AFG vs ENG: Afghanistan’s Playing XI for Champions Trophy 2025 Match Against England
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. They have a tough road to qualify for the semis in the Champions Trophy. If Afghanistan players consistently perform in this tournament they can create history. 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 in the first, he scored only 10 runs in 14 runs. He played 47 ODIs and scored 1779 runs with an impressive average of 38, 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 doesn't make much impact against South Africa with his bat. He has scored 1457 runs in just 34 ODIs with an impressive average of 47, including five 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. He is one of Afghanistan’s most experienced batters. He has scored 3959 runs in 121 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. He has scored 2375 runs in 88 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 doesn't make much impact with his bat against South Africa. He played 87 ODI matches for Afghanistan and he scored 1327 runs with his bat and took 73 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 has scored 925 runs in just 37 ODIs with an impressive average of 44, with one century and seven half-centuries. He has also taken 31 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 in 171 ODIs and scored 3626 runs, including two centuries and 17 fifties, and took 174 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 198 wickets in just 112 ODIs and scored 1364 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 scored 9 runs and took 1 wicket against South Africa. He can trouble the star batter with his amazing spin bowling. He has played 11 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 last match. He has played 39 ODIs and taken 50 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 he may return to this high clash match against England. 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