Australia will be up against Afghanistan in their final group game of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The game will be played on Friday (February 28) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
A win for Australia would seal their semifinal spot in the competition. Even if the reigning world champions suffer a shock loss in the upcoming game, they will be in contention for a semifinal spot. However, their fate will depend on the game between South Africa and England.
Australia will not be keen to leave their fate in the hands of other teams and will be looking to win the upcoming game and book their spot in the last four. So as Australia eyes another win over Afghanistan in ODIs, we are taking a look at the Australia Playing 11 for the huge clash.
Australia Playing 11 vs Afghanistan – ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Match 10:
Openers: Matthew Short, Travis Head
The Australia Playing 11 is set to have Matthew Short and Travis Head as the two openers. The opening batsmen began their Champions Trophy campaign in a contrasting fashion.
Short’s campaign started on a good note as he scored a fine fifty. While most of Australia’s top-order batsmen failed to impress, he stood firm at one end and scored 63 runs with the help of 9 fours and a six.
However, his partner Head failed to make a strong start to his campaign. One of the best batsmen in the world at present, the left-handed batsman managed to score only 6 runs before being dismissed by Jofra Archer. He will be eyeing a big score in the upcoming game against Afghanistan.
Middle-order batters and allrounders: Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell
The onus will be on captain Steve Smith to lead his side from the front in the upcoming game. Smith could not do the same in his previous outing against England. The batting superstar could score only 5 runs before being sent back by Mark Wood and will be eyeing a better outing against Afghanistan.
Marnus Labuschagne made useful contributions with both bat and ball. With the ball, he picked up 2 wickets before scoring 47 runs and is expected to retain his spot in the Australia Playing 11.
Josh Inglis and Alex Carey starred with the bat for Australia in their crucial win over England. Australia had their back against the wall when Carey joined Inglis in the middle and the duo went on to share a match-winning partnership of 146 runs for the fifth wicket. Carey departed for 69 runs while Inglis went on to score a fine century and remained unbeaten on 120.
Maxwell had a good game as well. The Australia allrounder picked up the crucial wicket of Jos Buttler. With the bat, he scored an unbeaten 32 off just 15 balls to help his team chase down the big total with ease.
The last time Maxwell faced Afghanistan in an ODI, he had scored a monumental double-century and will be eyeing another impressive outing against the Asian outfit.
Bowlers: Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
The bowling lineup in the Australia Playing 11 is unlikely to be changed after the win over England. Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, and Spencer Johnson are set to be the three pacers in the Australia Playing 11 while Adam Zampa will be leading the spin attack.
Dwarshuis had an impressive outing against England as the pacer claimed 3 wickets. He gave Australia a good start with the ball by taking two wickets inside six overs and will be eyeing a similar display in the upcoming game.
Johnson will be looking to do better from the Australia Playing 11 vs Afghanistan after going wicketless for 54 runs in 7 overs. Ellis went wicketless too but bowled well, conceding only 51 runs in his 10 overs on a flat pitch. Zampa picked up 2 wickets for 64 runs in his 10 overs.