Australia slumped to a 21-run loss to Afghanistan for their first loss against them, getting bowled out for 127 in 19.2 over in chase of a 149-run target.

Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh reacts after been given out LBW as teammate David Warner watches during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket match between Australia and Bangladesh in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Thursday, June 20, 2024. Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Australia are willing to regard their loss to Afghanistan as a “one-off” incident and have promsied to be at their best in their must-win Suoer Eights clash against India.

Australia slumped to a 21-run loss to Afghanistan for their first loss against them, getting bowled out for 127 in 19.2 over in chase of a 149-run target.

It has left them with the need to beat India with a healthy run rate to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.

“It’s a big game, it will be against India obviously and it’s a must-win game. I think if you look back at the short history of this team, I know for a fact that it brings out the best in our guys. So, the boys will certainly be up and about for it,” Marsh said after their loss.

“Yeah, I think that’s really clear for us. It’s all about trusting ourselves. We’ve got a good bunch of people and I believe our best is up there with the best. So, we need to bring that in a couple of days’ time and move forward pretty quickly.”

Afghanistan had lost all their previous games against the Aussies, including four ODIs but Gulabdin Naib’s career best 4/20 skittled them out in the run chase.

“First things first, recover. We have a lot of belief in our group. We are a very good cricket team. Yes, tonight we had an off night but I guess there’s also a positive in the fact that in 36 hours we go again.”

Marsh said Afghanistan proved they are a dangerous side that had improved by leaps and bounds.

“I thought Afghanistan were really good and they outplayed us and they deserved to win that game,” the right-hander added.

“There’s a lot of things you can look at, the reality is there’re small margins here. When the scores are low, we had an off-one in the field. But yeah, got to give credit where credit is due and Afghanistan was pretty good.”

“Obviously, they’re a good side. And they’re not an Associate nation, they’re a very good cricket team who play against the best all the time and they have improved a hell of a lot over the last few years.

“We know certainly in these conditions that they are a big danger team. Like I said before, they outplayed us tonight and credit to them.”