Afghanistan won the toss against England and opted to bat first. Both teams are looking for a crucial win to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive, with Afghanistan seeking redemption after a loss to South Africa and England reeling from an upset against Australia. England made one change, bringing in Jamie Overton for the injured Brydon Carse.
In a crucial Champions Trophy match, Afghanistan chose to bat first after winning the toss against England. Afghanistan retained their initial lineup from their previous match against South Africa. In contrast, England made one change: Jamie Overton replaced the injured Brydon Carse in their squad.
England’s Squad:
Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
Afghanistan’s Squad:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
After England’s initial match against Australia, where they set an ambitious target of 352 runs, they faced a setback when Australia, led by Josh Inglis, secured victory with five wickets remaining in a record chase. This result placed England in a precarious position within Group B.
Injuries have affected England’s strategy: pacer Brydon Carse was sidelined, prompting Rehan Ahmed to join the squad as a replacement for the ongoing Champions Trophy. For their part, Afghanistan is eager for a win, having suffered a significant defeat against South Africa by 107 runs in their first match, placing their semi-final hopes on the line.
Both teams are under pressure to secure a victory, with Afghanistan needing to bounce back from a loss and England aiming to overcome their previous setbacks. This match is pivotal for both sides as they strive to advance in the Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
