CT: Australia’s heritage clashes with Afghanistan’s flair for a semi-final spot
Arpita Kushwaha February 28, 2025 03:27 PM

Australia is aiming for a semifinal slot, but their long history in cricket’s major competitions won’t matter when they play an Afghanistan team that is quickly solidifying its position at the top of the game’s table in the Champions Trophy here on Friday.

1528090 cric 1

Less than a year after making it to the last four of the T20 World Cup in the Americas, Afghanistan has a chance to go to the semifinals of a major tournament for the second time in a row. They are still enjoying the aftermath of their historic victory against England at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

However, a victory for Australia would guarantee their spot in the tournament’s semifinals and eliminate Afghanistan with one game remaining. It’s easier said than done, however. For starters, despite their batting prowess, Australia lacks their three best fast bowlers, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc. The three were missed as England amassed a total of over 350 in their tournament opener before the Australians won by five wickets with 15 balls remaining thanks to a counterattacking century from Josh Inglis.

Winners twice After a 15-year hiatus, Australia is attempting to win the Champions Trophy again. The tournament was terminated after they failed to make it to the finals in the 2013 and 2017 editions, after having won back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2009.

With players like Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and Glenn Maxwell able to inflict significant damage on the opposing bowling attack, Australia knows that their strength rests in batting when their big fast bowlers are not available.

Without a question, the team has suffered from the loss of regulars, but it has also given the young Turks a chance to shine, solidify their spot in the squad, and continue the long Australian tradition at important events. Australia is expected to put on a good batting display, but players like Ben Dwarshuis, Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis, and Adam Zampa, who will be responsible for the ball in difficult situations, know that they must give it their all if they want to advance past the group stage.

They will try to make apologies on Thursday after Dwarshuis and Johnson were careless against England (the match against South Africa was canceled). Australia also has a spinner in Zampa who may take advantage of the conditions in Pakistan.

The fearless opener Ibrahim Zadran, whose 177 against England is now the highest individual score in the Champions Trophy, will lead Afghanistan’s batting attack.

Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott said in the press conference after the victory over England that Australia would not take their next opponents lightly after losing to the Afghans in the T20 World Cup last year.

In addition to the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mahammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad, Trott has a strong bowling attack at his disposal, with Azmatullah Omarzai heading the speed squad.

Groups:

Jason Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, and Steve Smith (captain) of Australia.

Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain). Bilal Sami and Darwish Rasooli are the backups.

The game begins at 2:30 p.m. IST.

© Copyright @2025 LIDEA. All Rights Reserved.