The Latest: India starts quest for big total vs Afghanistan

By Associated Press 23 June 2019, 12:00AM

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on Day 24 of the Cricket World Cup (all times local):

10:35 a.m.

The 28th match of the Cricket World Cup has started with India looking to keep its unbeaten record at the tournament, and pile up a big total against Afghanistan.

With Bhuvneshwar Kumar injured, second seamer Mohammed Shami pairs up with Jasprit Bumrah for India for the first time in the ODI format. India all-rounder Vijay Shankar retained his spot ahead of attacking wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who was flown in as a replacement for the injured Shikhar Dhawan. KL Rahul now is firmly in place as the opening partner for Rohit Sharma.

"Whether we are playing a very strong team, or one that is coming up the ranks, our mindset is the same," India skipper Virat Kohli said at the toss. "We cannot take Afghanistan lightly; they are a dangerous side when in the groove."

Afghanistan brought in Hazratullah Zazai and Aftab Alam to replace Noor Ali Zadran and Dawlat Zadran. With like-for-like replacement in batting and bowling, respectively, it means Afghanistan still retain their three-pronged spin attack from its previous game. Skipper Gulbadin Naib will contribute with medium pace, and is also slated to open the batting again.

Naib said he had hoped to bat first but now Afghanistan face a potentially tough time in the field.

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10:15 a.m.

India captain Virat Kohli has won the toss and elected to bat first against Afghanistan in the Cricket World Cup group game at Hampshire's Rose Bowl.

Kohli says it looks "like a really good wicket," and so does the weather for the game.

India made one change from its 89-run win over archrival Pakistan last Sunday, bringing in bowler Mohammed Shami for the injured Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Afghanistan made two changes from its 15-run defeat to England where it batted for all 50 overs for the first time this tournament, bringing in Hazratullah Zazai and Aftab Alam.

Lineups:

India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (captain), Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.

Afghanistan: Hazratullah Zazai, Gulbadin Naib (captain), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ikram Ali Khil, Asghar Afghan, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Aftab Alam, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

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9 a.m.

India and New Zealand are the only teams still unbeaten in the Cricket World Cup and both are in action Saturday as the tournament moves into its 24th day.

India takes on Afghanistan at the Rose Bowl in Southampton in the opening game, and New Zealand plays West Indies in a day-night match at Manchester's Old Trafford.

Two-time champion India and 2015 finalist New Zealand have won all their games except for a washout between the two teams.

India and Afghanistan have never met at the World Cup. India is the heavy favorite, having won 14 of its last 15 CWC matches. Afghanistan has lost all five matches in this edition.

New Zealand and West Indies know each other well at the World Cup. New Zealand holds the upper hand with a 4-3 record, including wins in their last three meetings. West Indies won the tournament in 1975 and '79.

New Zealand can move above competition leader and defending champion Australia in the 10-team standings with a win. India can leapfrog third-place England and will still have a game in hand on its nearest rivals.

Rain is unlikely to disturb either match. The weather forecast is dry and sunny at Manchester with temperatures as high as 22 Celsius (71 Fahrenheit), with Southampton slightly cooler but still dry.

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More AP cricket: www.apnews.com/cricket and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By Associated Press 23 June 2019, 12:00AM

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