Watch: Azmatullah Omazai tore through Australia’s top-order at the Wankhede today (November 7), taking two wickets in as many balls before opting for a comically bad review looking for a hat-trick.
Afghanistan are aiming to reach the historic semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup and a win against Australia would be a huge step towards getting there. After choosing to bat first, they led Australia to 292 points and won. If this is successful, it will be a record for an ODI chase at Wankhede.
Australia lost two wickets early in the chase after Travis Head was caught behind by Naveen-ul-Haq’s hoop ball and Mitchell Marsh was again caught left-handed by Naveen. Azmatullah scored 14 runs in his first over and delivered his maiden bowl to David Warner in the second. He faced Warner again as he lined up to bowl the first ball of his third over.
Azmatullah rolled around the wicket and flicked the ball to Warner, who took a big swing and sent the ball into the leg side. But he missed completely and the ball hit the stumps.
Josh Inlis then came to the crease and found Azmatullah and hit a short ball well outside the left-hander’s off-stump. Inglis threw his bat at the ball, which caught the outside edge and comfortably passed Ibrahim Zadran at first slip. Glenn Maxwell completed his hat-trick as he made his way to the goal area.
To continue the great drama, Maxwell was cornered on the first ball and Afghanistan went for a cry for LBW. Replays showed the ball missed the pads completely and fell off Maxwell’s outside edge. The ball clearly missed the goalkeeper.
Watch: Azmatullah Ormazai takes two wickets in two balls
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