The excitement is building as Australia gears up to take on Afghanistan in the 39th match of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. This day-night showdown is set to unfold at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 7, with the match scheduled to commence at 2 p.m.
This encounter marks the eighth match for both teams in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. As of now, Australia stands in the 3rd position in the tournament, having accumulated 10 points. In contrast, Afghanistan finds themselves in the 6th position with 8 points.
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Australia’s journey in the World Cup has been a rollercoaster ride. They kicked off the tournament with defeats to India and South Africa. However, they bounced back impressively, securing victories in their next five matches against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and England.
Afghanistan’s path in the World Cup has been equally eventful. They began with losses to Bangladesh and India but turned the tide in their favor by clinching wins against England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and another against Pakistan.
As the teams prepare to face each other, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to some thrilling performances from star players. The Australia squad is expected to feature David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith or Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, is set to unleash a formidable lineup including Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Naveen-ul-Haq or Noor Ahmad, along with Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Weather conditions for the match in Mumbai are expected to be warm, with intervals of clouds and sunshine. According to AccuWeather, there is a minimal 1% chance of rain during the daytime, and no precipitation is anticipated at night.
Temperature-wise, Mumbai will experience a range from 37 degrees to 27 degrees Celsius. Winds are expected to blow at speeds of approximately 7 km/hr in the south-south-east direction during the day and 6 km/h in the northeast direction during the night. Although the possibility of wind gusts with speeds of 26 km/h during the day and 24 km/h at night cannot be ruled out, the weather appears favorable for an intense cricket battle. Cloud cover is expected to be around 60% during the daytime and 38% at night in the city.
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For cricket enthusiasts in India, the Australia vs. Afghanistan match will be broadcast live on Star Sports channels. Additionally, Indian viewers can enjoy free live streaming of these matches on the Disney+Hotstar app and website. Notably, social media giant Meta has partnered with the ICC for comprehensive coverage of World Cup 2023 across Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Threads, ensuring that fans stay connected with the latest updates and highlights of the tournament.