Champions Trophy 2024/25, AFG vs AUS tenth Match, Group B Match Preview

Massive image: Winner of digital sudden demise to qualify for the semis

Very like Afghanistan’s match in opposition to England, the political spectre over this conflict is difficult to place apart. Matches are uncommon between the nations with Australia – like England – taking a human rights stance and pledging to droop bilateral ties whereas the Taliban stay in energy.

However underlining the complexities of the difficulty, Australia do play Afghanistan at ICC occasions – which has led to some criticism – and this intriguing, budding rivalry will resume in Lahore with a lot at stake.

However Afghanistan can be eradicated with a loss, whereas Australia additionally should win, with a defeat that means they should depend on South Africa being completely pummelled by a beleaguered England with nothing to play for. A washout will see Australia by to the semi-final.

Australia and Afghanistan as soon as once more discover themselves pitted in a high-stakes contest at an ICC occasion. On the 2022 T20 World Cup, Australia emerged with a slim six-run victory in Adelaide that was finally not the net-run-rate enhance wanted as they crashed out early on residence soil.

Glenn Maxwell, in fact, modified the course of the 2023 World Cup with a exceptional double century that also beggars perception. However Afghanistan had some measure of revenge eventually 12 months’s T20 World Cup as they overcame a quick Maxwell onslaught with a 21-run victory that memorably sealed their place within the semi-finals.

And, as soon as once more, a semi-final spot is up for grabs. The shape line is a little bit laborious to learn with each groups having tight wins over a wheezing England. Afghanistan bounced again strongly after a disastrous opening in opposition to South Africa whereas Australia’s momentum got here to a halt after their conflict in opposition to the Proteas was washed out.

Though they’re significantly weakened – in opposition to England they fielded their least skilled assault at an ICC ODI occasion since 1983 – Australia mustered up their big-game pedigree below stress to make a press release. Their batting line-up nonetheless incorporates loads of firepower with centurion Josh Inglis rising as a real star batter throughout codecs. It’s little surprise that some imagine he is Australia’s subsequent captain.

A again in opposition to the wall triumph is in play, however Australia should firstly get previous rising Afghanistan in a recreation that feels evenly poised. Afghanistan will lean on their spin-heavy assault, however Australia do have quite a few gamers adept in opposition to the turning ball – led by Inglis.

Australia’s depleted tempo shares makes that division extra equally matched than earlier encounters, whereas an in-form Ibrahim Zadran – coming off a Champions Trophy-best rating of 177 – ensures he can go toe-to-toe along with his counterparts.

The prospect of extra dangerous climate in Lahore may additionally play a think about a conflict that’s set to be simply as compelling because the latest matches between these groups.

Kind information

Australia WLLLL (final 5 accomplished matches, most up-to-date first)
Afghanistan WLWWW

There is not a lot cricket historical past between the nations, however Glenn Maxwell might be the primary identify that springs to thoughts with this match-up. Within the final ODI between the groups, a hobbled Maxwell produced one of many biggest ever innings to rescue Australia from the brink on the 2023 World Cup and crush the hearts of Afghanistan. Maxwell enters this match in nice type having put the ending touches in opposition to England after a superb finish to the BBL season. It will likely be fascinating to see if his presence on the crease spooks Afghanistan, who’re adamant they have not devoted an excessive amount of of their plans on him.

Whereas Afghanistan’s slew of high quality spinners deservedly attracts loads of consideration, seam bowling allrounder Azmatullah Omarzai stole the present in opposition to England along with his maiden five-wicket haul of his skilled profession. He was notably very good on the demise with three wickets when the sport was on a knife’s edge. Omarzai’s emergence has helped Afghanistan higher steadiness their assault and they’re not merely reliant on their spinners for fulfillment. He’ll must again up that efficiency in opposition to a formidable Australia batting-order and his canny, skiddy bowling will have to be on level in opposition to big-hitting openers Travis Head and Matthew Quick. If he can strike early breakthroughs then Afghanistan can be proper within the hunt.

Group information: Sean Abbott for Spencer Johnson?

Because of the inclement circumstances, group lists weren’t even introduced for the Australia-South Africa conflict. It makes predicting Australia’s line-up considerably tough. The group is generally settled, however they is likely to be tempted to tweak their bowling assault that leaked 351 runs in opposition to England. Left-arm fast Spencer Johnson is likely to be within the choice gun after he was missed for the demise overs in opposition to England. However his tempo and bounce could possibly be a weapon in opposition to Afghanistan’s high order. Australia, who skilled indoors on match eve, may also contemplate bowling allrounder Sean Abbott, who provides a degree of distinction and strengthens the batting, and legspinner Tanveer Sangha given Marnus Labuschagne’s part-time legspin performed a job in opposition to England.

Australia (doable): 1 Matthew Quick, 2 Travis Head, 3 Steven Smith (capt), 4 Marnus Labuschagne, 5 Josh Inglis (wk), 6 Alex Carey, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Sean Abbott/Spencer Johnson, 9 Ben Dwarshuis, 10 Nathan Ellis, 11 Adam Zampa

After such a momentous victory, Afghanistan are more likely to go unchanged for the third straight recreation and again their spin energy in subcontinental circumstances. The trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad will current appreciable challenges for the Australians.

Afghanistan (Attainable): 1 Ibrahim Zadran, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (Capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Prophet, 8 Gulbadin Naib, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pitch and circumstances

Each groups are actually nicely acquainted with the circumstances in Lahore, which have been significantly batting-friendly. Whereas it has been largely robust going for tempo bowlers, spinners have had an influence regardless of minimal flip off the floor. After the washout between Australia and South Africa, rain once more threatens to spoil the get together though the forecast is best from the late afternoon onwards. However with loads of rain cascading on the bottom within the lead-up, drainage is also a problem.

Stats and trivia

Maxwell is 17 away from 4000 ODI runs. His strike price of 126.68 is the most effective in ODI historical past [minimum of 500 balls faced].

Rashid Khan is one wicket away from changing into the primary Afghanistan bowler to assert 200 ODI wickets. His bowling common of 20.4 is the ninth finest in ODI historical past [minimum of 1000 balls].

Rahmat Shah wants 37 runs to change into the primary Afghanistan batter to succeed in 4000 ODI runs.

Australia have received all 4 ODIs in opposition to Afghanistan.

Quotes

“If the entire match rains out, I believe which means we undergo to the semi-finals, however clearly we might love to have the ability to win the sport tomorrow and end high within the pool.”
Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne on the doable rain issue

“We’ve got been planning for all the Australian group. I do know that he performed very well within the 2023 World Cup, however that is a part of historical past. We beat them within the T20 World Cup….we’re not coming to the bottom to plan on [just one] particular person participant.”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi says his group will not be totally targeted on Maxwell

Tristan Lavalette is a journalist primarily based in Perth