ABU DHABI // Australia were left on the brink of elimination at the Under 19 World Cup after they went down to a shock 36-run defeat to Afghanistan on Monday at the Nursery Oval 2.
Afghanistan, electing to bat first, were all out for 253, thanks to three half centuries from their top order batsmen Mohammed Mujtaba (75), Ihsanullah (63) and Hashmatullah Shaidi (57).
Then their pace bowlers Abdullah Adil (4 for 45) and Sharafuddin Ashraf (3 for 55) took seven wickets between them to skittle out Australia for 217 to leave Group B wide open.
Australia are now left with a win-or-go-home game on Wednesday against the group leaders Bangladesh, who defeated Namibia by 52 runs at the adjoining Nursery Oval 1.
After two matches in Group B, Bangladesh are top with four points from two wins and Afghanistan and Australia on two points each.
Afghanistan, who suffered a 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in their opener, bounced back in style and will be fancying their chances of a big win over minnows Namibia in their last game.
If they and Australia both win their last matches, three teams will be level and progesssion will be decided by net run rate.
Mujtaba and Ihsanullah rebuilt the Afghan innings with a solid 126-run partnership for the second wicket after Australia had struck early by removing Usman Ghani (2) in the very first over.
Shaidi came in at No 4 and stroked a third half century for his team who put up a challenging total despite losing eight wickets for 91 runs in their last 14 overs.
Sharafuddin Ashraf, the left arm spinner opening the bowling, then took two wickets in two overs to leave Australia in a bit of a spot at 36 for two.
James Bazley kept Australia’s chase alive with a spectacular 54 not out off 36 balls, highlighted by four sixes and an equal number of fours, but the Afghans kept their cool with some excellent bowling backed by ground fielding and catching to get their first points on the board.
apassela@thenational.ae
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