Australia and Afghanistan clash in a must-win match for the Champions Trophy 2025 on February 28 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The winner will advance to the semifinals, while the loser is likely to exit the tournament. Australia’s strong start contrasts against Afghanistan’s mixed results, setting up a compelling encounter.
In a crucial match of the Champions Trophy 2025, Australia will take on Afghanistan at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, February 28. This 10th match is a knockout affair where the winner secures a semifinal spot while the loser faces elimination from the tournament. The growing rivalry stems from political tensions and memorable clashes during various ICC events in recent years.
The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium has proven to be high-scoring, with an average first innings total of 338 runs, indicating better chances for teams batting first. This strategic advantage reinforces the importance of the toss. Fans can catch the live broadcast on Star Sports Network and stream it on Jiostar starting at 2:30 PM IST.
Australia commenced their Champions Trophy journey strongly, achieving a remarkable chase against England with a target of 352 runs. Unfortunately, their second match against South Africa was impacted by rain, resulting in a washout in Rawalpindi. Conversely, Afghanistan began poorly against South Africa, losing by 107 runs but bounced back to defeat England by eight runs in their next match.
Historically, Australia has dominated Afghanistan in ODIs, winning all four encounters. Their previous encounter featured Glenn Maxwell’s record double-century during the 2023 World Cup, while Afghanistan recently stunned Australia in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
In terms of expected team line-ups, Australia will likely field Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson. Afghanistan’s probable XI includes Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Key player performances include Josh Inglis, who scored an impressive 120* off 86 balls against England. Alex Carey and Matthew Short both contributed valuable half-centuries as well. Adam Zampa, with 75 ODI wickets in Asia, is another vital player for Australia. For Afghanistan, Ibrahim Zadran set a record with 177 runs against England, while Azmatullah Omarzai excelled with five wickets in that same match.
The upcoming match between Australia and Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 is a pivotal one, as it will likely determine which team advances to the semifinals. Australia’s strong lineup faces a competitive Afghanistan team that has shown resilience in the tournament. With a favorable pitch for batting and the historical context of their matchups, this match promises intensity and excitement.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
