Champions Trophy 2025: Australia in control as spinners strike, Afghanistan eyes comeback

Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal, proper, performs a shot as Australia’s Josh Inglis watches throughout the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Australia and Afghanistan, in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP

In-form Afghanistan batsman Ibrahim Zadran fell prey to Adam Zampa, whereas Rahmat Shah was eliminated by Glenn Maxwell on Friday (February 28, 2025).

After clinching a significant win towards England in the final match at Lahore, the aspect is seeking to maintain the profitable momentum on their aspect.

Also Read | Upbeat Afghanistan plots Australia’s downfall

Earlier, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi received the coin toss underneath overcast situations and elected to bat in Afghanistan’s must-win final Group B sport.

Afghanistan made an enormous turnaround in the match when it eradicated England with a shocking eight-run victory on the identical venue on Wednesday.

Afghanistan, which misplaced the primary match to South Africa by 107 runs, went with the identical enjoying XI for the third successive sport and banked on three spinners — Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad and ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

Australia has three factors from its record-breaking 352-run chase towards England and a degree from its washout sport towards South Africa at Rawalpindi.

Australia named an unchanged aspect.

New Zealand and India have already certified for the semifinals from Group A with host Pakistan and Bangladesh eradicated.