The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 continues with a crucial Group B match between England and Afghanistan at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Both teams are eager to secure their first win of the tournament, having faced defeats in their opening matches. This encounter is pivotal, as the victor will keep their semifinal aspirations alive, while the loser faces potential elimination. Let’s see and find out who is able to continue their Champions Trophy campaign, and who will be packing their bags.
Live Streaming Info
Fans can watch the Eng vs Afg live match on Ten Sports in Pakistan, Star Sports in India, and Amazon Prime in Australia. The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm PST, 2:30 pm IST, and 9:00 am GMT.
Team Analysis
England, under the leadership of Jos Buttler, is unfortunately, undergoing a transitional phase in white-ball cricket. Their opening match against Australia showcased their batting strength, with Ben Duckett scoring a commendable half-century. However, their bowling attack struggled to defend a substantial total of 351 runs. The absence of Brydon Carse, ruled out due to a recurring toe injury, has further impacted their bowling lineup. Rehan Ahmed has been called up as his replacement, and Jamie Overton is likely to step into the playing XI to bolster the pace attack.
However in this must-win match, Adil Rashid’s role as the lead spinner will be crucial, especially on the spin-friendly Lahore pitch. His experience and skill will be vital in containing Afghanistan’s aggressive batting lineup. Accompanying him is Mark Wood and Gus Atiksinson, who appears to be in good form and they can limit the opposing team to a low target by producing early wickets.
Led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan has shown significant progress in recent years, with notable performances in the 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Cups. Despite a loss to New Zealand in their opening match, the team remains optimistic. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, known for his aggressive batting style, is a key player at the top of the order and is the key assest for the Pathan team in this game. Ibrahim Zardan and Muhammad Nabi will provide strength and stability to the team’s middle order.
Dominating the bowling unit, Rashid Khan stands on the brink of a milestone, needing just two wickets to reach 200 ODI wickets. His leg-spin will be a significant threat to England’s batsmen, especially given the conducive pitch conditions. Fazalhaq Farooqui and youngster, Noor Ahmed will accompay Rashid in punishing the British players and keeping their hopes of staying alive in this Champions Trophy burning.
Conclusion
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch in Lahore is renowned for being batting-friendly, offering consistent bounce and pace. This was evident in the recent high-scoring match between Australia and England, where both teams posted substantial totals. Bowlers, particularly spinners, may find some assistance as the match progresses. Teams winning the toss might prefer to chase, considering the dew factor in evening sessions.
This match is a must-win for both England and Afghanistan to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive. Key players to watch include Ben Duckett and Adil Rashid for England, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan for Afghanistan. Given the batting-friendly conditions, spectators can anticipate a high-scoring and thrilling contest.
