Champions Trophy Score, AFG vs AUS:
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025's 10th match, Australia clashed with Afghanistan. However, rain prevented the contest from reaching its conclusion. Held at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on February 28 (Friday), Afghanistan had set a target of 274 runs for Australia. Chasing the target, Australia scored 109 runs with one wicket down in 12.5 overs. After that, rain and the damp field prevented further play. With the match washed out, the Australian team reached the semifinals with four points.
Afghanistan's Semi-final Hopes Dim
Currently, Afghanistan has three points. They will enter the semifinals only if England defeats South Africa by a large margin on Saturday (March 1). Then, both Afghanistan and South Africa will have 3 points each, and the semifinalist will be determined based on net run rate. Notably, South Africa holds the best net run rate (+2.140) among all teams in the tournament. In contrast, Afghanistan's net run rate is -0.990, making their qualification nearly impossible.
In the Champions Trophy, Afghanistan, South Africa, England, and Australia are placed in Group B. Australia leads with four points and has already qualified for the semifinals. Australia has won one match and two ended without a result. South Africa is second with three points from two matches. They won one match, while their game against Australia ended without a result. Afghanistan is third with three points from three matches and a net run rate of -0.990. England, in fourth place, is yet to open its account and is out of the semifinal race. From Group A, India and New Zealand have already secured spots in the semi-finals.
Source: aajtak
Head Strikes a Brilliant Fifty... Rain Strikes Back
While chasing the target, Australia's start was exceptional. Matthew Short and Travis Head partnered for 44 runs in 4.3 overs. Azmatullah Omarzai broke this partnership by dismissing Matthew Short. Short scored 20 runs off 15 balls, hitting three fours and one six. Following this, Steve Smith and Travis Head forged a remarkable partnership. During this, Head completed his fifty in just 34 balls. Head and Smith added 65 runs together, after which rain halted further play. Head was unbeaten on 59 runs with nine fours and one six off 40 balls. Smith remained unbeaten on 19 runs, hitting two fours in 22 balls.
Afghan Innings: Omarzai and Atal Hit Fifties The toss-winning Afghanistan batted first, scoring 273 runs in 50 overs. Afghanistan's start was shaky, losing an early wicket off the first over. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was bowled by Spencer Johnson without scoring. Following this, Sedikullah Atal and Ibrahim Zadran added 67 runs for the second wicket. Zadran (22) was caught by Marnus Labuschagne off Adam Zampa's bowling. Experienced batsman Rahmat Shah (12) was caught by wicketkeeper Josh Inglis off Glenn Maxwell's ball, with Afghanistan three down for 91 runs.
Shortly after Shah's dismissal, Sedikullah Atal completed his fifty. Atal appeared to be in great form, playing aerial shots as well. Atal added 68 runs with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi for the fourth wicket. Spencer Johnson ended this partnership by getting Atal caught by Steve Smith. Atal scored 85 off 95 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes.
Next came captain Hashmatullah Shahidi's (20) wicket, taken by Adam Zampa, also caught by Labuschagne. Afghanistan's fall of wickets continued. Mohammad Nabi (1) was unfortunately run out. Nathan Ellis departed Gulbadin Naib for just four runs. Afterwards, Azmatullah Omarzai and Rashid Khan added 36 runs for the eighth wicket. Rashid scored 19 runs before being caught by Glenn Maxwell on Ben Dwarshuis' ball. Omarzai then took charge, batting aggressively to elevate Afghanistan to a respectable score.
Azmatullah Omarzai smashed 63 runs off 67 balls, including five sixes and one four. Omarzai was dismissed in the last over of the innings. In that over by fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis, Afghanistan also lost Nur Ahmed's wicket. For Australia, Dwarshuis claimed three wickets, while Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa each took two. Nathan Ellis and Glenn Maxwell each grabbed one wicket.
Afghanistan's Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sedikullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Nur Ahmed, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Australia's Playing XI:
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith (captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
Afghanistan vs Australia H2H
Afghanistan and Australia have faced off in five One Day Internationals. The Kangaroos have emerged victorious in four of these matches, with one match yielding no result. The first ODI encounter between Australia and Afghanistan was held in Sharjah in August 2012, where Australia won by 66 runs. They clashed again during the 2015 Cricket World Cup at Perth's WACA Ground, with Australia securing a massive 275-run victory.
In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Australia faced Afghanistan in Bristol, winning by seven wickets. Their next encounter was in the 2023 Cricket World Cup, held at the Wankhede Stadium, where Glenn Maxwell's double century (201*) propelled Australia to a thrilling three-wicket victory.
