England vs Afghanistan Champions Trophy 2025 Match Preview and Predictions

Image credits: Source Link

The Champions Trophy 2025 has reached a critical stage, with England and Afghanistan set to face each other in a must-win match at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both teams have suffered heavy defeats in their opening games, and the loser of this match will be eliminated from the tournament. England's batting effort was chased down by Australia with ease, while Afghanistan's bowlers underperformed against South Africa. The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having a lot to prove.

The last time these two teams met, Afghanistan shocked England by winning by a comfortable 69-run margin in the ODI World Cup. However, this time around, England have the edge, albeit a marginal one, due to the placid conditions on offer in Lahore. They also have the extra pace in the bowling line-up, which could rattle Afghanistan's batting unit. The dew is expected to play a factor in the match, and if it doesn't, the contest could be a lot closer, particularly if Afghanistan put enough runs on the board batting first.

The teams are expected to make some changes to their line-ups, with Afghanistan likely to bring in Mujeeb-ur-Rahman in place of Noor Ahmad, and England set to replace the injured Brydon Carse with Jamie Overton. The match is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM IST, and the toss will take place at 2:00 PM IST. The average first innings total in the nine ODIs played at the Gaddafi Stadium since 2022 has been 297, and with the recent tri-series featuring Pakistan, New Zealand, and South Africa seeing big scores, this match is expected to be a high-scoring affair. Some key statistics to note are:

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz has made five ODI hundreds since 2023
• Jos Buttler's average in ICC ODI events is only 25.82 from 31 innings, with just four fifties
• Rashid Khan's ODI career numbers are impressive, but his numbers in ICC ODI events are contrasting, with only 17 wickets at an average of 50.76 and economy of 5.12

The Champions Trophy 2025 has been an exciting tournament so far, with some thrilling matches and unexpected results. The England vs Afghanistan match is expected to be another closely contested game, with both teams giving it their all to stay in the tournament. The pace of the game is expected to be high, with both teams looking to score quickly and put pressure on the opposition. The spin attack of Afghanistan will be crucial in controlling the England batting line-up, and if they can put enough runs on the board, they might just be able to pull off an upset.

In conclusion, the England vs Afghanistan match is a must-win game for both teams, and the loser will be eliminated from the tournament. The match is expected to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams looking to score quickly and put pressure on the opposition. The teams are expected to make some changes to their line-ups, and the dew is expected to play a factor in the match. With the average first innings total in the nine ODIs played at the Gaddafi Stadium since 2022 being 297, this match is expected to be a thrilling contest.