Afghanistan started steadily against Australia in a clash of Champions Trophy Group B in Lahore, reaching 54/1 at the end of the 10th over.
The current run rating was 5.40, with Ibrahim Zadran (18 off 18) and Sedikra Atar (37 off 22 off) pinning the innings, with Rachmanoragherbaz firing the duck in the first over.
The Australian bowlers have kept things down, and Spencer Johnson claims to be the only wicket so far. The left-arm pacer has a 1/28th figure in five overs, but Nathan Ellis has admitted six runs in the opening.
With both teams focusing on key points at the group stage, Afghanistan aims to capitalize on their start, while Australia is keen to break the partnership and put pressure on Afghanistan’s middle order.
Afghanistan won a toss against Australia and chose to hit first. The Australian and Afghanistan match in Group B, played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, is important for both teams’ bidding for the semi-final spot.
If Australia wins today, they will qualify and Afghanistan will be knocked out. If Afghanistan wins today, they will qualify and hope that the Australian Champions Trophy will be based on tomorrow’s outcome between South Africa and the UK.
If the match is washed away due to the rain, Australia will compete in the semi-finals, and Afghanistan’s future will depend on the outcome of South Africa vs. England.
Play xi:
Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Stephen Smith (C), Marnus Lovescanu, Josh Inglis†, Alex Carrey, Glen Maxwell, Ben Dwarschwis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz†, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omalzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farookioqiioqiioqi
weather forecast:
The highly anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 clash between Afghanistan and Australia faces uncertainty as rain threatens to disrupt Lahore equipment. The weather forecast predicts a 40-70% chance of rain from 6am to 3pm on the day of the match, with a 50% chance of rain in the evening, causing concerns about possible delays and washouts.
Australia’s previous match against South Africa at Rawalpindi was abandoned due to the rain, and the similar fate of this match could have a great result. If the game is washed away, Australia will secure a semi-final spot, but Afghanistan’s hopes will depend on the outcome of the South Africa vs. England match.
Pitch Report:
Gaddafi Stadium’s pitch is traditionally batter-friendly, so it could be a high-scoring game. In the case of evening dew, batting is easy even in two innings.
The average scoring rate is 6.83, and the track is consistently favoring stroke makers. The seafarers had little movement, but the pacers may extract sponge-like bouncing from the surface. However, as the terms continue to support the batter, it is unlikely that spinners will find much support.
The pitch is expected to be played consistently in both innings, making chasing an attractive option. As a result, the team that wins the toss probably choose to choose the bowl first.
Head-on:
Afghanistan and Australia have faced each other four times in ODI cricket, and Australia rules every encounter. Buggy Green held the perfect record and won all four matches, but Afghanistan has not yet registered a victory. Australia boasts a 100% victory, but Afghanistan continues to win this direct battle.
The two teams last met on November 7th, 2023 at the 2023 ICC World Cup. Australia won a three-wicket victory at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium thanks to Glenn Maxwell playing one of the best innings in ODI history.
Prior to that, Australia won by seven wickets on June 1, 2019 on Bristol’s county ground. Their most biased victory was crushed at WACA in Perth on March 4, 2015, when they ran 275 times through Afghanistan. The first ODI encounter between the sides took place on August 25, 2012, with Australia winning by 66 runs in Sharjah.