Afghanistan's aim for a dream victory against Australians
| Date | February 28, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Format | ODI |
| Series | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Ibrahim Zadran has odds of 3.95 to be Afghanistan's best batsman
- Travis Head has odds of 3.40 to be Australia's best batsman
- Rashid Khan has odds of 2.70 to be Afghanistan's best bowler
- Adam Zampa has odds of 3.10 to be Australia's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
The competition has heated up in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It will be a crucial Group B encounter where a resurgent Afghanistan will be up against Australia in the 10th game. The Afghans will be confident after their thrilling win against England in the last game. The team has made a habit of defeating big sides in ICC tournaments, and they look forward to winning this game and reaching the semis. The Australians shared points with the South Africans after their last game was abandoned by rain. They would recall their last game against the Afghans in the ICC Cricket World Cup, where they faced a scare and won't take their opponents lightly. There is much at stake for both teams in this game, and we expect a good contest.
Afghanistan Preview
Hashmatullah Shahidi's men performed excellently in their last game against England, winning by 8 runs. It would be a disservice to call the game an upset, as this Afghan side has made it a habit of defeating big teams in ICC tournaments. They don't have a great record against the Australians, but the players will take confidence from their near win against the Aussies in the last ICC World Cup. They will start behind on cricket betting sites and look to prove the bookmakers wrong with a strong performance.
Ibrahim Zadran played one of the best ODI knocks in the last game and will be confident. He must deliver a strong start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah missed out on the last game, and they will look to add runs in the middle order with Hashmatullah Shahidi. Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, and Rashid Khan are good hitters, making up a formidable batting lineup.
The bowling attack will be under pressure as they take on a destructive batting lineup. Azmatullah Omarzai bowled well in the last game and must strike along with Fazalhaq Farooqi. Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan are the key bowlers for the team, and their spells in the middle overs will decide the team's fortunes. Noor Ahmed and Gulbadin Naib look forward to excelling in the supporting role.
Expected Starting XI for Afghanistan
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia Preview
Steven Smith and his men shared points with the South Africans in the last game. They started the tournament with an electrifying show against England. However, the Afghans pose a bigger challenge with their spin attack in these conditions. The Australians will start ahead on cricket betting apps with their strong batting lineup, but Smith would like to see better efforts from his bowlers who lack the experience of bowling in these conditions.
Mattew Short batted well against England, and the team expects him to deliver an electrifying start. They will look to provide an aggressive start to this game with Travis Head. Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne must anchor the innings in the middle order and add runs with in-form Josh Inglis. Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell are good strikers and add firepower to this batting lineup.
The bowling attack will be under pressure after seeing the heroics of the Afghans in the last game. The team needs early wickets from Ben Dwarshuis and Spencer Johnson. Adam Zampa is the key bowler in these conditions, and the team expects a good show from him in the middle overs along with Maxwell. Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short, and Labuschagne add variety to the attack.
Expected Starting XI for Australia
Steven Smith (c), Matthew Short, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
TOSS: To Bowl First
Bowling in the second half is never easy in Lahore. The dew settles in, making it difficult for bowlers to grip the ball. The side chasing the score will have an advantage in these conditions. It is a high-pressure contest, and we believe the team winning the toss won't hesitate to bowl first on this track.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
There are predictions for overcast skies, and we may see rain during the contest. The wicket will be flat, allowing batsmen to play their strokes, as we have seen in both games at this venue. The team batting first will need 320 on the board to feel confident on this track, which has little for the bowlers.
OUR PREDICTION
Afghanistan executed their plans well in the last game. The team batted well and did well to defend that total on a flat surface. However, the Aussies pose a different challenge to them. They have never defeated the Aussies before and must punch above their weight. The Australians have firepower in the batting and always do well in crunch matches. According to our cricket betting tips, it will be a close contest, but the Australians have an edge.
Our prediction is for Australia to win
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