LIVE: A semi-final spot on the line as Afghanistan and Australia lock horns in Lahore
After Afghanistan's stunning win over England to knock them out, Group B sees a three-way race to determine the two teams that will make it to the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals.
Sediqullah Atal steadied the ship for Afghanistan against Australia, leaving them at 126/3 after 25 overs in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 fixture.
Spencer Johnson took the early wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first over, leaving Afghanistan on 3/1.
But Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal weathered the storm, with the assistance of 17 extras.
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Zadran went for 22, caught by Marnus Labuschagne from the bowling of Adam Zampa, followed by Rahmat Shah, caught behind by Josh Inglis off the bowling of GLenn Maxwell.
That put Afghanistan on 91/3 - but a solid half-century from Sediqullah, joined at the crease by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, set them up nicely for the second half of their innings.
Spencer Johnson strikes early to remove Rahmanullah Gurbaz | AFG v AUS | Champions Trophy 2025
Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first.
After Australia got their tournament off to a flying start by chasing down the highest-ever score at an ICC event against England, rain played spoilsport in their next, forcing them to share points with South Africa, who both are now on three points each and occupying the top two spots in Group B.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, lost their opening game to South Africa by 107 runs but came back in stunning fashion to complete an incredible triumph against England to knock them out of contention for a semi-final spot.
The two teams go head-to-head today to try and grab a last-four spot in a winner takes it all contest in Lahore.
All On The Line Preview | AFG v AUS | Champions Trophy 2025
Teams:
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
