England and Afghanistan will face each other in the 8th match of the Champions Trophy on February 26 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Match Preview:
This Group B clash is not just a must-win game for both sides but also carries political undertones. Not long ago, England’s politicians urged the ECB to boycott the Afghanistan cricket team. While the appeal was ultimately dismissed by England’s board, it added tension between the two sides.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, women were banned from playing sports. Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, has voiced his support for women’s cricket but acknowledged that it is a situation beyond their control.
“Everyone likes to see everyone play,” Shahidi said. “When it comes to politics and those things which we cannot control, we are only cricket players. We can control things on the ground.”
Beyond the political backdrop, England will be fully aware of Afghanistan’s potential as a team. In their last encounter at the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan stunned England, securing their first-ever victory against them in tournament history. That win showcased Afghanistan’s ability to challenge the top teams.
With so much on the line, both teams will give their all to secure a place in the next stage of the tournament.
For England, batting remains their biggest strength, as seen in their opening game against Australia. The likes of Ben Duckett and Joe Root will need to be at their best if England wants to register their first win in this edition of the Champions Trophy.
However, their struggles against high-quality spin could be a concern, especially with Afghanistan boasting a world-class spinner in Rashid Khan.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will rely heavily on their top order to provide a solid foundation. Their middle and lower order has been inconsistent, and while the likes of Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi add balance, the firepower at the top could be the deciding factor in the match.
Probable Playing XI:
England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jamie Smith (wk), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jos Buttler (capt), 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood
Afghanistan: (possible) 1 Ibrahim Zadran, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Gulbadin Naib, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi
Pitch and weather report:
Lahore’s pitch is expected to be a batting paradise once again, similar to England’s first match. However, the weather might be slightly different this time, with cloud cover and cooler temperatures, which could assist England’s fast bowlers.
Head-to-head record:
England and Afghanistan have faced each other three times in ODIs. England has won two matches, while Afghanistan secured a famous victory in their most recent encounter.
Prediction:
Considering England’s recent performances and their struggles against spin, Afghanistan has a strong chance of winning this game.
Where to watch:
India: Jio Hotstar,
Pakistan: Myco, Tapmad, and Tamasha app
UAE and MENA: STARZPLAY
USA and Canada: Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)
Caribbean: ESPN Play Caribbean app
Australia: PrimeVideo
New Zealand: SkyGo app.
South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App
Bangladesh: Nagorik TV
Afghanistan: ATN
Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV
