AFG vs ENG | A Do-or-Die Battle for Champions Trophy Survival in Champions Trophy 2025 Afghanistan vs England

AFG vs ENG: High-Stakes Clash in Champions Trophy 2025

With the Champions Trophy’s short format allowing minimal margin for error, AFG and ENG find themselves at a crucial juncture. Having lost their opening fixtures, both teams must win this contest at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, to keep their semifinal hopes alive. A loss here would push them to the brink of elimination, making this a high-pressure showdown.

The last time these two sides met, AFG stunned the defending champions ENG by 69 runs in the ODI World Cup, exploiting sub-continental conditions to perfection. Their strategy of setting a competitive total and letting their spinners dictate terms worked wonders. ENG, struggling with form, had no response to AFG’s aggressive gameplay. Now, in similar conditions, another upset could be on the cards.

Both teams endured heavy defeats in their opening encounters. ENG’s 351-run total against AUS was chased down with ease, exposing their frailties in bowling and fielding. While the dew factor played a role, ENG’s errant bowling made the task easier for AUS. In Pakistani conditions, where batting dominates, a strong bowling attack can make all the difference, and ENG found out the hard way that theirs wasn’t up to the mark.

For AFG, the tournament started on a disastrous note. Their spin-heavy bowling unit struggled against SA on a dry pitch that should have suited them. They took too long to adjust to the pace of the surface, allowing SA to post a daunting 315. Chasing under lights, AFG’s batters crumbled under pressure, dismantled by Marco Jansen’s fiery spell. However, in Lahore, batting conditions should be better, especially in the second innings, with dew likely to play a significant role.

This match is evenly poised, with ENG holding a slight edge due to the batting-friendly conditions in Lahore. Their extra pace could trouble AFG’s batters, but if the dew factor remains absent, AFG’s strategy of batting first and putting runs on the board could make the contest tighter.

Match Details:
When: February 26, 2:00 PM local, 2:30 PM IST
Where: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Pitch Report: Lahore has seen high-scoring ODIs in recent years, with 300-plus totals frequently chased. Dew is expected, which might influence the captain’s decision at the toss.

Team News

AFG: Noor Ahmad’s expensive outing against SA could lead to his replacement by Mujeeb-ur-Rahman. With the importance of this fixture, AFG might look to strengthen their bowling attack.

Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman/Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqui.

ENG: With Brydon Carse ruled out due to injury, ENG has a selection dilemma. Jamie Overton, offering both pace and batting depth, could be the preferred choice over Gus Atkinson and Saqib Mahmood.

Probable XI: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.

Key Stats to Watch

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz has scored five ODI hundreds since 2023, making him AFG’s most reliable batter.

• Jos Buttler’s underwhelming average of 25.82 in ICC ODI events, despite a strong strike rate, raises concerns over ENG’s middle order.

• Rashid Khan’s ODI career numbers are stellar (198 wickets, economy 4.21), but his ICC event stats (17 wickets at 50.76) paint a different picture. Can he turn it around?

ENG’s Struggles and AFG’s Opportunity

ENG’s white-ball dominance has faded, and their inability to defend 350-plus scores against a weakened AUS lineup exposed their vulnerabilities. Their bowling lacks penetration, and the absence of key pacers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the previous game further highlighted their struggles.

ENG’s batting unit has its own issues. Phil Salt, despite his explosiveness, hasn’t converted starts into big scores since 2022. Harry Brook, once a promising talent, has been troubled by spinners, falling to Adam Zampa in the last match. Facing AFG’s high-quality trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman will be another stern test for ENG’s batters.

For AFG, consistency remains a challenge. They dazzled in the T20 World Cup but need to replicate that form in ODIs, where execution matters more over 50 overs. If they can channel their strengths—spin and aggressive batting ENG’s vulnerabilities could be exploited.

Final Thoughts

This match is more than just a battle for two points; it’s about survival. While ENG has the upper hand on paper, AFG’s ability to punch above their weight in ICC tournaments makes them a dangerous opponent. If dew comes into play, ENG might benefit from chasing. However, if AFG bats first and sets a challenging total, their spin attack could make life difficult for ENG.

Will ENG bounce back, or can AFG pull off another historic upset? The stakes couldn’t be higher.