Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat against Australia in a vital Champions Trophy match. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi aims to capitalize on their recent victory over England. The lineup includes key players like Rashid Khan, and Australia fielded an unchanged team. Both teams look to secure a win with semifinal implications at stake.
In Lahore, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi successfully won the toss and opted to bat against Australia in a crucial Champions Trophy Group B match on Friday. This encounter is vital for Afghanistan, following their remarkable eight-run victory over England earlier in the week, which significantly altered their tournament trajectory.
Afghanistan, having lost their opening match to South Africa by 107 runs, maintained the same lineup for the third consecutive game. The team relied heavily on spin bowling, featuring notable players including Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and the esteemed leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
Australia currently boasts three points, achieved through a record-shattering chase of 352 runs against England, supplemented by an additional point from a washout against South Africa. The Australian side remained unchanged for this match as they seek to secure their progression in the tournament.
Both New Zealand and India have secured their semifinal spots from Group A, while host nation Pakistan and Bangladesh have been eliminated from the tournament. Afghanistan appears determined to extend their stay in the competition.
The lineups for both teams are as follows:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
In summary, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi’s decision to bat after winning the toss highlights Afghanistan’s strategic approach in a must-win game against Australia in the Champions Trophy. Their recent victory against England has rejuvenated the team, setting the stage for this critical encounter. As the tournament progresses, the stakes are high for Afghanistan as they strive to reach the semifinals.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
