AFG vs AUS Preview: A blockbuster game awaits as Afghanistan and Australia eye a semi-final spot

A buoyant Afghanistan is set to take on a depleted Australian side in a virtual quarterfinal clash at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday, February 28. The winner will head to the semifinals, while the losing side will have to board the flight back home.

After producing a sensational performance against England in the last game, Afghanistan will be confident about their chances. They amassed 325/7 in their 50 overs on the back of Ibrahim Zadran’s phenomenal 177 off 146 balls. In reply, England was bowled out for 317 as Joe Root’s first ODI century in almost five years went in vain. This win was important for Afghanistan, especially after the defeat in their first game against South Africa, as it kept their hopes of reaching the semifinals alive.

Meanwhile, Australia started their campaign with a historic win against England before the game against South Africa was abandoned due to rain. The Men in Yellow chased down a 352-run target at the Gaddafi Stadium with five wickets and 15 balls to spare. Australia might be without their star troika of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, but they have enough ammunition in the bowling department to challenge the Afghan batters.

Pitch Report

Batters have enjoyed themselves at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The pitches have been great for batting and the boundaries are also on the shorter side. Since 2022, ten ODIs have been played at the venue, with the average first-innings score being 300. There is a forecast for some rain on Friday, but the conditions are expected to improve in the latter half of the match. The captain who wins the toss wouldn’t mind batting first on this surface. Afghanistan has yet to beat Australia in an ODI in four meetings. They would want to take confidence from their victory against the Aussies in last year’s T20 World Cup. A win on Friday will help Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men reach the semifinals in their first appearance in the Champions Trophy.

Predicted XI:

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hasmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad.

Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.