Australia is depending on Sri Lanka following their narrow victory

Glenn Maxwell did his best to keep Australia’s hopes of making the semi-finals alive with a confident, unbeaten half-century, but the chances of the hosts making the knockout rounds are now out of their control following a superb performance from Afghanistan, who gave them a serious scare at Adelaide Oval, chiefly through Rashid Khan.

Defending champs Before England plays Sri Lanka in their last group game on Saturday, Australia needed to limit their opposition to 106 runs or fewer to surpass England’s net run rate.

As a result of the Black Caps’ 89-run victory in their opening game, Australia’s title defense has been severely damaged. The Black Caps have already secured a spot in the semifinals (Australia needed to defeat Afghanistan by 185 runs to surpass their NRR). Australia will now advance only if Sri Lanka defeats England; if England triumphs, they will join New Zealand in the next round.

While chasing 169, Gulbadin Naib and Ibrahim Zadran put up a third-wicket partnership of 59 runs. However, Australia regained the initiative with a run of four wickets in nine deliveries, two of which fell to Adam Zampa in his last over. Rashid scored an undefeated 48 off 23 balls at the end of the game, terrifying the home crowd while cheering his own supporters at the place he refers to as his “second home,” but Australia was able to hold on and win by four runs.