AFG vs AUS: Afghanistan’s Playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025 Match Against Australia

The craze for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy has returned after 8 years, featuring the top 8 teams. Teams are divided into two groups. The matches will be played in Pakistan and UAE. Afghanistan is in Group B along with South Africa, Australia, and England. Afghanistan has made a big statement in cricket. Now, they are aiming to prove themselves in the 50-over game. They made it to the semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup and finished sixth in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Afghanistan has surprised everyone by beating strong teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan qualified for the Champions Trophy for the first time. They lost their first match against South Africa in this tournament. And won the second match against England by 8 runs. Here is the best predicted playing 11 of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI

Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran (Openers)

The 23-year-old wicketkeeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz is an aggressive opener for Afghanistan. But he scored only 10 runs in 14 runs in the first match and 6 runs in 15 balls against England in the second match. He played 48 ODIs and scored 1785 runs with an impressive average of 37, including eight centuries and six half-centuries. He became the first batsman for Afghanistan to score a century on debut in a One Day International. His fearless approach will be crucial in giving the team a strong starts. The right-handed star batter Ibrahim Zadran has been the most dependable top-order batter for Afghanistan. He is the highest top scorer (177) in Champions Trophy history. He has scored 1634 runs in just 35 ODIs with an impressive average of 51, including six centuries and seven fifties. His ability to play long innings and handle pressure makes him a key player for Afghanistan. 

Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (Top Order)

The right-handed star batsman Rahmat Shah played an excellent innings in the first match against South Africa, he scored 90 runs in just 92 balls with his amazing stroke play. But he failed to make an impact against England. He is one of Afghanistan’s most experienced batters. He has scored 3963 runs in 122 ODIs with an average of 35, with five centuries and 31 half-centuries. He can play the long innings and spin very well.

The star skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi recorded a duck against South Africa. And scored 40 runs against England. He has scored 2415 runs in 89 ODIs with an average of 33 including 22 half-centuries. His steady presence at the crease helps stabilize the batting lineup, and his leadership will be key for Afghanistan in this tournament.

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Gulbadin Naib & Azmatullah Omarzai (Middle Order)

The 33-year-old Gulbadin Naib is an experienced all-rounder in the Afghanistan squad. But he didn't make much impact with his bat against South Africa and England but took important wickets. He played 88 ODI matches for Afghanistan and he scored 1328 runs with his bat and took 74 wickets. His aggressive batting style and medium-pace bowling make him a strong player in the squad.

The young and talented all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai is a key player who can contribute with both bat and ball. He scored 18 runs and took 1 wicket against South Africa. He scored 41 runs against England and took a five-wicket haul. He has scored 966 runs in just 38 ODIs with an impressive average of 44, with one century and seven half-centuries. He has also taken 36 wickets with the ball. 

Mohammad Nabi & Rashid Khan(All-Rounders) 

Mohammad Nabi is an attacking batting all-rounder with vast experience in international cricket. He took 2 wickets and scored 8 runs against South Africa. He played a key role against England, he scored 40 runs and took two wickets. He played in 172 ODIs and scored 3666 runs, including two centuries and 17 fifties, and took 176 wickets. He has the ability to finish the game with his batting in the middle order. 

The well-known star Rashid Khan is Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner. He played a cameo role with his bat by scoring 18 runs in just 13 balls against South Africa. He has taken 199 wickets in just 113 ODIs and scored 1365 runs, including five fifties. With his sharp leg-spin and aggressive batting, Rashid is a game-changer for Afghanistan. He was the leading wicket-taker in T20s with his excellent bowling skills. 

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Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi & Farid Malik (Bowlers)

The 20-year-old young and talented left-arm spinner Noor Ahmad was the key player for Afghanistan. He took 1 wicket against South Africa and England. He can trouble the star batter with his amazing spin bowling. He has played 12 ODIs and picked up 10 wickets. Fazalhaq Farooqi is Afghanistan’s most reliable pacer in this squad. He bowled economically well and took 1 wicket against South Africa and England. He has played 41 ODIs and taken 52 wickets with excellent bowling skills. He can swing the ball on both sides and his variations can trouble the batters. 

The left-arm medium-pace Farid Malik didn't play the first match against South Africa and England he may return to this high clash match against Australia. He is known for his ability to generate swing and bowl in the death overs. He played 19 ODIs and took 25 wickets. His control of the ball and variations make him a good option in the bowling lineup for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s Predicted Playing XI:

Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik

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