The Afghanistan vs Australia (Champions Trophy) match, set for February 28, 2025, is a virtual knockout game with a semifinal spot on the line. Australia comes into this contest with 3 points (1 win, 1 washout), while Afghanistan has 2 points after a thrilling 8-run win over England in their last match. With both teams desperate for victory, expect an intense battle at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Here’s the full breakdown of the match, including Dream11 tips, pitch report, match time, and live streaming details.
Match Overview
- Teams: Afghanistan vs Australia
- Date: February 28, 2025
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
- Match Number: 10th match, Group B, ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Match Context
🔹 If Australia wins: They qualify for the semi-finals.
🔹 If Afghanistan wins: They move ahead, knocking out Australia.
🔹 If the match is washed out: Australia advances with 4 points, while Afghanistan gets eliminated with 3 points.
Pitch Report – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
📍 Surface Type: Batting-friendly pitch with even bounce.
📊 Average First Innings Score: 270-300 runs in ODIs.
🎯 Chasing or Defending? Dew factor makes chasing easier under lights.
🧤 Bowling Impact: Early movement for pacers, spinners must rely on variations.
🏏 Recent Matches at Gaddafi Stadium:
- Australia chased 352 vs England – proving the pitch is great for batting.
- High first-innings totals (310+ runs) in both previous matches indicate another run-fest.
🌦 Weather Update: Rain is predicted in Lahore, which might disrupt play. If the match gets washed out, Australia will automatically qualify for the semi-finals.
Squads for Both Teams
Afghanistan Squad
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Ikram Alikhil, Nangeyalia Kharote, Naveed Zadran
Australia Squad
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Tanveer Sangha
Dream11 Tips – Key Players to Pick
Wicketkeepers:
✅ Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG): Explosive opener who can take advantage of the batting conditions.
✅ Josh Inglis (AUS): A reliable middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper with consistency.
Batters:
✅ Travis Head (AUS) (C): Aggressive stroke-maker; his ODI form makes him a top captaincy choice.
✅ Ibrahim Zadran (AFG): Afghanistan’s most dependable batter, great against pace attacks.
✅ Steven Smith (AUS): Australia’s rock in the middle order; can anchor and accelerate when needed.
All-Rounders:
✅ Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) (VC): Key player for Afghanistan, offering both pace bowling and batting depth.
✅ Glenn Maxwell (AUS): Match-winner with both bat and ball, a must-pick for Dream11.
✅ Mohammad Nabi (AFG): Veteran cricketer, valuable for his all-round contributions.
Bowlers:
✅ Rashid Khan (AFG): The biggest threat for Australia; world-class leg-spinner who can turn the game.
✅ Adam Zampa (AUS): Will play a crucial role in the middle overs with his leg-spin.
✅ Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG): Left-arm pacer who can pick up early wickets.
Dream11 Team Suggestion
Best Combination: 1 WK | 3 BAT | 3 ALL | 4 BOWL
Wicketkeeper: Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Batters: Travis Head (C), Ibrahim Zadran, Steven Smith
All-Rounders: Azmatullah Omarzai (VC), Glenn Maxwell, Mohammad Nabi
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Adam Zampa, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Nathan Ellis
📌 Captain Choice: Travis Head (batting-friendly conditions)
📌 Vice-Captain Choice: Azmatullah Omarzai (all-round impact)
💡 Strategy:
- Pick top-order batters for high-scoring conditions.
- Spinners like Rashid & Zampa are crucial despite the batting pitch.
- All-rounders Maxwell & Omarzai offer the best point-scoring potential.
Match Time & Toss Strategy
- Toss Time: 2:00 PM IST | 1:30 PM PKT
- Start Time: 2:30 PM IST | 2:00 PM PKT | 9:00 AM GMT
🏏 Best Toss Decision:
- Batting first might be preferred due to the high-scoring conditions.
- However, chasing under lights has been successful in Lahore due to dew.
Live Streaming Details – Where to Watch
📺 India:
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network (Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports Hindi)
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar (App & Website)
📺 Pakistan:
- TV Broadcast: PTV Sports, Geo Super
- Live Streaming: A-Sports App
📺 Australia:
- TV Broadcast: Prime Video
- Live Streaming: Kayo Sports
📺 UK:
- TV Broadcast: Sky Sports Cricket
- Live Streaming: SkyGO, NOW TV
📺 USA & Canada:
- TV Broadcast: Willow TV
- Live Streaming: Willow by Cricbuzz App
📺 Caribbean:
- TV Broadcast: ESPN Caribbean
- Live Streaming: ESPN Play Caribbean
Final Remarks – A Do-Or-Die Battle!
🚨 Key Match Facts:
✔ Australia holds an unbeaten record against Afghanistan in ODIs.
✔ Afghanistan shocked England in their last game, showing their ability to fight.
✔ Australia chased 352 against England on the same ground, proving their batting power.
This Afghanistan vs Australia (Champions Trophy) clash will be a thriller with a semifinal berth on the line. Expect high scores, power-packed performances, and match-winning moments from stars like Head, Maxwell, Gurbaz, and Rashid Khan!
🔥 Dream11 Fantasy Players – Lock in Your Winning XI!