Afghanistan v Australia: A Cricket Battle Ready for a New Chapter

Cricket is a game full of surprises, and one of the biggest surprises in recent years came when Afghanistan defeated Australia in the T20 World Cup. That victory was a proud moment for Afghanistan, but their star player Rashid Khan had a big question: “If we play in the World Cup, why don’t we play in bilateral series?”

Why Doesn’t Australia Play the Bilateral Series with Afghanistan?

Australia and Afghanistan don’t have a long history of cricket rivalry like India and Pakistan. Join billy777 for more sports news.

They live far apart, more than 10,000 kilometers away, and no significant political conflicts exist between them.

However, Cricket Australia has refused to play Afghanistan in a bilateral series. The reason? They are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, especially the way girls and women are treated.

Even though they don’t play outside ICC tournaments, their matches are always exciting.

One of the most unforgettable games was when Afghanistan almost defeated Australia, but Glenn Maxwell played a fantastic innings and saved his team.

Later, Afghanistan avenged with a historic win in the T20 World Cup. Now, they meet again; this time, it’s even more critical.

The Big Match in Lahore

This match is crucial because it will decide which team reaches the semifinals of the Champions Trophy. The rules are simple:

If Australia wins or if rain stops the match, Australia qualifies.
If Afghanistan wins, they are eligible.
If rain interrupts and Afghanistan gets 3 points, they will need England to beat South Africa significantly.

Afghanistan is feeling confident after a massive win against England. Ibrahim Zadran played 177 brilliant runs, and Azmatullah Omarzai helped with batting and bowling.

Their coach, Jonathan Trott, believes the team has excellent self-belief and is ready to take on Australia.

On the other hand, Australia is always a strong team. Even without big stars like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, they have shown how powerful they are.

Their fantastic chase of 352 runs against England proves they can handle pressure. However, their last match was washed out due to rain, so they haven’t played.

This match will test whether rest helps them or if Afghanistan’s momentum gives them an edge.

Match Details

Date & Time: February 28, 2025, 2:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM Local Time
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Weather: There might be some light rain, but the match is expected to continue without significant issues.

Team Squads

Afghanistan’s Probable XI

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

Australia’s Probable XI

Matthew Short
Travis Head
Steven Smith (c)
Marnus Labuschagne
Josh Inglis (w)
Alex Carey
Glenn Maxwell
Ben Dwarshuis
Nathan Ellis
Adam Zampa
Spencer Johnson

Some Interesting Facts

Afghanistan has never beaten Australia in an ODI.
In the last 5 ODIs played at Gaddafi Stadium, captains have chosen to bat first in 3.
The average first-innings score in Lahore since 2022 has been 300 runs.

What the Players Said

Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s captain, had a strong message: “You think we will come only to play with Maxwell?

Do you think it will be like that? We have planning for all Australian team.” Afghanistan is ready for all Australian players, not just one-star performer.

Who Will Win?

Will Australia prove its strength once again, or will Afghanistan continue its rise in world cricket? This match will be a thrilling battle, and cricket fans worldwide can’t wait to see who comes out on top!