WHO: Afghanistan vs Australia
Contents: ICC Champions Trophy – Group B Game
When: Friday, February 28th at 2pm (09:00 GMT)
Location: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
Follow Al Jazeera’s live photos and text commentary streams from 05:00 GMT.
Afghanistan has a lot in their hearts when they face Australia in the final group game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held in Lahore on Friday.
The rise in men’s cricket opposes the most successful teams in all ICC tournaments. But that’s not all. The match takes place under a cloud of prolonged political tension between the two countries and their respective cricket boards.
Australia has refused to play against Afghanistan in bilateral tournaments since the Taliban returned to power in Asian countries in 2021.
The boycott has been criticized by ACB officials and Afghan players and retired president of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The match also serves as a virtual knockout for both teams, providing the opportunity to compete in the semi-finals.
If Afghanistan accomplishes that, it will be the first time in the final four stages of the ICC event.
Meanwhile, Australia is not a knockout stage stranger, enjoying the chance to lift the 1-day International (ODI) trophy, which won the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023.
“Who knows what we can achieve?”
Afghan coach Jonathan Trott believes the team’s performance at the 50th over and the 2020 World Cup means that Australia is not likely to take it lightly.
Afghanistan beat England on Wednesday in Lahore with eight runs
In the last two ICC tournaments, the Trot men beat England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to finish sixth in the 50-over World Cup, taking part in the T20 edition semi-finals in 2024, beating Australia on the way.
“It’s all on the line. Since I was coaching, we’ve played Australia three times and we’ve been in the game in each of those games,” former England batsman Trott said before the match.
“We should have a lot of confidence after that… Certainly what happened in the World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and I’ll tell this to the players as well.
“In the past, people probably thought it was a little easier than looking at fixtures and playing a historic test country.
“In this format, under these conditions, I don’t see it. Every game we play is competitive and I expect every game we enter will win.”
Trott said the team had a graphic look when it was taken over in 2022, but they grew with experience.
“Who knows what we can achieve?” he asked.
𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐠𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐞! 🤩🤳 #Afghan Taran | #championstrophy | #afgveng | #gloriousnationvictoriousteam pic.twitter.com/bmxq6t2xpd
– Afghanistan Cricket Committee (@Acbofficials) February 26, 2025
How can Afghanistan compete in the semi-finals?
After earning two points from two games, the template is easy on the trot side. Defeat Australia and finish with 4 points, sealing the berth.
How can Australia compete in the semi-finals?
The winners of the two-time Champions Trophy have scored three points from their first two games. A victory over England gave him two points, and a washed-down game against South Africa scored one point.
All they need now is one point that ends against their opponent. If the match does not finish the results, Australia will score one point and end in four matches from three matches.
But the losses knock them out.
Weather Forecast for Lahore
With a big shower expected in the morning, the weather could continue the rat port for the second game. The rain will ease later that day, but could affect the match.
Afghanistan vs Australia: Head to Head Record
The real world champion has won all four ODI meetings between the two sides.
Form Guide: Afghanistan
Before losing the opening match against South Africa, Afghanistan had scored four of six ODIs in the bilateral series with Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
They bounced back from the tournament opener defeat by beating the 2019 World Champions England on Wednesday.
The last 5 ODIs: nr wwlw
Form Guide: Australia
Australia has arrived at the Champions Trophy, behind two ODI series losses, including a whitewash to Sri Lanka, but turned things around in the opening game against All Drybal England.
The last 5 ODIs: lllw nr
Afghan team news
Afghanistan is expected to send out the same XI that overcame England in the final game.
Squad: Hashmathura Shahidi (captain), Ramat Shah, Ramamala Ghabaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sedikula Atal, Azmathura Omarzai, Mohammad Navi, La La Abhammad Hamad Hamad Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik, Nangeyalia Kharote
Australian Team News
Australia also rarely tinkers with XI of winning over the line against rivals.
Squad: Steve Smith (captain), Alex Carrey (wicketkeeper), Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardy, Travishead, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Marnus Lovescanyu, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Adam Zampa, Jake Fraser McCruck, Ben Abbott, Ben Abbott,
