Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat against Australia in a must-win Champions Trophy match. Following an impressive victory over England, Afghanistan retained their lineup, depending on their spin attack. Australia, with three points from previous matches, has also kept their team unchanged for this encounter.

In a crucial Champions Trophy match, Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, won the toss and opted to bat against Australia amidst overcast weather in Lahore, Pakistan. This match is critical for Afghanistan, who remarkably upset England with an eight-run win just two days prior at the same venue. Following an earlier defeat to South Africa, Afghanistan retained the same lineup, relying heavily on their spin bowlers, including Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad, and the renowned Rashid Khan.

Australia, on the other hand, has garnered three points after a record-setting chase of 352 runs against England and one point from a match that was washed out against South Africa. They also chose to maintain an unchanged squad as they look to secure their position in the tournament. New Zealand and India have already advanced to the semifinals, while the host nation, Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, has been eliminated from the competition.

Afghanistan’s decision to bat first against Australia highlights their strategy following a remarkable performance against England. With their key spinners and unchanged playing XI, they are keen to secure a spot in the semifinals. Australia’s consistent lineup aims to build on their recent achievements, making this a crucial encounter in the Champions Trophy.

Original Source: apnews.com