Afghanistan vs England (Champions Trophy) match no. 8 is set to take place on February 26, 2025, at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan. Both teams are under pressure after their recent losses and will be looking to bounce back in this crucial Group B encounter. England’s explosive batting line-up will face off against Afghanistan’s world-class spin attack, making this an exciting contest.
Check out the full match preview, including Dream11 tips, pitch report, match time, and live streaming details.
Match Details
- Teams: Afghanistan vs England
- Date: February 26, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM IST | 2:00 PM PKT | 9:00 AM GMT
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
- Match Number: 8th match of ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Pitch Report – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The Gaddafi Stadium has historically provided a balanced pitch, favouring both batsmen and bowlers at different stages of the match.
Key Pitch Insights:
✔ Average First Innings Score: 254–263 runs
✔ Batting-Friendly Surface: The pitch allows stroke play, with batters who settle in being able to score big.
✔ Pacers’ Early Assistance: Fast bowlers can generate swing in the first 10 overs.
✔ Spinners to Dominate in Middle Overs: As the match progresses, spinners will come into play, extracting grip and turn from the surface.
✔ Dew Factor: Could be a challenge for bowlers in the second innings, favouring the chasing team.
Toss Prediction: Teams might prefer to bowl first, considering the dew effect under lights.
Squads for Both Teams
Afghanistan Squad:
🏏 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), 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
England Squad:
🏏 Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (w), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Saqib Mahmood, Tom Banton, Gus Atkinson
Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Top Picks & Strategy
For your Dream11 fantasy team, focus on players who can exploit the conditions and perform consistently.
Key Players to Consider
🏏 Wicketkeepers:
- Jos Buttler (ENG) (VC) – England’s captain, a destructive batter, and a safe pick behind the stumps.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG) – Afghanistan’s aggressive opener, capable of making the most of the powerplay.
🏏 Batters:
- Ben Duckett (ENG) (C) – In fantastic form with a recent 165-run knock vs Australia. Could be a game-changer.
- Joe Root (ENG) – Mr. Consistent with over 6700 ODI runs.
- Rahmat Shah (AFG) – Afghanistan’s best anchor; recently scored 90 against South Africa.
🏏 All-Rounders:
- Mohammad Nabi (AFG) – Can contribute with both bat and ball, making him a solid fantasy pick.
- Liam Livingstone (ENG) – Explosive batting with the ability to bowl crucial spin overs.
- Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG) – A handy all-rounder, capable of contributing in both departments.
🏏 Bowlers:
- Rashid Khan (AFG) – Afghanistan’s best bowler, deadly in the middle overs. A top captaincy pick.
- Jofra Archer (ENG) – England’s pace spearhead, likely to trouble Afghanistan’s top order.
- Adil Rashid (ENG) – A key leg-spinner who can thrive in Lahore’s conditions.
- Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG) – Could get early swing and strike in the powerplay.
Suggested Dream11 Team for Afghanistan vs England
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Jos Buttler (VC), Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Batters | Ben Duckett (C), Joe Root, Rahmat Shah |
| All-Rounders | Mohammad Nabi, Liam Livingstone |
| Bowlers | Rashid Khan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Fazalhaq Farooqi |
Strategy & Captain/Vice-Captain Choices:
✔ Captain: Ben Duckett (form and recent performance make him a great choice)
✔ Vice-Captain: Jos Buttler (dependable and explosive in big matches)
✔ Alternative Picks: Rashid Khan (for spin-friendly conditions), Jofra Archer (for early breakthroughs)
Tip: If Afghanistan bats first, prioritize top-order batsmen. If England bowls first, select more bowlers.
Match Context – Must-Win Game for Both Sides
- Afghanistan lost their last game to South Africa by 107 runs, struggling against pace and bounce.
- England failed to defend 351 runs against Australia, exposing their bowling vulnerabilities.
- A loss here could eliminate either team from the tournament, making this a do-or-die encounter.
England’s batting firepower makes them favourites, but Afghanistan’s spin attack can cause an upset if they bowl first and restrict England’s aggressive batters.
Live Streaming & Telecast Details
Where to Watch Afghanistan vs England (Champions Trophy 2025) Live?
📺 TV Broadcast (India):
- Star Sports Network (Star Sports 2 HD/SD – English, Sports 18 1 HD/SD – Hindi)
📱 Live Streaming:
- JioHotstar (India) – Available in multiple languages
- ATN (Afghanistan) – TV
- ICC.tv (Afghanistan Streaming)
- Sky Sports (England – TV & Streaming)
🌍 Global Streaming: ICC’s official website will provide region-wise broadcaster details.
Weather Report – Lahore, 26 Feb 2025
🌤 Weather: Cloudy, with a high of 25°C
💧 Humidity: 41%
🌧 Rain Probability: 7% (unlikely to disrupt play)
💨 Wind Speed: 17 km/h (south-southeast)
Dew could impact the second innings, making bowling difficult under lights. Teams winning the toss might prefer to chase.
Final Thoughts – Who Will Win?
This match is a must-win for both teams. England has the edge with their strong batting line-up, but Afghanistan’s spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, could turn the tables if conditions favour slower bowlers. If Afghanistan bats first and posts 250+, they have a genuine chance to defend it with spin.
Expect a thrilling contest, with England slightly ahead on paper but Afghanistan capable of pulling off an upset!