Afghanistan faces Australia in the Champions Trophy following a recent victory over England. Both teams have demonstrated resilience, with Afghanistan’s confidence boosted by prior wins against strong opponents while Australia contends with the absence of key bowlers. The match will take place on February 27, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, where chasing teams have historically performed well.
Afghanistan and Australia are set to clash in an exciting match at the Champions Trophy. Their recent encounters in ICC events, including an intense World Cup face-off, have heightened anticipation for this contest. Both teams have shown resilience, securing narrow victories against England, setting the stage for a thrilling match-up.
Afghanistan heads into the game with a boost of confidence after recently defeating England, despite facing a significant loss against South Africa earlier in the tournament. Prior to the Champions Trophy, they proved their worth by winning four consecutive bilateral series against Ireland, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe.
Australia, conversely, began their tournament with a dramatic win over England. However, their subsequent match against South Africa was washed out due to rain. The team faces challenges as they attempt to advance further in the tournament without their key fast bowlers—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood—who are not available for selection.
The probable playing XI for Afghanistan includes Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi. Meanwhile, Australia’s likely lineup features Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (w), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson.
The match is scheduled for February 27, 2025, at 2:30 PM IST at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Historically, chasing teams have won five out of ten ODIs played in the venue since 2022, where the average first-innings score is around 300 runs. Although light rain is forecasted, conditions are expected to improve as the match progresses, providing an exciting playing field for both teams.
The encounter between Afghanistan and Australia at the Champions Trophy promises to be a thrilling spectacle, highlighting the recent performances and challenges faced by both teams. Afghanistan, buoyed by their recent victory over England, seeks to assert their strength, while Australia grapples with key player absences as they strive to advance in the tournament. With favorable playing conditions anticipated, fans can look forward to an exciting match ahead.
Original Source: m.economictimes.com
