Champions Trophy: AFG vs ENG Match Prediction – Who Will Win Today’s Clash?
February 26, 2025: Match Preview:
The 8th match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see Afghanistan (AFG) take on England (ENG) at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on February 26. This must-win encounter is crucial for both teams as they aim to stay in contention for a semi-final berth.
Afghanistan enters the contest after a disappointing loss to South Africa, where they struggled with both bat and ball. However, Rahmat Shah’s gritty 90 was a silver lining in an otherwise forgettable match.
Also Read: Imran Khan Warns on Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Exit: “Cricket Will Be Destroyed”
England, on the other hand, showed their batting prowess against Australia by posting a 350+ total, but their bowling unit collapsed, leading to a massive chase by the Aussies. Ben Duckett’s record-breaking 165 was the highlight, and the team will be eager to bounce back in this crucial fixture.
The last game at Gaddafi Stadium saw over 700 runs scored, proving it to be a batting paradise. The flat track offers little assistance to bowlers, making it an ideal pitch for chasing. Captains winning the toss will likely opt to bowl first, expecting dew to make batting easier in the second innings.
| Matches Played | Afghanistan Won | England Won | Tied | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hasmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad.
Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
Ben Duckett’s record 165-run knock in the previous game showcased his aggressive intent. Given his familiarity with Lahore’s conditions, he could again be England’s biggest threat with the bat.
Despite Afghanistan’s struggles against South Africa, Mohammad Nabi stood out with key breakthroughs. His experience and ability to control the game in the middle overs will be crucial against England’s power-packed batting lineup.
While Afghanistan has previously stunned England, the latter has a stronger batting lineup and an edge in terms of depth and experience. If England’s bowlers can bounce back from their poor outing against Australia, they are favorites to win this match.
However, if Afghanistan’s spinners, led by Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi, can exploit England’s weakness against spin, they could pull off another upset.
Prediction: England to win, but expect a strong fight from Afghanistan.
AFG vs ENG, Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan vs England Prediction, ICC Cricket, Cricket Head-to-Head, Ben Duckett, Mohammad Nabi, ICC ODI Records, Match Analysis
This post was published on February 26, 2025 9:11 am
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