Australia’s openers were unable to replicate their opponents’ heroics, with Travis Head ducking out after the third ball.
Mitch Marsh scored 12 and David Warner three to drop to 32 for three, but Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis rebuilt the innings.
Maxwell offered the only resistance from the Australians on 59 but after Naib dismissed both men the innings settled at 127 with Naveen-ul-Haq all out for three 20s.
In the final pool match, Australia will face India and Afghanistan will face Bangladesh, with India needing only a win to qualify for the last four, and net run rate could decide the outcome.
“They scored 20 more runs,” Marsh admitted, “to be honest with you, they played a really good game of cricket and we lost tonight… We weren’t in good form on the field but that’s on us.”