Champions Trophy 2024/25, AFG vs ENG 8th Match, Group B Match Preview

The upcoming clash between England and Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy is a must-win for both teams, who have yet to secure a victory in Group B. The match has generated political discussions due to Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, but focus remains on cricket. England faces pressure following recent losses, including a defeat to Australia, while Afghanistan seeks to recover from a 107-run loss to South Africa. Both teams aim to showcase their best performances, with notable players like England’s Ben Duckett and Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan in the spotlight. Despite underlying tensions, the match offers hope and enjoyment amidst challenges.

The Broader Perspective: Political Issues Take a Backseat in Crucial Match

In the tense weeks leading up to this year’s Champions Trophy, the political undertones surrounding the England versus Afghanistan match were inescapable. Nevertheless, despite the backdrop, the focus may indeed shift back to the cricket itself when the teams meet in Lahore on Wednesday, and it promises to be an intriguing encounter.

Addressing the notion of keeping politics out of sports first, this contest has turned into a crucial must-win for the two sides yet to secure a victory in Group B. Australia’s recent match with South Africa ended in a washout, but that changes little for either team; losing in Lahore now means certain elimination instead of depending on complex calculations and net run rates during their upcoming matches.

Before delving into the layers of baggage that have come with this fixture, it’s worth noting the recent riveting on-field stories. Afghanistan’s landmark win in Delhi during the 2023 World Cup is notable. It did not immediately eliminate the 2019 champions, but it certainly highlighted their struggles, revealing a team that appears laborious, hesitant, and perhaps past its prime.

Fast forward eighteen months, and England faces similar challenges, even as they try to reinvent themselves with their white-ball Bazball approach. Their recent five-wicket loss to Australia showcased fine margins, but their inability to defend a substantial score of 351 after a stellar 165 from Ben Duckett highlights an ingrained timidity that persists, irrespective of the positive vibes brought in from Brendon McCullum’s Test team.

Ultimately, would you prefer to be in England’s position – puzzled as to why they can’t perform at their best and, for captain Jos Buttler, aware of the potential fallout from another early exit – or Afghanistan’s – emerging from a dismal showing against South Africa, knowing the only way is up?

Afghanistan’s 107-run defeat in Karachi was marred by poor fielding and a batting collapse inside the first 15 overs. Rahmat Shah displayed resilience with a score of 90 off 92 balls, yet Rashid Khan’s brisk 18 off 13 balls was their second-highest score. After a commendable run to the T20 World Cup semi-finals and four victories in the 2023 World Cup that earned them a spot in the Champions Trophy, this team expects more from themselves.

Enter England, the quintessential opponents for teams seeking extra motivation to elevate their performance.

While protests regarding this fixture have faded recently, discussions around the underlying issues remain relevant as the match approaches. When Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi reached out to the ECB regarding the “sex apartheid” imposed by Afghanistan’s Taliban regime—responsible for banning women’s sports since 2021—she echoed sentiments already felt by many cricket boards, including those of England and Australia, who had vowed to halt bilateral engagements as long as the Taliban remained in power.

Her letter garnered support from a diverse group of 160 British MPs, but UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated that this matter is best left to the ICC as a unified body, rather than individual boards taking unilateral action. This stance marks a significant shift from the situation faced by Nasser Hussain’s 2003 World Cup squad, who were compelled to debate and execute a boycott against Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe amidst similar political tensions.

Moreover, as Buttler emphasized before the match, sport can still serve as “a source of hope and enjoyment” during challenging times. This mirrors the sentiments shared before the 2023 match, where Afghanistan aimed to bring joy to their nation following a devastating earthquake in Herat that claimed thousands of lives. Although the circumstances may differ, the core truth remains: in the face of uncontrollable factors, individuals must strive to do their best and hope it contributes positively.

Form Overview

England: LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Afghanistan: LWWWL

Key Players: Mark Wood and Rashid Khan

From initial impressions, the white-ball Bazball approach appears straightforward: pack the team with sheer pace and overlook finesse. This strategy can be incredibly dynamic on its good days, but such moments have been scarce throughout McCullum’s leadership. Mark Wood’s performance against Australia illustrates this well. He unleashed a ferocious spell during the powerplay, with nearly all deliveries above 150kph, and secured an early key wicket in Steven Smith. However, by the end of Australia’s towering 352-run chase, Glenn Maxwell was able to score freely, fully aware that even slight contact would result in boundaries. Eight out of Wood’s ten ODIs since the start of the 2023 World Cup have been during ICC events, with nine wickets at an average of 58.44 and an economy rate above 6.5, implying that it’s not just Australians who are ready for what he’s set to unleash.

England’s issues with high-quality spin have been ongoing, and few can match Afghanistan’s esteemed leg-spinner Rashid Khan. Despite being recently dethroned from the top of the ICC’s ODI rankings by Maheesh Theekshana due to a lack of matches, he remains a potent threat. Even though he did not take a wicket in Afghanistan’s opening Group B loss to South Africa, he will remember fondly his last encounter with England, where he took 3 for 37 in that memorable World Cup match in Delhi and claimed the final wicket of Mark Wood, sealing a 69-run victory, their first over England in any format. As Adam Zampa demonstrated in Australia’s recent high-scoring win in Lahore, wrist-spinners can be game-changers even in the flattest conditions.

Squad Updates

Brydon Carse was among England’s standout bowlers this winter, but injuries sustained while playing against Australia have sidelined him for the tournament. His seven overs in that match saw him concede runs at just under ten an over. Jamie Overton is expecting to replace him, offering a similar bowling style. If the conditions in Lahore remain consistent with those of the opening match, the lower-order hitting he promisingly showcases could come into play.

England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jamie Smith (wk), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jos Buttler (capt), 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood

Afghanistan’s captain, Hashmatullah Shahidi, suggested that the same XI that faltered against South Africa would take the field in Lahore, which is not surprising considering his astute observation that “the England team struggles a bit against spinners.” They will face a challenge in negotiating 30 overs of top-notch slow bowlers, including Rashid, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad, though they will not have to contend with their chief tormentor from the World Cup, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who is sidelined due to injury and currently not participating in 50-over cricket.

Afghanistan: (possible) 1 Ibrahim Zadran, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Gulbadin Naib, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq Farooqi

Pitch and Conditions Overview

Having gauged Lahore’s run-friendly atmosphere in their tournament opener, England can expect more of the same on a fresh surface. However, the weather might be a bit cooler. Rain has been reported leading up to the match, although it is unlikely to affect play. Nonetheless, the overcast conditions could play into the hands of England’s pace-heavy attack.

Statistics and Facts

England have suffered five consecutive ODI losses, their worst streak since they dropped six in succession during the 2009 home series against Australia. Luckily, they rebounded to make an improbable semi-final appearance shortly after that, albeit they succumbed to Australia, the eventual champions, once again.

Rashid requires just two more wickets to become the first Afghan bowler to achieve 200 ODI wickets.

Duckett, who scored a century in the loss to Australia, is just four runs shy of reaching 1000 in ODIs. Phil Salt is close behind at 968 runs, with Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone both in the 900s as well.

Notable Quotes

“We are cricket players, we are sportspersons, we are sportsmen. Therefore, we control what happens on the field and don’t concern ourselves with off-field matters.”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi addresses the political discussions with clarity

“As captain of England, there’s always a desire to perform well and lead my team to victory. We haven’t achieved that enough lately. However, when negative thoughts creep in, I aim to shift my focus entirely on the positive possibilities and where I can take my team. That’s where my mind is.”
Jos Buttler, captain of England, stays focused on the positives rather than the consequences of a potential early tournament exit

Andrew Miller is the UK editor for ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket