Champions Trophy 2025: Australia in control as spinners strike, Afghanistan eyes comeback

Afghanistan stuns England, Australia remains unchanged, New Zealand and India qualify for semifinals in cricket tournament.

In-form Afghanistan batsman Ibrahim Zadran fell prey to Adam Zampa, while Rahmat Shah was removed by Glenn Maxwell on Friday (February 28, 2025).

After clinching a major win against England in the last match at Lahore, the side is looking to keep the winning momentum on their side.

Also Read | Upbeat Afghanistan plots Australia’s downfall

Earlier, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the coin toss under overcast conditions and elected to bat in Afghanistan’s must-win last Group B game.

Afghanistan made a big turnaround in the tournament when it eliminated England with a stunning eight-run victory at the same venue on Wednesday.

Afghanistan, which lost the first match to South Africa by 107 runs, went with the same playing XI for the third successive game and banked on three spinners — Mohammad Nabi, Noor Ahmad and ace leg-spinner Rashid Khan.

Australia has three points from its record-breaking 352-run chase against England and a point from its washout game against South Africa at Rawalpindi.