AFG vs ENG: Group B remains wide open, and in Match 8, England and Afghanistan face off in a must-win encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Both teams lost their opening matches, making this a crucial battle for survival. Afghanistan was dismantled by South Africa’s bowling attack, while England’s defeat came despite posting a massive total against Australia, exposing their bowling frailties. England will be eager to avenge their 2023 ODI World Cup loss to Afghanistan, but the Asian side will take confidence from their past success.

Can England’s power-packed batting lineup outclass Afghanistan’s spin attack, or will Afghanistan’s fearless approach rattle the Englishmen once again?

Match Details

• Match: England vs Afghanistan, Match 8
• Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• Date & Time: Wednesday, 26th February, 14:30 IST
• Series: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches: 3
• England Wins: 2 (Win % – 66.67%)
• Afghanistan Wins: 1 (Win % – 33.33%)

Last Three Meetings

• 15 Oct 2023 – Afghanistan won by 69 runs (ODI World Cup)
• 18 Jun 2019 – England won by 150 runs
• 13 Mar 2015 – England won by 9 wickets (D/L method)

 

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – Pitch Report

Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, is renowned for its batting-friendly pitches, especially during the initial phases of One Day Internationals (ODIs). The surface offers good bounce and carry, enabling batsmen to play their shots with confidence. As the match progresses, the pitch tends to slow down, bringing spinners into play and making stroke-making more challenging.

ODI Statistics at Gaddafi Stadium (Last 10 Matches):

• Average First Innings Score: 252 runs

• Average Second Innings Score: 208 runs

• Highest Total: 375/3 by Pakistan against Zimbabwe on May 26, 2015

• Highest Successful Run Chase: 308/4 by New Zealand against South Africa on February 10, 2025

• Lowest Total Defended: 335/3 by Pakistan Women against Ireland Women on November 4, 2022

Innings Comparison (Last 10 ODIs):

Metric	First Innings	Second Innings
Average Score	252	208
Average Boundaries (4s)	19	19
Average Sixes (6s)	4	3
Average Wickets Lost	6	6
Batting Fantasy Points	297	260
Bowling Fantasy Points	161	170
Pace Bowling Fantasy Points	87	94
Spin Bowling Fantasy Points	71	72

 

Tactical Considerations:

• Toss Decisions: Captains winning the toss might prefer to bat first to capitalize on the favorable batting conditions early on.
• Competitive First Innings Score: A total of 280 or more is often considered competitive on this ground.
• Bowling Strategies: Utilizing spinners in the middle overs can be crucial in controlling the game’s tempo and restricting the batting side.

AFG vs ENG Lineups

Afghanistan

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

England

Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith (wk), Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

 

Probable Best Players for England vs Afghanistan – Champions Trophy 2025

Afghanistan

• Best Batter: Rahmanullah Gurbaz – The aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman has the ability to take on England’s pace attack in the powerplay. If he gets going, he can provide Afghanistan with a strong foundation.
• Best Bowler: Rashid Khan – The world-class leg-spinner will be Afghanistan’s biggest weapon, especially against England’s middle order, which has struggled against quality spin in subcontinental conditions.

England

• Best Batter: Ben Duckett – After his explosive 165 in England’s first game, Duckett will once again be the key in their top order. His ability to play both spin and pace makes him a major threat.
• Best Bowler: Adil Rashid – England’s lead spinner was the lone bright spot in their bowling attack against Australia. His variations and experience will be crucial in countering Afghanistan’s batters.

ENG vs AFG Match Prediction – ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Scenario 1: England Batting First

• Projected Score: 260-280 runs
• Reasoning: The Gaddafi Stadium pitch tends to favor batting early on, allowing Phil Salt and Ben Duckett to take advantage of the powerplay. Joe Root’s experience in the middle overs will be key in building partnerships, while Jos Buttler and Liam Livingstone will look to accelerate in the final stages. However, Fazalhaq Farooqi’s swing with the new ball and Rashid Khan’s spin in the middle overs could disrupt England’s flow. If Afghanistan’s bowlers hit their marks, England may struggle to post a big total.

Scenario 2: Afghanistan Batting First

• Projected Score: 240-260 runs
• Reasoning: Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will look to provide a strong start, but England’s pace attack—Jofra Archer and Mark Wood—could test them early with raw speed and bounce. Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmat Shah will play crucial roles in stabilizing the innings, while Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi will be responsible for late acceleration. However, Adil Rashid’s variations in the middle overs and Archer’s death-over precision could prevent Afghanistan from crossing the 270-run mark.

 

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