Watch: Azmatullah Omazai tore through Australia’s top-order at the Wankhede today (November 7), taking two wickets in as many balls before opting for a comically bad review looking for a hat-trick.
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Afghanistan are chasing what would be a historic semi-final qualification in the 2023 World Cup, and beating Australia would put them a long way towards getting there. Having opted to bat first, they set Australia 292 to win – which would be a record ODI chase at the Wankhede if successful.
Australia lost two wickets early on in their chase after Travis Head was caught behind off a hooping ball from Naveen Ul Haq, and Mitchell Marsh was trapped lbw, again by Naveen. 14 runs came off Azmatullah’s first over of the innings, before he bowled a maiden to David Warner in his second. He was once again faced with Warner when he lined up to bowl the first ball of his third.
Bowling around the wicket, Azmatullah angled the ball in at Warner who took a massive heave, aiming to slog the ball into the leg side. However, he missed completely and the ball crashed into his off stump.
Josh Inlis came to the crease next to face Azmatullah, who bowled a shorter ball well outside the left-hander’s off-stump. Inglis wafted his bat at the ball which took his outside edge and carried comfortably through Ibrahim Zadran at first slip. On a hat-trick, Glenn Maxwell walked out to the crease.
To continue the high drama, Maxwell was squared up by the first ball and Afghanistan appealed for the lbw shout. On replay, the ball was shown to have missed the pad completely and come off Maxwell’s outside edge. The ball fell well short of the keeper.
Watch: Azmatullah Ormazai takes two wickets in two balls
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