Afghanistan Vs Australia: Another legendary ICC chapter will include a restricted contest

“Why don’t we compete in bilateral series if we are playing in the World Cup?”

After Afghanistan’s remarkable victory over Australia at the previous year’s T20 World Cup, Rashid Khan uttered these words and they would have been appropriate for an Indian-Pakistani press conference. This rivalry has existed for years due to border partition, extensive political conflicts, and never ending standoffs, but is only limited to ICC tournaments. However, this does not apply here. After all, there exists no diplomatic tension or historic issues between Australia and Afghanistan.

They are divided by a distance of more than 10,000 kilometers instead of borders that are heavily contested. Despite this, Australia Cricket has refused to play bilateral series with Afghanistan due to the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe and the overall treatment of women and girls by the Taliban. For more Latest Update; Click Here

Afghanistan had Australia in a losing position, until Glenn Maxwell singlehandedly, and in an extraordinary fashion, turned the game around with a double hundred. Afghanistan finally got their chance in Kingstown when they beat Australia in the T20 world cup and this win demonstrated their rising prominence in international cricket. The two teams are set to face each other once again, this time in Lahore for the Champions Trophy, which is bound to be an exhilarating match.

‘Self-belief is infectious’ – Trott on Afghanistan’s growing confidence

The logic is crystal clear: Australia makes it through if they win or if there is no play due to rain. Afghanistan win and they go straight through. In case of rain, Afghanistan’s point tally would go to 3, but they would need a big South African win over England to qualify.

Afghanistan comes into this match with a big boost after beating England here last time. They kept their semifinal hopes alive thanks to Ibrahim Zadran’s record smashing 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s all-round magic That is not the sole reason for their energy. Trott and his ‘infectious self belief’ made it clear that Afghanistan is no longer happy with cricket’s perpetual underdogs story. They have far more self standing now. These conditions in Lahore remind them of the last performance they put in, and if there was ever a chance to face Australia , now is the moment.

For Australia, the equation is different. Even in the absence of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis, they have looked every bit the dominant force. Australia’s historic 352 runs chase against England revealed their batting depth and ability to soak pressure at the ICC stage, but that was a week ago. Their most recent game was rained off, meaning they remain out of the flow of the tournament while Afghanistan, who have hardened in battle, have spent time on the field.

Will it be the fresh legs that prevail in Lahore or the momentum will have its say?

When: South Africa vs England, February 27, 2025, 2:30 PM IST/2:00 PM local

Where: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

What to expect: Since 2022, Lahore has hosted ten ODIs, and chasing teams have managed to win five of them. The average score of the first innings during that period is 300 runs. Australia cruised past England’s 351, and Afghanistan managed to defend their score of 325, but it was much more taut towards the end. There are expectations of some light showers, but everything is expected to clear up during the second half of the match.