“If we play in the World Cup, why do we not participate in bilateral series?”
Afghanistan vs Australia: Spoken following Afghanistan’s stunning victory over Australia at last year’s T20 World Cup, Rashid Khan’s remarks have resonance beyond of sport. Although years of political and historical tensions define the India-Pakistan rivalry, Afghanistan against Australia is an unusual situation. Although there is no long-standing political war, Cricket Australia has declined to host Afghanistan in bilateral series citing concerns about the humanitarian situation there, especially the treatment of women and children under Taliban control.
Afghanistan and Australia will face one more in a pivotal Champions Trophy 2025 game in Lahore on March 2, with a semifinal position on stake despite off-field conflict.
Match Scenario: Who Is Qualified?
The formula is simple:
- Australia qualifies whether they win or if weather ruins the game.
- Afghanistan moves on with a victory.
- Afghanistan will achieve 3 points in case of a washout and require England to qualify by a significant margin to beat South Africa.
Afghanistan’s Increasing Pace
Having a great victory over England at the same stadium, Afghanistan comes into the game with sky-high confidence. The all-round genius of Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai have raised their semifinal hopes. Coach Jonathan Trott talked about the team’s “infectious self-belief” and how playing in familiar surroundings in Lahore presents a perfect chance for Afghanistan to push Australia once more.
Australia’s obstacle: rested but ready?
Australia has been a major force although without important players as Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis. Their 352-run hunt against England highlighted their deep batting line and under pressure performance prowess. Afghanistan has been battle-tested, although their previous game was rained out, therefore significantly separating them from the heat of the competition.
In Lahore will Afghanistan’s momentum or Australia’s fresh legs rule?
Match Information: Afghanistan vs Australia
March 2, 2025 | 2:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM local, date and time
Location: Libya Stadium in Lahore
Weather: Though predicted light rain, it should clear in the second half.
Lahore has hosted ten ODIs since 2022; five of them have gone to chasing teams. The first-innings average score is300. Australia chipped down 351 easily in this event, while Afghanistan defended 325 in a nail-biter.
Usually Playing XIs
Afghanistan :
Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal,
Most likely unchanged from their victory over England.
Australia
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschange, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Rested for a week; likely to keep their four front-line bowlers intact.
You Know?
Afghanistan never has beaten Australia in an ODI.
Three of the past five ODIs at Gaddafi Stadium featured captains choosing to bat first.
What they said
“You think we will come merely to play with Maxwell?” says Hashmatullah Shahidi. Do you suppose that would be like? All of the Australian team is scheduled for.
Squares
Australia Squad: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-Mcgurk, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Tanveer Sangha.
Afghanistan Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Ikram Alikhil, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveed Zadran. source cricbuzz
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