average of 47.81. A late bloomer with the bat, Smith has been outstanding for Australia in tests and ODIs. Along with Root, Smith has also been one of the greatest test batters of this generation.
Here is a comparison of international stats of the fav four.
Tri-Nation Series 2025: India vs South Africa Women's ODI Match Report | India storms into final with a phenomenal victory
India secured a spectacular victory against South Africa by 23 runs in the fifth match of Women's ODI Tri-series 2025 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. This made India reach 6 points to end at the top of points table and guarantee their place in the final.
India won by 23 runs in their second encounter with South Africa in Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025. With a spectacular century from Jemimah Rodrigues and two half centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, India posted a huge total of 337 runs, batting first.
They comfortably defended their total in the second innings, restricting South Africa to only 314 runs with a fall of 7 wickets. Amanjot Kaur played a key role in India's bowling attack by taking crucial wickets that helped in collapsing South Africa’s top-order.
India's batting supremacy in the first innings
Jemimah Rodrigues celebrates her second ODI century in the Tri-series match against SA-W. Image | ESPNcricinfo
India lost the toss and were put to bat first, which did not seem to bother them, as the batters completely owned the first inning. Their batting line-up dominated the entire inning till the very last ball. Even though Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol did not have any luck with the bat today, Smriti Mandhana, on the other hand, gave a steady start to the team.
The queen of consistency, Smriti, scored a much-needed 51 off 63 balls, accompanied by a stunning cameo from Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 28 runs from 20 balls. The real game changer was Jemimah Rodrigues and her spectacular knock of 123 from 101 balls which led the foundation for India towards a defendable total.
Then came another sensational knock from Deepti Sharma, who scored a classy 93 runs (from 84 balls) and played beautifully till the last over.
A series of powerful batting performances, with blazing boundaries and a solid start led India to this commendable total of 337 runs, which nearly seemed impossible after the fall of early wickets.
Deepti Sharma celebrating the dismissal of Chloe Tryon in the 49th over. Image | ESPNcricinfo
India made two changes ahead of the game, by handing debut to the left arm spinner, Shuchi Upadhyay, and bringing back Amanjot Kaur in the playing XI. The changes were in the favour of India, especially with Amanjot Kaur’s three-wicket haul.
Kaur picked up three crucial wickets by dismissing the opening pair with an economy less than 7. The early breakthrough was important as Lara Goodall and Tazmin Brits are the key batters and their partnership build-up could have been a trouble for India in the later stage. She also took the game-changer wicket of Annerie Dercksen in the 46th over, who was explosively taking the asking rate down with her batting.
Other players like Deepti Sharma picked 2 major wickets by bowling a tight line and length, and restricting the run-flow. Sree Charani and Pratika Rawal also took a wicket each.
South Africa’s chase in a must-win scenario
Annerie Dercksen during her knock of 81 runs from 80 balls. Image | Instagram
South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, did not play in today's match, and as a result, Chloe Tryon was handed the captaincy. SA failed to hold momentum in the game, despite great efforts from Annerie Dercksen, who scored 81 runs off 80 balls.
Even though they managed to take up 9 wickets in the first innings, the bowling unit was overall expensive today. Having a target of 338 runs on board required a good start in the second innings which completely fell short. The fall of early wickets led to top-order collapse, causing difficulties in building long-term partnerships.
The 72-runs partnership between Dercksen and Chloe Tryon, and the 67 runs (from 43 balls) knock from the skipper kept them alive in the game, but Indian bowlers sealed the victory towards the end.
India seals final spot after today's victory, South Africa’s journey ends
India secured their place in the Tri-Nation ODI series final with 3 wins out of 4 matches (6 points total). They will face Sri Lanka in the finals on 11th May, 2025, at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
As for South Africa, another loss today led them to zero points after 3 matches. They will face Sri Lanka in their last match of this series, and winning that will get them to a maximum of 2 points. Therefore, today's match result confirmed South Africa’s Tri-series exit.
Score Summary
IND-W: 337/9 (50) | Jemimah Rodrigues 123; N. de Klerk 9-54-2
Tri-Nation Series 2025: India vs Sri Lanka Women's ODI Match Report | Dominant India registers easy victory on Sri Lankan soil
India defeated Sri Lanka by 9 wickets in the rain-affected opening match of the Tri-Nation ODI series with stellar bowling and batting performances, including a half-century from Pratika Rawal and valuable knocks from Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol.
India started the Tri-Nation Women's ODI series with a winning note as they defeated the host Sri Lanka by 9 wickets. India chased down Sri Lanka's 148-run target with 56 balls remaining in the match after Indian spinners dominated the Sri Lankan batters in the first innings.
The match was initially interrupted by rain which resulted in the loss of overs, reducing to 39 overs a side. Indian announced their arrival with an impressively controlled victory at the R. Premadasa Stadium stadium, Colombo.
Indian spinners dominated the game from the start
The Sri Lankan team, batting first, struggled to build partnership and were bowled out for 147 in 38.1 overs. Indian bowlers dominated the entire first inning with Arundhati Reddy dismissing the Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu and getting an early wicket for the team. It followed by an exceptional bowling performance leading to a constant flow of wickets, which completely shattered Sri Lanka’s batting line-up.
Sneh Rana during her 3-wicket haul in the first match of Tri-Nation ODI Series IND-W vs SL-W. Image | Instagram
Sneh Rana was a star performer, who took 3 crucial wickets for India, with Deepti Sharma and Sree Charani taking 2 wickets each. Additionally, the on-field efforts of the Indian team was commendable in today's match.
During the second inning, India started off comfortably with the bat, without trying to rush things out. The opening pair, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, formed a partnership of 54 runs for the first wicket. Smriti Mandhana missed out on her 31st ODI half-century and was dismissed at 43 (off 46 balls).
Harleen Deol came to bat next and played composed cricket, scoring 48 runs from 71 balls. Sri Lanka failed to take more wickets, and Harleen Deol sealed the win for India with her exceptional half-century from 62 balls.
Both teams fielded 2 debutants
Sree Charani and Kashvee Gautam before their debut for India in the ODI Tri-series against Sri Lanka. Image | Instagram
Kashvee Gautam (22-year-old), who impressed the fans with her bowling for Gujarat Giants in the WPL 2025, along with the star of Delhi Capitals, Sree Charani (20-year-old), made their Internationaldebut for India in this match. Charani picked up 2 wickets with an economy of 3.25 in today's match.
Sri Lanka also handed debuts to Malki Madara and Piumi Badalge.
India's shield-like batting power
Pratika Rawal and Harleen Kaur during their partnership of 87 runs from 119 balls against Sri Lanka. Image | Instagram
The Indian batters showcased an amazing quality of batting in this format. Smriti Mandhana, along with Pratika Rawal, provided a good start in the initial overs. They kept the flow of runs going with their bat. Smriti departed at 43 (from 46 balls) while trying to loft the ball over the bowler (Inoka Ranaweera), and wasn't lucky enough to make it through.
Harleen Deol stepped in after the wicket and made no mistakes, adding 48 runs off 71 balls from her bat. Pratika Rawal scored 50 off 62 balls, putting the winning runs on the board for India.
It felt like Indian batters were quite difficult to get out and stood up like solid walls, without losing their wickets.
Steady headstart for India
India's win has lift up the team's spirit and confidence to another level. This was also a glimpse of the solid form and composure that the players hold in this Tri-series squad.
In today's match, each bowler had an economy below 5, and the batters were incredible in chasing down the total, without losing many wickets.
The challenge ahead for Sri Lanka
This defeat against India serves as a reminder for Sri Lanka to assess and improve their shortcomings. They failed to build partnership throughout the game, which led to a low total on the board. Hasini Perera's 30 from 46 balls was the highest score by a Sri Lankan batter in this match.
Immediate Reflections and Long-term Goals
This being the ODI World Cup year, the immediate reflections for both the teams would be to shape their strategies, set grounds and make effective adjustments with the stage of the Tri-Nation ODI series among India, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
Ranji Trophy was founded as the 'Cricket Championship of India' at a meeting of the Board of Control for Cricket in India in July 1934. The first Ranji Trophy fixtures took place in the 1934-35 season.
Mumbai are the most successful state in Ranji's history, winning 42 titles, including 15 consecutive trophies between 1958 and 1973. Here is the Ranji Trophy winners list since the inaugural season.
Mumbai - The most successful team in the Ranji Trophy
Mumbai with the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy. Image | PTI
Mumbai are the most successful first-class team in Indian domestic cricket across different competitions. They have won the Ranji Trophy title a total of 42 times and also won the inaugural season of this prestigious tournament.
Mumbai won seven out of the first 20 seasons and then between the 1950s and 1970s, they won 20 out of 22 titles in the Ranji Trophy. Mumbai's latest title came in the 2023-24 season.
Karanataka players after winning their second consecutive Ranji Trophy title in 2014-15 season. Image | PTI
After Mumbai, Karnataka have won the most Ranji Trophies (8) followed by Delhi (7), Baroda (5), and Madhya Pradesh (5). Karnataka have been part of the tournament since the inaugural season. They had to wait until the 1973-74 edition to lift their maiden title. Their latest win came in the 2014-15 edition.
Delhi won their maiden Ranji title in 1978-79 and their most recent win came in the 2007-08 edition while Baroda made their first-class debut in 1937 and won their maiden title in 1942-43.
Madhya Pradesh have also won five titles after their debut in the 1941 season. They won their first Ranji title in 1945-46, defeating Baroda in the finals.
Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Updates, Scores, News and free commentary: Australia qualify for semis after match gets abandoned
Stay updated with the Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 match as this match is set to decide who will qualify for the semis of the tournament from Group B.
Hello and welcome to another LIVE coverage of Champions Trophy 2025 on Sportz Point.
Today, we will cover probably the most important match of the group stage this season. This is Koushik Biswas and Payal Debnath with the Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 match from the web desk.
Last time when these two teams met, we saw one of the greatest ODI knocks from Glenn Maxwell in the ICC World Cup 2023. This is a must-win match for Afghanistan. If they lose, they will fail to qualify for the semis.
So, sit back and relax as we bring you the stats, LIVE updates, images and free commentary of the match for you. Enjoy the coverage.
LIVE Updates
Feb 28, 2025, 4:14 PM
Australia qualify for the semis
Match abandoned! A shame for the fans in Lahore, but the rain claims another fixture in this Champions Trophy. A point each means Australia are through to the semi-finals! They move to four points while Afghanistan, now on three, need to wait until tomorrow to see if they have snuck through.
Feb 28, 2025, 2:21 PM
Meantime news from the England camp
Feb 28, 2025, 2:03 PM
The rain halts the game
The rain halts the game. Australia are 109/1 after 12.5 overs.
Steve Smith comes to the crease and hits two back-to-back boundaries as they reach 50 in five overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 1:30 PM
Short goes for 20!
After another dropped catch, finally Afghanistan holds on to a catch.
Gulbadin Naib takes a good catch running back at mid-on and Azmatullah Omarzai gets the big wicket of Short!
Australia 44/1
Feb 28, 2025, 1:24 PM
Rashid Khan drops Head!
Massive point of the match. Rashid Khan at mid-on drops Travis Head on 6.
Head tried to go over the circle against Fazalhaq Farooqi and could not get the connection.
Feb 28, 2025, 1:22 PM
Terrific start for Australia | 30/0
Solid, fast start for Australia with the bat. Travis Head and Matthew Short have given Australia the start they were looking for.
Australia 30/0 after 3.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:35 PM
AFG 273 all out after 50 overs
Noor got a top edge on that and given out.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:34 PM
Australia takes review
swings and misses outside off, but steals a bye. Noor to face the final ball. He misses the pull, caught behind appeal, and another bye taken.
Australia takes the review to check whether there was any bat on it.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:32 PM
Azmatullah departs
Caught at deep cover and Azmatullah brilliant knock finally comes to an end.
Fazalhaq Farooqi the last man in.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:30 PM
One-bounce four
Thundered down the ground by Azmatullah for a one-bounce four. Smashed to deep midwicket and Azmatullah prefers not to run again.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:29 PM
Dwarshuis to bowl the final over
Dot ball to start with as Azmatullah doesn’t want to take the single.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:28 PM
AFG 268/8 after 49 overs
A couple of dot balls to follow - a slower one and then a yorker from Ellis.
SIX! Slow and shortish outside off, and Azmatullah throws his hands at it and clears wide long-off for another maximum.
A single to end the over and Azmatullah will keep strike.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:26 PM
Six from Azmatullah's bat
Ellis bowls out. Noor takes a single first ball. SIX! Azmatullah takes this from outside off-stump and launches the ball over deep midwicket for a colossal six.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:21 PM
Fifty up for Azmatullah
Fifty up for Azmatullah, off just 54 balls, and this has been an excellent knock so far.
A wide and a single to end the over, and six runs from the 48th.
AFG 254/8 after 48 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:18 PM
250 comes for AFG
Dwarshuis starts off with a wide outside off-stump. 250 up for Afghanistan with a single off the second ball of the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:16 PM
AFG 248/8 after 47 overs
Single first ball for Noor. SIX! Shot! An incredible hit down the ground by Azmatullah.
It was a length ball on middle stump and thumped for a straight six. That was 103 metres! Launched over extra cover next ball by Azmatullah, and the ball falls safely in the deep for a couple more.
A couple of slower deliveries in a row and Azmatullah can’t put them away, resulting in two crucial dot balls. A single at deep midwicket for Azmatullah to end the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:13 PM
AFG 238/8 after 46 overs
Noor Ahmad is the next man in.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:08 PM
Rashid Khan departs
Carved behind point by Rashid to the boundary first ball as Dwarshuis continues. And Rashid is gone next ball.
Short again, Rashid looked to heave this down the ground but he gets a top edge on it and Maxwell settles under this skier at long-on.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:06 PM
AFG 230/7 after 45 overs
Pulled away to deep midwicket by Azmatullah and brilliant stop in the deep by Maxwell to keep it down to a couple.
Short, Rashid steps out to flat-bat this on the off-side but the ball runs away to the third-man boundary off the toe end of the bat.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:03 PM
Ellis returns
A couple of dot balls to start the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:00 PM
Dwarshuis with the ball
Four runs off the first three balls. Misfield at point and a couple more for Rashid off the fourth ball of the over.
He looks to guide this angled delivery to third man with soft hands, but misses.
Beaten outside off again off the last ball.
AFG 223/7 after 44 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:58 AM
AFG 217/7 after 43 overs
A couple of twos for Rashid, who first steps out to clear the infield on the off-side and then sweeps one to deep square-leg.
Twelve runs from the over and Afghanistan won’t mind that.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:56 AM
Massive maximum for Azmatullah
Massive maximum for Azmatullah. He backs away outside leg-stump and slog sweeps this over midwicket for half a dozen.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:55 AM
AFG 205/7 after 42 overs
Ellis continues. Excellent stuff from Ellis, as just four singles come from the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:50 AM
200 comes for AFG
Zampa comes back. 200 up for Afghanistan in 40.3 overs as Azmatullah takes a single.
Rashid off the mark with a single through square-leg as he flicks the ball off the back foot.
AFG 201/7 after 41 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:46 AM
Gulbadin departs
Gulbadin is gone.
He was looking to clear the leg-side boundary, but ended up skying this very high in the air and Inglis does well to settle under it.
AFG 199/7 after 40 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:46 AM
Ellis continues
Short ball, pulled by Naib, and Short throws himself at midwicket to hold on to what would have been a stunning catch, but the ball just slips out of his grip.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:41 AM
AFG 197/6 after 39 overs
Azmatullah slashes hard outside off as Johnson angles the ball away, and the batter gets a thick outside edge to deep third for a single.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:40 AM
Johnson comes again
Over the wicket to Naib. FOUR! Short, good bouncer, but Naib gets a top edge on the pull and the ball runs away to the boundary behind the keeper.
That seems to have gone off the helmet, so given four leg-byes.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:36 AM
Loud appeal for caught behind
Ellis with the ball. Loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire doesn’t move.
Smith reviews and there is daylight between bat and ball as Azmatullah can’t connect.
Guided behind point by Azmatullah for a couple to end the over.
AFG 190/6 after 38 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:31 AM
AFG 186/6 after 37 overs
That was a short ball down leg-side, which the keeper couldn’t collect cleanly. He throws the ball at the stumps, however, and Johnson shows good presence of mind to back up and break the stumps.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:29 AM
Mohammad Nabi run out
Johnson again. Full outside off and driven through extra-cover by Azmatullah for a couple. OUT! Nabi is caught outside his crease the striker’s end and that’s an unfortunate dismissal.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:20 AM
Hashmatullah departs
Zampa is back. A lot of width outside off and cut away for a single by Azmatullah to deep cover. OUT! Hashmatullah is gone.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:18 AM
AFG 175/4 after 35 overs
Short into his seventh over. SIX! Azmatullah decides to get a move on.
He goes for the slog-sweep and clears midwicket with ease.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:16 AM
Johnson continues.
Just three singles and leg-bye from the over. Hashmatullah drags his score to 19 off 46 balls by the end of the over.
AFG 166/4 after 34 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:08 AM
Azmatullah Omarzai comes to bat
Azmatullah Omarzai is the next man in. He is off the mark with a single at deep fine.
AFG 161/4 after 32 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:03 AM
Atal departs
Johnson comes back replacing Zampa. The bowling change makes the difference as he takes Atal's wicket.
Driven straight to the cover fielder by Atal, and Smith holds on to a low catch.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:01 AM
Short replaces Ellis
Just three runs from the over.
Pressure building on Hashmat, while Atal nears a brilliant ton.
AFG 159/3 after 31 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:00 AM
Run out chance
Hashmat is sent back from halfway down the pitch by Atal after the captain chops the ball to mid-off.
There is some disagreement between the batters but the captain survives. A couple at deep cover for Hashmat to end the over.
AFG 156/3 after 30 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:57 AM
150 comes for AFG
Hammered over long-on by Atal for a maximum as Zampa continues.
That’s 150 up in 29.1 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:56 AM
Loud appeal for lbw
Ellis is convinced it is gone, but not given by the umpire and Smith won’t review either.
A single to end the over as Atal keeps strike.
AFG 145/3 after 29 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:54 AM
50 runs partnership for AFG
Ellis comes around the wicket. Banged in short and swatted away by Hashmatullah to deep point for a single.
A bit of width and driven square of the wicket by Atal for a boundary.
That’s 50 runs for the partnership off 64 balls.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:52 AM
Ellis continues
Two dots in a row for Hashmatullah and the pressure is building on the skipper now. 11 runs off 33 balls for him.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:51 AM
AFG 138/3 after 28 overs
A single for Hashmatulla at cover, where Short misfields but doesn’t allow a second.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:50 AM
Atal hit six
Zampa is greeted back into the attack with a maximum by Atal.
He steps out, doesn’t really middle it but the ball still just sails over the boundary at long-off.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:48 AM
Nathan Ellis comes back
Keeps hitting the deck hard, and just two singles from the over.
AFG 131/3 after 27 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:45 AM
Short continues
Just three singles from the over.
AFG 129/3 after 26 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:40 AM
Atal continues to find boundaries
Atal continues to find boundaries. Pulls the ball straight to midwicket for four.
10 runs came in that over.
AFG 126/3 after 25 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:33 AM
Atal gets to his half-century
Atal comes down the track and goes over long on. That’s fifty for him as well.
Shahidi too comes down the track and gets an inside edge past keeper for a lucky four.
AFG 113/3 after 23 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:30 AM
100 comes for Afghanistan
Feb 28, 2025, 10:25 AM
Matthew Short into the attack
Just a single came in that over.
AFG 94/3 after 20 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:21 AM
Hashmatullah Shahidi at the crease
Six runs off the over.
AFG 93/3 after 19 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:20 AM
Rahmat departs
Maxwell comes into the attack and takes Rahmat's wicket.
Outside edge straight to keeper. Sharp catch.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:18 AM
AFG 87/2 after 18 overs
A full toss by Zampa and Atal hits it over mid off for four.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:17 AM
Atal trying to hit boundary
Atal has been working the ball around the ground but the boundaries have dried up.
An interesting phase of play this after the introduction of spinners.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:10 AM
Spinners controlling the scoring rate
Spinners have once again controlled the scoring rate ever since they have come into the attack. Four runs in the last 12 balls.
AFG 75/2 after 16 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:06 AM
Maiden over from Maxwell
AFG 71/2 after 15 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:05 AM
Rahmat Shah comes at four
Rahmat Shah is off the mark with a single.
AFG 71/2 after 14 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:02 AM
Zadran departs
Adam Zampa takes Zadran's wicket.
Wide ball outside off, Zadran chases it but cuts it straight to backward point. He falls for 22.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:00 AM
Glenn Maxwell into the attack
Maxwell is getting the ball turn. Seven runs have come in the last 12 balls.
AFG 70/1 after 13 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:00 AM
AFG 68/1 after 12 overs
Just five runs from the over
Feb 28, 2025, 9:53 AM
Singles are coming regularly
Afghanistan’s scoring rate has been pretty good and the singles are coming regularly as well.
AFG 63/1 after 11 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:50 AM
Johnson continues
On the pads and Atal tucks it away towards fine leg for four.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:47 AM
End of powerplay
AFG 54/1 after first powerplay of the game.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:44 AM
Nathan Ellis into the attack
Change in bowling, Nathan Ellis into the attack. Starts with a down the leg wide. Lose delivery, half-tracker outside off and Zadran punishes it towards cover for four.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:43 AM
AFG 48/1 after 9 overs
Seven runs came in that over.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:41 AM
Another four from Atal's bat
Atal continues to look for boundaries. Four! On the pads and Atal tickles it away fine.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:38 AM
AFG 41/1 after 8 overs
Now Atal drives past point and gets two runs more.
Eight runs from the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:35 AM
Zadran gets his first boundary
Now Zadran gets his first boundary as he drives towards cover point, opening the face of the bat.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:33 AM
Three more runs
Another push to the cover region and Atal gets three more runs.
Nine runs from the over.
AFG 33/1 after 7 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:32 AM
Atal finally gets boundary
Atal connects the ball well and drives the ball through the cover for four! A very good looking shot.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:30 AM
Atal trying really hard to counter-attack
Atal has been trying really hard to counter-attack but the swing has made it difficult for him to score.
He gets an outside edge but falls just short of the first slip!
AFG 24/1 after 6 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:25 AM
AFG 23/1 after 5
It has been a bit tough for the batters but the extras have helped the Afghans get some runs on the board.
Despite plays and misses, they are now 23/1 after 5 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:16 AM
It is swinging MILES
Unpredictable from Spencer Johnson.
In his second over, he first nipped one back in which missed the stumps by inches and went for four byes.
Then, he sent one down the leg side for another four byes. The next ball he was right on the money and missed the edge of Sediq narrowly.
Afghanistan 18/1 after 3.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:06 AM
Gurbaz goes for duck | AFG 3/1
Spencer Johnson with an inswinging yorker gets Rahmanullah Gurbaz on duck.
It was a bit like Mitchell Starc and he was able to go under the bat of Gurbaz.
The ball had hit Gurbaz's toe and went on to hit the stumps.
Afghanistan 3/1
Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM
Australia Playing XI
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM
Afghanistan Playing XI
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM
Toss Update | Afghanistan wins the toss, elects to bat
Both captains are in the middle - Hashmatullah Shahidi and Steve Smith.
Afghanistan wins the toss and elects to bat.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:05 AM
Form Guide | Afghanistan
Afghanistan Recent Matches Overview
February 26, 2025 – 8th Match, Group B vs England: Afghanistan won by 8 runs
February 21, 2025 – 3rd Match, Group B vs South Africa: South Africa won by 107 runs
December 21, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)
December 19, 2024 – 2nd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 232 runs
December 17, 2024 – 1st ODI vs Zimbabwe: No result
Afghanistan has won 3 of its last 5 matches, including a crucial victory against England.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:03 AM
Form Guide | Australia
Australia Recent Matches Overview
February 25, 2025 – 7th Match, Group B vs South Africa: Match abandoned without a ball bowled
February 22, 2025 – 4th Match, Group B vs England: Australia won by 5 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
February 14, 2025 – 2nd ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 174 runs
February 12, 2025 – 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 49 runs
November 10, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Pakistan: Pakistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)
Australia has won only 1 of its last 5 matches, with losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:00 AM
Afghanistan vs Australia: Head-to-head stats
Afghanistan have never beaten Australia in ODI format. In the four matches they have played against each other in the format, Australia have won all of them.
Feb 28, 2025, 7:58 AM
How to watch the match?
Fans from India can watch the Afghanistan vs Australia match LIVE on Star Sports TV Channel and also on Jio Hotstar Channel with a paid subscription.