ADELAIDE: New Zealand became the first team of the T20 World Cup 2022 to qualify for the semifinals spot after Afghanistan put the brakes on the Australian innings on 168/6.
Later in the evening, defending champions Australia survived a late Rashid Khan onslaught to eke out a narrow four-run win over Afghanistan and keep their slim semifinal hopes alive in the T20 World Cup. Australia moved to the second spot in Group 1 with seven points from five games, same as New Zealand, who became the first team to qualify for the semifinals on account of a better net run rate.
Glenn Maxwell was the top-scorer for Australia as he hit a quickfire fifty but Afghanistan pulled things back nicely in the final five overs to limit the defending champions to a decent total. Maxwell made an unbeaten 32-ball 54 that included six boundaries and two hits over the fence after Afghanistan invited Australia to bat.
In the match tommorrow, Sri Lanka and England will lock horns. The match will decide what team would be through along with Australia.