It’s a do or die clash in Lahore on Friday night, with the winner of Australia vs Afghanistan progressing to the Semi Finals of the Champions Trophy. Jack Tobin has you covered with his preview for this high stakes clash, good luck to everyone following along!
2025 ICC Champions Trophy Preview & Betting Tips
Australia vs Afghanistan
Lahore, Friday 28th February, 8pm AEDT
Australia
Predicted XI: Matt Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Australia’s path to the Semi Finals was hampered by rain on Tuesday night, with their match against South Africa washed out without a ball being bowled. It leaves Australia in second place in Group B on three points, with two possible avenues to the Semi Finals. The most simple route is by beating Afghanistan, if they do that they will secure a spot in the knockouts.
If Australia loses on Friday, they will need England to beat South Africa by a decent margin given the Aussies are 1.66 behind the Proteas on net run rate. Given England are already knocked out, it’s difficult to see the second scenario happening, so it’s a pretty simple equation of win or go home for the world champions.
Given the washout on Tuesday, it’s difficult to see Australia changing the lineup that was successful at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday. Tanveer Sangha could be included given spin was effective in the England vs Australia match, but given they have options with Labuschagne, Short, Head and Maxwell it looms likely it will be an unchanged XI.
Afghanistan
Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Afghanistan produced a famous performance in a thrilling 8 run win over England on Wednesday. After falling to 3/37, opener Ibrahim Zadran produced the greatest innings in Afghanistan’s history, smashing 177 off 146 deliveries to drag Afghanistan to 7/325. Ibrahim was supported by Mohammad Nabi (40 off 24) and Azmatullah Omarzai (41 off 31) in what was a remarkable recovery, scoring 113 runs off the final 10 overs.
Azmatullah rounded out a magnificent all-around performance, taking 5/58 to bowl his country to victory. Azmatullah took the crucial wickets of Joe Root and Jos Buttler, and bowled brilliantly at the death when England were in a strong position needing just 17 off 14 balls.
Afghanistan will come into this game full of belief after beating Australia in the T20 World Cup in 2024, and having Australia on the ropes in the 2023 World Cup before Glenn Maxwell’s miracle. Afghanistan aren’t walkovers anymore and they certainly aren’t afraid of the best nations in world cricket. Particularly in these conditions, Afghanistan are capable of beating anyone.
Match Prediction
The two matches played in Lahore so far have provided scores of 8/351, 5/356, 7/325 and 317, so safe to say we can expect another high scoring affair on Friday night. Batting second can provide a big advantage given the due, however Afghanistan did find a way to hold on despite batting first. Both batting units have shown what they are capable of, so this game will largely come down to which bowling attack can hold up best.
With four part time options to go alongside their four front line bowlers, Australia have the variety and spinning options to restrict Afghanistan on this surface. Australia have a 4-0 record in ODI cricket against Afghanistan, and they will find a way to get across the line to secure a spot in the final four.
Australia to Win
$1.26 (1.5 Units)
Prop Bet
He didn’t get going in the first game of the tournament, but there is no more reliable batsman in Australia’s side than captain Steve Smith. Smith has a remarkable ability to perform in big games, having scored 1227 runs at an average of 42.3 in ICC ODI tournaments. Smith averages 56.50 in ODI’s against, and with progression to the Semi Finals on the line expect a big performance from the skipper to get his nation through.
Steve Smith – Top Australian Bat
$4.20
