We Know How Good Afghanistan Are, We’ll Come Prepared: Labuschagne

For the second time in eight months, Australia find themselves in a do-or-die situation against Afghanistan in an ICC event. The last time they were in a similar spot, it did not end well for the Aussies, who suffered a 21-run defeat in St Vincent. That loss eventually meant that Australia exited the competition in the Super 8s, failing to make it to the semis. 

Afghanistan once again have their tails up, on the back of their victory against England, and will likely throw everything they’ve got at the Aussies in order to make it to the semis of a second ICC event running. 

Marnus Labuschagne knows that, and has asserted that the Kangaroos will come prepared for the Afghans.

“I'm not a pundit or someone that deems if they're the underdog or not,” Labuschagne said ahead of the clash.

“We're playing Afghanistan and we know how good they are and we know the skill level that they play with, but we're going to make sure we come really well prepared and put a really good performance together.”

Afghanistan might enter the contest as ‘underdogs’ but it’s certain to be a virtual ‘home game’ for them due to the outstanding crowd support they have in Pakistan. Labuschagne asserted that the Aussies would love nothing but to ‘silence the crowd’, and insisted that his side will be prepared to tackle anything that’s thrown at them.

“Obviously we’d love to win tomorrow and silence the crowd,” Labuschagne said. 

“But for us it's all about making sure we stick to our process, making sure we really engage in the game. What gets thrown at us doesn't matter - it’s important that we come out and perform at our best.”

Ahead of the all-important clash, Australia find themselves in a rather weird spot, as a washout would mean that the Kangaroos will seal their spot in the semi-final. With there being rain prediction in Lahore as well, there is incentive for Steve Smith & Co. to ‘hope’ for a washout, which will ensure a safe path to the semis. 

But Labuschagne insisted that Australia are keen to top the group, and so want nothing but a full game tomorrow at the Gaddafi Stadium.

“I think as players you always want to play,” Labuschagne said.

“Obviously if the whole match rains out I think that means that we go through to the semi-finals - but obviously we'd love to be able to win the game tomorrow and finish top in the pool. 

“I think that's something that we want to aim to do and make sure we've won all our matches leading up to the semi-finals. But those things are out of our control, so we will have to make sure we're ready to go tomorrow even if it is a shortened fixture.”

Australia can make it to the semis even if they lose to Afghanistan, but, in that scenario, they’ll need a lot of help from arch-rivals England in their clash against South Africa on March 1 (Saturday).