Summary

Live Reporting

by Jonty Colman & Sam Drury

  1. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    To any kids watching, this is how you run. Both of these players are showing incredible commitment at the moment.

  2. dropped catch

    Zadran dropped on 32

    Afg 81-0

    It's all happening!

    Marcus Stoinis can't hold on to a very tough return catch off Ibrahim Zadran and that leads to yet another close run out shout.

    It's a direct hit from the deep but Rahmanullah Gurbaz had just made his ground.

  3. Afg 78-0

    Short from Marcus Stoinis and Rahmanullah Gurbaz pulls it away for four.

    Afghanistan's openers are motoring now.

  4. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    Anything over 145 should be a good score on this pitch.

  5. Afg 74-0

    Nearly the breakthrough for Australia as Rahmanullah Gurbaz has to dive to make his ground coming back for two.

    He timed it to perfection and it saves him because the throw from Adam Zampa in the deep was right on the money.

    It's another risky two to end the over and this time it's Ibrahim Zadran in trouble. He was out by a mile with a direct hit.

  6. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    ZadranGetty Images

    That is magnificent batting, it was not a short delivery. Even the bowler is appreciating how good that shot was from Ibrahim Zadran. He is a very good batter.

  7. Afg 70-0

    Shot!

    Ibrahim Zadran backs away, giving himself room to hammer Ashton Agar over cover for four.

  8. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    I don't think Afghanistan had a set plan, they've come in and adjusted to conditions and batted accordingly.

  9. Afg 64-0

    Gurbaz 36, Zadran 22

    Super shot from Rahmanullah Gurbaz to take us to drinks.

    He gets down and slog-sweeps Glenn Maxwell, finding the gap, one bounce for four.

    Afghanistan can be pleased with their first half of the innings. They've got wickets in hand but will need to chose their moment to kick on carefully.

  10. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    ZampaGetty Images

    I love the change-ups from Adam Zampa, he'll bowl a slower one and then a quicker one. You can't let the batter get comfortable.

  11. Afg 56-0

    Rahmanullah Gurbaz nails a sweep shot off Adam Zampa but has to settle for two after a brilliant diving stop from Pat Cummins on the boundary.

    Very tidy over from Zampa, just four from it, but Afghanistan keep ticking over.

  12. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    Australia are already thinking they need to take wickets and restrict the scoring as much as possible, if you look at the way this pitch is behaving.

    Afghanistan are in a position now that if they lost a wicket, they can send in a pinch-hitter to score some quick runs and they have the room to do that.

  13. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I'm hoping this is closer than the past two matches.

    Jeremy, Pennsylvania

  14. Afg 52-0

    A single out to deep cover brings up the fifty partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran.

    They did nearly make it 50 and out after a breakdown in communication with Gurbaz turning to come back for a second that wasn't on.

    He goes back and Afghanistan are relieved to see the ball thrown to the wrong end by Pat Cummins.

  15. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    I think on this surface, Afghanistan are looking to not go for it in the first six overs, but save themselves for the final six overs. At times, you've got to play the conditions and they have done that brilliantly.

  16. More spin but it's Glenn Maxwell rather than Ashton Agar to bowl the eighth over.

  17. How's stat?!

    Australia might think about bringing Ashton Agar on. According to Cricviz's captaincy grid, he is Mitchell Marsh's best option against Afghanistan's top five. Pat Cummins was the worst option against the openers...

  18. Afg 48-0

    Good positive batting from the Afghanistan openers but nothing reckless against Adam Zampa.

    After the boundary, they deal in singles to take eight from the over.

  19. Abhishek Jhunjhunwala
    Former IPL batter on BBC Sounds

    What is really good to see is that these players are just playing cricket shots, they're not trying to be innovative or cheeky. That one was just a wonderful cricket shot.

  20. Afg 44-0

    Smashed back down the ground for four!

    Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes the attack to Adam Zampa straightaway.

    The Aussie leg-spinner won't mind that too much, though.