Afghanistan v Bangladesh: T20 World Cup 2024 – live

2nd over: Afghanistan 5-0 (Gurbaz 3, Ibrahim 1) A ripping over from Taskin Ahmed! The pacer digs it in a touch short and finds movement off the pitch. Taskin beats the bat a couple of times and lets out a frustrated scream. A slower ball gets through Ibrahim and bounces off keeper Litton Das’ pad to end a thrilling over.

1st over: Afghanistan 3-0 (Gurbaz 2, Ibrahim 1) Almost the perfect start for Bangladesh (and Australia)! Gurbaz plays tip-and-run off the first ball and only a desperate dive gets him home at the non striker’s end. The umpire sent it upstairs for a quick review but Gurbaz is quick and had his horizontal bat well across the crease as the bails were raised. Just as they did when setting up their 118-run stand against Australia two days ago, the opening pair are content biding their time through the opening over. A misfield releases some of the pressure and allows Ibrahim off strike.

Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran make their way to the crease after a 118-run stand that set up the stirring win over Australia.

Much of this match will ride on how the pair of in-form 22 year olds perform today, but it is Tanzim Hasan Sakib that has the ball in his hands and looking to have his own say for Bangladesh. Game on!

Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman.

Two changes for Bangladesh – fiery quick Taskin Ahmed returns with Soumya Sarkar also getting his shot.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

No need to mess with a winning formula, as Afghanistan back in the same XI that were so impressive in their historic victory over Australia two days ago.

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan has little hesitation in batting first at a ground that has seen all four matches at this tournament won by the side doing just that.

Najmul Hossain Shanto seems happy to lose the toss, saying that Bangladesh were planning to bowl first anyway. No shame in now saying that either way.

Australia now need a huge slice of good fortune to keep their T20 World Cup hopes alive after falling 24 runs short of India’s 205-5 in St Lucia earlier today.

India opener Rohit Sharma clobbered 92 from 41 balls to set up the win, though Travis Head (76) and captain Mitch Marsh (37) gave Australia some chance of reaching their target until they lost 54-5 and staggered to 181-7.

Read the full report:

Hello and welcome to the OBO live coverage of the crunch clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh at the 2024 T20 World Cup that will have major repercussions for Australia.

This is the last match of the Super Eight stage and the ICC could hardly have scripted it better. Both Afghanistan and Bangladesh are playing to join India in progressing from Group 1 to the semi-finals, while Australia will be watching on hoping the result falls their way to snatch the last spot even after back-to-back defeats.

The pathway to the knockout stage is clearest for Afghanistan after their historic victory over Australia. Another win for Rashid Khan’s side today – by any margin – would see Afghanistan book their ticket to take on South Africa in the knockout stages.

Australia’s 24-run defeat by India earlier today/overnight means their hopes are now out of their hands, but they could still progress with Bangladesh beating Afghanistan within a relatively large window of results.

Assuming a first innings total of 140 today, for Australia to qualify they would need Bangladesh batting first to win by fewer than 62 runs; or for Bangladesh batting second to chase down the same target in more than 12.4 overs.

The equation flips around for Bangladesh to claim the semi-final spot – bat first and win by 62 or more runs, bat second and reach a 141-run target in fewer than 12.4 overs.

India are already set to face England in the second semi-final in Providence on Thursday, while South Africa’s opponent for the semi-final in Tarouba on Wednesday will be decided within about four hours.

Play starts at Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent at 8:30pm, or 10:30am AEST and 1:30am BST.

The toss and team news is coming shortly – but now is an ideal time to email your thoughts or get in touch on X @martinpegan.