Champions Trophy 2025: Australia face Afghanistan in do-or-die clash
What's the story
Afghanistan and Australia will face each other in the 10th match of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025.
The high-stakes encounter will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, February 28.
While the winner goes through to the semifinals, the loser is all but likely to get knocked out of the tournament.
The rivalry between the two teams has grown over the last few years due to political issues and some unforgettable ICC event clashes.
Details
Pitch report and streaming details
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has been a high-scoring venue all through the tournament.
The average first innings score here is 338, with no signs of the pitch slowing down in the second innings.
This indicates that winning the toss and opting to bat first could be a strategic advantage for either team in this crucial match-up.
The match be live televised on Star Sports Network while Jiostar will provide the live streaming (2:30pm IST).
Tournament progress
Journey of the two teams
Australia started their Champions Trophy campaign on a high, chasing down a mammoth target of 352 against England in Lahore.
Their second match against South Africa was washed out due to rain in Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan had a bitter start, losing to South Africa by 107 runs, but they returned to winning ways, beating England by eight runs in Lahore.
Historical record
Australia-Afghanistan: A look at their head-to-head record
As per ESPNcricinfo, Australia have dominated Afghanistan in this format.
The two teams have in clashed in four ODIs so far, with Australia winning all four.
Notably, Glenn Maxwell's record-breaking double-ton headlined the AUS-AFG match in the 2023 WC.
However, Afghanistan stunned the Aussies in their last international meeting, which took place in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup.
Predicted XIs
Predicted XI of the two teams
Australia predicted XI: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
Afghanistan predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Stats
Here are the key players
Josh Inglis made 120* off just 86 balls in Australia's tournament opener against England.
Alex Carey and Matthew Short aided Inglis with half-centuries.
Meanwhile, Adam Zampa owns 75 ODI scalps in Asia at 27.94.
Ibrahim Zadran made 177 off 146 balls against England, recording the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history.
Azmatullah Omarzai claimed five wickets in the contest.