Summary

  • Group B: Afghanistan v Australia, Lahore

  • Match abandoned after heavy rain

  • Australia reached 109-1 off 12.5 overs in pursuit of 274 before rain stopped play

  • Afghanistan 273: Sediqullah 85 (95), Azmatullah 67 (63); Dwarshuis 3-47

  • Australia advance to semi-finals

  • Afghanistan likely out - need England to thrash South Africa on Saturday to stand chance of progressing

Live Reporting

by Ffion Wynne & Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. Michael Carberry
    Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On the rain delay...

    A real shame because it was gearing up to be a good game.

    Australia went off like a train. Travis Head flaying the ball to all parts of the field. Afghanistan not being their best in the field, but they slowly got the wicket of Matt Short.

    It's a game on a knife-edge.

  2. Ooooooh there's movement in Lahore as the groundstaff begin peeling off the covers.

    The outfield, however, remains very moist indeed. There'll be a long clean-up operation before any play is possible.

  3. 'Start with the next generation'

    Michael Carberry
    Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    You have got to start with the next generation.

    If you're going to take the lads away with the Lions, you need to play more 50-over cricket. For the more seasoned professionals, where do you find those windows?

    Somehow, we have got to put our foot down as an ECB.

    The key is getting England players to play more 50-over cricket and get their experience and skills up.

  4. It's (still) raining - Aus 109-1

    Target 274

    The covers protect the pitch as rain delaysGetty Images

    The players are still off the field and it's absolutely hammered it down in Lahore (by contrast, it's gloriously sunny in Salford).

    Afghanistan will be desperate to get back on with a spot in the semi-finals on the line. They currently sit third in Group B with two points.

    Australia, meanwhile, are second, level with South Africa on three points.

  5. Ryan Campbell
    Former Australia wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Whoever loses the Ashes, their cricket sucks, but then you rebuild it.

    Is your domestic game good? From what I see, yes.

    Can you play 50-over cricket? That's debatable.

    The facts are, the quality is there. Brendon McCullum is a smart man, who is sitting there with an end goal.

    You have a captain [Ben Stokes] of the Test team who is a genius player.

    Every decision they've made is to try to beat Australia in Australia. There is a clear plan there.

    The white-ball team is an interesting thing. 50-over and T20 are a whole different beast.

  6. 'A performance based business'

    Michael Carberry
    Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    To lose games of cricket hurts.

    We're in a performance based business. I would never say that the players when they go on a team bus after a loss don't care.

    I don't think some of the things which have come out or the way it has come across have helped the perception.

    There's a fine line of taking pressure off and it becoming an excuse culture. That's where I think supporters are at with the England's cricket team.

  7. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket reporter on BBC 5 Sports Extra

    Never once have I encountered a player and thought he or she is not desperate to do well for their country.

    I don't think I could ever question their professionalism, effort or desire to do well.

  8. Unsurprisingly, WinViz has Australia well ahead following their lively start.

    However, with Lahore's outfield currently resembling a paddling pool and only 12.5 overs played, a wash out could come in to play. Remember, you need 20 overs in the second innings to constitute a match.

    WinViz gives Australia 78% chance of winning, Afghanistan 22%CricViz

  9. Get Involved

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

    Let's start taking this format seriously, please, as we have only really treated limited overs cricket, especially 50 overs, as a starter with T20 dessert and Tests as the main course.

    Darren in Nottingham

  10. Ryan Campbell
    Former Australia wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On England's white-ball team...

    Every sporting team is employed to win games. Brendon McCullum has done an unbelievable job creating a positive environment.

    I think players said a few things and got caught up in Bazball. I don't think that's what McCullum was trying to do.

  11. Ryan Campbell
    Former Australia wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On Jos Buttler stepping down as England captain...

    Not surprised, to be honest. I honestly thought he was going to take a bit more time to decide.

  12. Michael Carberry
    Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On England's white-ball team...

    As an Englishman, I want my country to do well and be on top of world cricket.

    I want to see them play with passion, take the game forward, and dominate world cricket.

    You want England to be that powerhouse, but having been inside the walls of it - that's the process of a team having to adapt.

  13. Here's a remainder of the only wicket to fall in Australia's innings so far.

    After two dropped catches, Gulbadin Naib showed his teammates how it's done.

  14. Get Involved

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

    Phew. Take a breath.

    Australia have made a furious start to their chase and are romping towards to the semi-finals. Off the field, Jos Buttler has stepped down as England captain.

    While the rain buckets down in Lahore, do feel free to get in touch and share your thoughts.

  15. 'At times you have to adapt'

    Michael Carberry
    Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    As a former player you know how the game should be played.

    I'm all for entertaining cricket, but I also realise at times you have to adapt.

    I have not seen that across all the England teams recently - this blanket approach of all out aggression.

  16. 'A matter of time'

    Michael Carberry
    Former England batter on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On Jos Buttler stepping down as captain...

    Not hugely surprised, after the murmurs coming out of the camp after the Afghan loss.

    You got a sense it was a matter of time - delaying the inevitable.

    Questions have to be asked when you've not had the greatest stretch as captain.

    We have crashed out of two world tournaments and you have to accept those changes.

    It is a result based business. You're there to win games.

  17. rain stops play

    Rain stops play - Aus 109-1

    Target 274

    The scoreboard display as rain stops playGetty Images

    The rain has indeed arrived and the players are going off.

    Australia are 109-1 after 12.5 overs and need 165 runs to book their spot alongside India and New Zealand in the semi-finals.

    Provided they get back on, this pause could have come at a good time for Afghanistan.

  18. Aus 109-1

    Target 274

    The groundstaff are getting the covers ready. Has the rain finally arrived in Lahore?

  19. Aus 100-1

    Target 274

    Australia cruise to 100 inside 12 overs.

    Mohammad Nabi is doing his best to halt their chase, conceding just three runs, but Afghanistan need a wicket.

  20. 'Brook's definitely the number one contender'

    Ryan Campbell
    Former Australia wicketkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On Harry Brook possibly taking the captaincy...

    My only worry with Harry is he plays all formats and he plays a lot. He doesn't rest too often. If you throw him the captaincy is he going to thrive?

    He loves the job and did it well at the Northern Superchargers.

    Obviously, he did it in that five-match series - he's definitely the number one contender.