Australia Captain Fires India Warning After Afghanistan Humbling: 'Just Need to Win and There's No Better Team to Do it Against'

Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh said it was just an off day in the office after their 21-run loss to Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match at Arnos Vale Ground on Sunday.

Marsh defended his decision to bowl first, saying that the match was not decided by then, adding that needing to beat India in the last game of the Super 8 stage is what will spur them on.

“They probably got 20 too many. Lot of teams have bowled first in this tournament. Don’t think it was won or lost at the toss. We had an off night on the field.

“Wasn’t the easiest of wickets but both teams played on it. As I said, we got outplayed today. We just need to win and there’s no better team to do it against.”

With two teams from the group advancing to the semi-finals, Australia will now have to win their final match against unbeaten leaders India in St Lucia on Monday to be assured of a place in the last four.

Afghanistan, also on two points like Australia, will face Bangladesh later on Monday by which time they will know what is required to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time.

Riding on Gulbadin Naib’s four-wicket haul after Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran’s opening stand of 118 helped secure Afghanistan their first-ever win over the cricketing powerhouse Australia.

Gulbadin finished with four for 20 from his four overs of medium pace to turn the match as Australia suffered their first-ever defeat to the Afghans in a senior international encounter, being dismissed for 127 with four balls left in the match.

“It is a great moment for me, my nation, my people,” said an exultant Gulbadin on receiving the Man of the Match award. “I learned a lot about the pitch from when we batted and I am glad that (captain) Rashid (Khan) had faith in me.”

Earlier, Pat Cummins claimed his second hat-trick in as many matches as Afghanistan lost momentum after another century opening stand from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, settling for a total of 148 for six having been put in.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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