Afghanistan vs Australia: Champions Trophy 2025 Match Preview and Predictions
Australia will face Afghanistan in a critical Champions Trophy match, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals. Australia seeks to build on its current form under Steve Smith, while Afghanistan aims to leverage its spin attack. The match takes place at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, February 27, 2025, at 2:30 PM IST.
Australia, the reigning world champions, is set to face a determined Afghanistan team in a crucial Champions Trophy match on Friday. Both teams find themselves in a tightly contested situation, with Australia earning a point from a washed-out game against South Africa and Afghanistan clinching a narrow victory over England. The outcome of this match will secure a spot in the semi-finals for the winner, while the loser may depend on the result of South Africa’s subsequent game.
Australia will look to capitalize on its recent form under the leadership of Steve Smith, particularly after Josh Inglis made headlines with his first ODI century against England. However, they must tread carefully considering Afghanistan’s formidable spin attack, which could challenge their batting lineup in Lahore. The match will be held at Gaddafi Stadium, starting at 2:30 PM IST, with the toss scheduled for 2:00 PM IST. It will be broadcast on Star Sports and Sports 18 and available for streaming on JioHotstar.
The squads for the match are as follows. Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, and Naveed Zadran, with Darwish Rasooli and Bilal Sami as reserves. Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (Captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (Wicket-Keeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, and Tanveer Sangha.
The predicted playing XI for Australia includes Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (Captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (Wicket-Keeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson. For Afghanistan, the expected lineup is Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicket-Keeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Historically, Australia and Afghanistan have met four times in One Day Internationals, with Australia winning all encounters. According to weather predictions, the Lahore setting will be clear, with no anticipated rain and temperatures remaining in the 20s during the match. The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium typically favors batsmen, and dew may significantly influence conditions in the second innings, prompting teams to prefer chasing if they win the toss.
The upcoming Champions Trophy match between Australia and Afghanistan is pivotal for both teams, as they vie for a place in the semi-finals. Australia comes with a strong record against Afghanistan, but the latter’s spin attack presents a potential challenge. Favorable weather and pitch conditions are expected, which may impact strategies employed by both teams during the match.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
