Afghanistan prepares to face Australia in the Champions Trophy with a shot at the semifinals on the line. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi downplayed focus solely on Glenn Maxwell, recognizing the entire Australian squad. Following their victory over England, Afghanistan requires significant help to secure their semifinal place, while Australia can qualify with a win or a no-result.
As Afghanistan prepares for its Champions Trophy group league fixture against Australia, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi addressed the media with confidence. He emphasized that their strategy extends beyond focusing solely on Glenn Maxwell. Shahidi acknowledged Maxwell’s impressive performance in the 2023 World Cup but reminded everyone that past events are history and that Afghanistan is ready to compete against the whole Australian team.
The two teams last met in a 50-over ICC event in Mumbai in 2023, where Glenn Maxwell’s remarkable unbeaten double century thwarted Afghanistan’s aspirations to advance to the knockout stage. Now, with a semifinal berth at stake, the match at the Gaddafi Stadium promises to be a vital encounter.
Afghanistan’s recent victory over England has intensified the competition for semifinal qualification in Group B, which now features three contending teams. Currently, Australia leads with three points and a superior Net Run Rate (NRR) of 0.475, while Afghanistan trails with an NRR of -0.99, and South Africa at the top with an NRR of 2.14.
Rain forecasts suggest that Australia will secure qualification either through a win or in the event of a washout. Conversely, Afghanistan must rely on England to defeat South Africa significantly should the match not take place. Building on their historic win against England, Afghan players will again lean on Ibrahim Zadran, whose record-breaking 177 runs played a crucial role, alongside Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round contribution.
Despite the absence of key players like Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, Australia has remained robust. Players such as Josh Inglis, who excelled against England, and seasoned athletes like Steve Smith and Maxwell are expected to lead the batting charge. Matches between Australia and Afghanistan have consistently provided excitement, and this encounter is anticipated to continue that trend.
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, Naveed Zadran.
Australia: Steven Smith (Captain), Matthew Short, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Tanveer Sangha.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 2:30 PM.
The upcoming match between Afghanistan and Australia is crucial for both teams, with the semifinals in sight for the victor. Afghanistan, buoyed by their recent win, aims to move past previous defeats, particularly Maxwell’s impact, while Australia looks to capitalize on their strong position in the group. With rain potentially affecting outcomes, the match promises to deliver suspense and excitement.
Original Source: sportstar.thehindu.com
