Afghanistan is set to bat first against England in a crucial Champions Trophy match that both teams must win to remain in semifinal contention. The match comes amid political controversy regarding Afghanistan’s women’s rights policies. Afghanistan retains the same lineup as their last match, while England makes one change due to injury.
In a critical Champions Trophy match, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and chose to bat first against England. Both teams face elimination from semifinal contention if they lose this match, making it a must-win scenario. The decision to proceed with the game comes in light of recent pressure from over 160 British politicians urging the England and Wales Cricket Board to forfeit due to Afghanistan’s policies on women’s rights in sports.
Afghanistan seeks redemption after a significant defeat to South Africa, who topped them by 107 runs in their previous outing, bolstered by Ryan Rickelton’s first ODI century. Additionally, England is coming off a loss against Australia, which set a record by achieving the highest-ever chase of 352 runs in ICC tournament history, winning by five wickets. In preparation for this match, Afghanistan has retained three spinners, hoping to leverage their bowling strengths.
The Afghan team remains unchanged despite their prior defeat, maintaining bowlers Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi. However, England adjusts its lineup with the exclusion of Brydon Carse due to a toe injury, bringing in Jamie Overton as a replacement to enhance their bowling attack. Previous matches saw India and New Zealand qualify for the semifinals from Group A, eliminating Pakistan and Bangladesh from the competition.
Lineups:
– Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
– England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (captain), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
With significant stakes on the line, this match not only tests the skills of both teams but also reflects the evolving narrative surrounding international cricket and its intersection with global socio-political issues.
The upcoming match between Afghanistan and England in the Champions Trophy is pivotal, with both teams fighting for a spot in the semifinals. This scenario highlights the high stakes of international cricket while underscoring the influence of current socio-political issues. With Afghanistan maintaining its squad and England making a necessary adjustment, the match promises to be a gripping encounter that could determine the future of both teams in the tournament.
Original Source: apnews.com
