ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Match 10: Afghanistan vs Australia| Preview and Predictions

Afghanistan will face Australia in this all-important encounter on the 28th Feb in Lahore, Pakistan. This is an eliminator and whoever loses bows out of the competition. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Match 10: Afghanistan vs Australia| 14:30 IST, February 28

Australia’s match with South Africa was washed off and they had to share the points. South Africa has a far superior Net Run-Rate to both Australia and Afghanistan and hence, the onus is on these two teams to win this massive encounter.

The Australian bowling still remains a concern but the Lahore pitch is a good batting strip and as they proved against England, the Aussie batting can even chase down 350+ totals with ease. 

However, the Afghans can’t be underestimated as they are a very well-balanced side. In their last match against England, they lost early wickets, consolidated a partnership and then went slam-bang in the last 20 overs to steer their team to a massive total of 325/7. Opener Ibrahim Zadran was the star of the show with the highest individual score of 177(146) in the Champions Trophy. In response, England’s Joe Root led the fight for his team with a century but without much support as they got bowled out for 317 with Azmatullah Omarzai taking a five-wicket haul. It was a nail-biting thriller of a game with the Afghans knocking out England. 

Even though the Aussies are a much high-quality side, they cannot underestimate Afghanistan as they were troubled by them in the 2023 ODI World Cup but were saved by an exceptional Glenn Maxwell on the day. This could pan out to be another thrilling encounter but considering Australia’s in-form batting lineup, the Afghans look more likely to bow out of the competition. 

Fantasy XI: Travis Head, Ibrahim Zadran, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Englis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, Rashid Khan, Ben Dwarshuis, Azmatullah Omarzai.

Winner’ Prediction: Australia 

Venue: Lahore, Pakistan