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A thrilling contest awaits as Afghanistan and Australia battle it out for a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. An unexpected result and some poor weather conditions have added extra intensity to this high-stakes match.
Afghanistan showed their rising stature in the ODI format by securing an eight-run victory against England, proving their ability to compete at the highest level. However, they had a disastrous start to the tournament with a poor showing against South Africa.
Australia, on the other hand, registered a dominant win over England in their opening match. However, their second fixture against South Africa was abandoned due to rain, leaving them with only one completed game in the group stage so far.
With both teams knowing that a win guarantees a semi-final spot, expect a high-pressure encounter in Lahore.
Match Details
| Match | Afghanistan vs Australia |
|---|---|
| Date | 9th February 2025 |
| Time | 2:00 PM IST |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Format | ODI |
| Live Streaming | Disney+ Hotstar, Star Sports |
Afghanistan Team Preview
Afghanistan’s victory over England was built on a record-breaking performance from Ibrahim Zadran, who smashed 177 runs off 146 balls, the highest individual score in ICC Champions Trophy history.
He was well supported by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi, who all contributed valuable runs. The batting unit has shown improvement, but Rahmat Shah needs to step up after failing in the last game.
With the ball, Omarzai was the hero, picking up 5/58, including the final wicket to seal the win. Rashid Khan remains a key figure in the middle overs, while Mohammad Nabi has also chipped in with wickets. However, the pace attack lacks consistency, and Gulbadin Naib and Fazalhaq Farooqi must step up against a strong Australian lineup.
Afghanistan have shown they can compete with top teams, and if their top order fires again, they could push Australia all the way.
Key Players:
- Ibrahim Zadran – Scored a record-breaking 177 runs in the last match.
- Azmatullah Omarzai – All-rounder with 41 runs and 5 wickets in the previous game.
- Rashid Khan – Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner in limited-overs cricket.
Predicted Playing XI:
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (C)
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Mohammad Nabi
- Gulbadin Naib
- Rashid Khan
- Noor Ahmad
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia Team Preview
Australia have a history of stepping up in big tournaments, and they proved their resilience with a five-wicket win over England in their first match. However, their second game was washed out, leaving them with only one result so far.
The batting lineup looks solid, with Josh Inglis, Matthew Short, and Alex Carey all showing good form. However, Glenn Maxwell remains the most dangerous player, as his last innings against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup was one of the greatest of all time.
Travis Head and Steven Smith add stability, and with Marnus Labuschagne in the middle order, the team has a strong core of experienced batters.
In the bowling department, Ben Dwarshuis will lead the pace attack, supported by Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson. Adam Zampa has a good record against Afghanistan, and his role in the middle overs will be crucial.
Australia have a more balanced squad, and if their top order fires, they will be hard to stop.
Key Players:
- Glenn Maxwell – Capable of match-winning performances with the bat.
- Travis Head – Aggressive opener with the ability to dominate the powerplay.
- Adam Zampa – Experienced leg-spinner who has troubled Afghanistan in the past.
Predicted Playing 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
Fantasy Team XI (Dream11 Prediction)
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Ibrahim Zadran | Batter |
| Travis Head | Batter |
| Steven Smith | Batter |
| Glenn Maxwell | All-rounder |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | All-rounder |
| Mohammad Nabi | All-rounder |
| Alex Carey | Wicketkeeper |
| Rashid Khan | Bowler |
| Adam Zampa | Bowler |
| Fazalhaq Farooqi | Bowler |
| Ben Dwarshuis | Bowler |
Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has been a batting-friendly venue, with four teams crossing 300+ in this tournament.
- Pitch Type: Flat track, good for batters.
- Ideal Score: 300+ is a par total.
- Bowlers to Watch: Pacers get bounce early, spinners find some turn later in the innings.
Weather Forecast
- Temperature: 15-18°C
- Humidity: High in the evening
- Rain Probability: Some rain expected before the game, but clear skies during play.
- Wind Speed: 2-3 km/h
Toss Prediction: Bowl First
- With humidity rising in the second innings, chasing could be the better option.
Match Prediction
Afghanistan are a team on the rise, and their confidence will be high after defeating England. However, Australia have the experience, firepower, and history of performing in crunch games.
With a strong batting lineup and an effective bowling attack, Australia have the edge in this must-win clash.
Prediction: Australia to win.
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