Afghanistan v Australia: Champions Trophy Semifinal

Rashid Khan's words, spoken in the aftermath of Afghanistan's historic win over Australia at last year's T20 World Cup, could have easily belonged to an India-Pakistan press conference. They are separated by more than 10,000 kilometers, not by contested borders. And yet, Cricket Australia have refused to play Afghanistan in bilateral series, citing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in the country, particularly the treatment of girls and women by the Taliban.

Afghanistan had Australia on the ropes before Glenn Maxwell's once-in-a-lifetime double hundred snatched victory from the brink of humiliation in Mumbai. Months later in Kingstown, at the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan finally had their moment, pulling off an upset that pointed to their growing stature in the global game. Now the two teams meet again in Lahore, this time with a Champions Trophy semifinal at stake.

The equation is simple: Australia qualify if they win or if rain washes out the game. Afghanistan go through if they win. In case of a washout, Afghanistan would go to 3 points and will need England to beat South Africa by a big margin to make it.

Afghanistan enter this contest riding a high, their confidence bolstered by a dramatic victory over England at this very ground. Ibrahim Zadran's record-breaking 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai's all-round brilliance kept their semifinal hopes alive, proving yet again that they are no longer content with being cricket's underdog story. The energy from that performance, the familiarity of conditions in Lahore and the 'infectious self belief' that their coach Jonathan Trott spoke about, make this a seminal moment. If there was ever a time to play Australia, it is now.

For Australia, the equation is different. They have looked every bit the dominant force, even without the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis. Their chase of 352 against England underscored their batting depth and ability to absorb pressure on the ICC stage, but that was a week ago. Their last match was washed out, leaving them removed from the rhythm of the tournament while battle-hardened Afghanistan have clocked overs on the field.

Will it be the fresh legs that prevail in Lahore or the momentum will have its say?

When: February 27, 2025, 2:30 PM IST/2:00 PM local

Where: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

What to expect: Lahore has hosted 10 ODIs since 2022, with chasing teams winning five of them. The average first-innings score in this period stands at 300. In this tournament, Australia made light work of England's 351 in a commanding chase, while Afghanistan successfully defended 325 in a tense finish. There is a forecast for light rain, but conditions are expected to improve in the second half, when the match is scheduled.

Afghanistan Probable XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Australia Probable XI:
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

Notes:

• Afghanistan have never beaten Australia in an ODI
• Captains have opted to bat first in 3 out of the last 5 ODIs at the Gaddafi Stadium
• "You think we will come only to play with Maxwell? Do you think it will be like that? We have planning for all Australian team." –Hashmatullah Shahidi