Afghanistan vs England ICC Champions Trophy, 2025

Swing and a miss! A dot to end proceedings but Afghanistan have done a stellar job here. Liam Livingstone gives it a real rip and bowls it a shade fuller on middle and leg. Gulbadin Naib goes down on one knee, looking to swing it away but is beaten in the flight. Afghanistan finish with 325/7 on the board!

Flighted up around off, Rashid Khan sits down and swings across the line but gets a top edge fine of short third for a single.

Rashid Khan comes out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gets another one does Liam Livingstone! Bowls this one short on middle and gets this one to just grip. Mohammad Nabi hangs deep in the crease and goes hard at the pull but skews it high up in the air towards long on. Joe Root settles himself under the ball and pouches it safely. End of a fine cameo by Nabi as he perishes for 40 off 24 balls.

On a dragged length and at the stumps, heaved away down to long on for just a single. Good over so far from Liam.

Tossed up, very full and on leg, Gulbadin Naib goes hard at the slog sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Gulbadin Naib comes out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Had to go for it did Ibrahim Zadran but he holds out and that is the end of one of the finest ODI knocks in recent times, take a bow Zadran. Liam Livingstone bowls the leg break and tosses the ball up on the pads, Zadran sits down and sweeps it high towards deep square Jofra Archer just settles inside the ropes and takes a reverse cup catch. Zadran departs for 177 off just 146 balls and he is put his side in a commanding position.

Who will bowl the final over? It is Liam Livingstone who will bowl it. He is having a long conversation with the skipper Jos Buttler and Adil Rashid.

Full and on off, gets the yorker right, Zadran squeezes it down to short third for a quick single. This time, Ben Duckett opts not to fire in a throw and rightly so.

SIX! That has been brutally put away! Full and wide, right in the slot, Ibrahim Zadran backs away and opens up the arms before smashing it straight back down the ground for a biggie.

Full and straight, Ibrahim Zadran can't get underneath it and toe-ends it down to long on for a couple of runs more.

WIDE! Tight call! Full and wide, flirting with the tramline, Zadran leaves it alone and a wide is called.

Goes full and attacks the pads, nails it in the blockhole, Nabi can't get it away and the ball thuds his pads to roll away behind square leg. They get a leg bye.

Another overthrow! Short of a length and bowled wide of the off stump, Nabi dabs it towards cover for a single and with no one backing up, Jos Buttler throws it wide of the stumps at the bowler's end, allowing an extra run. 100 runs for this partnership also comes up with this a couple of runs.

Nails the wide yorker now, Zadran can only drive it away down to long off for a single.

Who will bowl the penultimate over of the inning? It is Jamie Overton who will bowl out here.

Oh, that's rattled Mohammad Nabi! A well-directed bumper from Archer, at around 136 clicks and angled in towards the helmet. Nabi is late on the pull and the ball goes flush onto the grill. A mandatory concussion check will now follow and the physio is out to have a look. After a couple of minutes, everything seems fine and we can continue.

Full and around off, gets the length right, Zadran hits it through extra cover for a single.

SIX! Oh, that is a sight to withhold! Another slower one, pitched up on middle, Ibrahim Zadran crouches just a bit and just hits through the line and over long on for a biggie. This is now the highest individual score of this tournament and also the highest individual ODI score by and Afghan batter.

In the air, lands safely! Back-of-the-hand slower ball, dug in well short and well outside off, Mohammad Nabi really reaches for it and cuts it over the point region for a single.

Pitched up on the pads, there to be put away but Zadran clips it uppishly and straight towards deep mid-wicket for one more.

Bowls it full and angles it in at the toes, Nabi hangs back and heaves it off the inside edge down to deep backward square leg for one. The 300 is up for Afghanistan!

Back to around the stumps, bowled full and on leg, Zadran gets inside the line and laps it down to fine leg for a couple of more runs.

FOUR MORE! 21 off the over with a ball to go! Floated up, full and outside off, Zadran creams the low full toss and gets it wide enough of long off for a boundary.

Over the wicket now, darted in full and straight, drilled down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Oh, dear! Another misfield and England are crumbling under pressure here. This is bowled full and angled across off, Nabi squeezes it towards backward point but Ben Duckett lets it through his hands for a boundary.

SIX! Through the hands! Bowled a bit short and over middle, Mohammad Nabi picks it up and swats it flat and towards deep mid-wicket where Phil Salt leaps up and the ball bursts through his hands for another six.

SIX! Swung away over the ropes! Bowled from around the wicket, in the slot and on middle and leg, Mohammad Nabi is quick to just walk across to the off side and smokes it over cow corner for a biggie.

A change from England as they have brought Joe Root back to bowl the 47th over of the inning. Root has come back to fulfill the quota of Mark Wood as he isn't going to come back.

Full and straight, right in the blockhole, Zadran just jams it down through wide mid on and sprints for the second run. A fumble in the deep from Joe Root makes Zadran's job that much easier. No boundaries but still 10 more from that over.

Banged in short and over middle, Nabi firms the pull but straight to deep square leg for one more.

Liam Livingstone is gone off the field now. He was seen limping as his right knee doesn't look good here. Another concern for England. They can't afford to have these number of injuries as they are playing their must-win game.

Hard length around off, punched away through covers for a single this time.

Another brace for Ibrahim Zadran and he now brings up his 150, what a knock this is turning out to be! Short of a length and at the batter, Zadran with a short-arm jab and wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Goes full and angles this one into the legs, Zadran just jams it out through mid on and sprints back for the second run. Liam Livingstone is the one who rushes in from long on but just pulls up and it is his right knee that gets jarred here. Everything going wrong at the moment for England.

Good length on off and middle, Zadran stays back and tucks it away around the corner for a couple of runs.

Jamie Overton comes back into the attack.

Quicker one, out of the front of the hand and outside off, hit away to deep cover for a single. 10 off the over!

Floated up on the stumps, Nabi goes for the heave but miscues it and lofts the ball down to long on for a single.

Bowled full and around off, Zadran drives it down to long off for one more.

Into the pitch and outside off, carved away off the back foot, up and over covers. Jofra Archer runs to his right and keeps it down to a single though.

SIX! Just over! Afghanistan going for broke here! Fractionally short on leg, Mohammad Nabi rocks back top pull but hits it flat and in front of deep mid-wicket. Phil Salt there leaps up but the ball evades him and goes over the ropes. The 50-run stand is already up between these two.

Dropped just short and around off, Nabi rocks back and punches it down to point.

Adil Rashid comes back for his final over.

FOUR! Unreal batting from Ibrahim Zadran and he picks up 20 off that over! Full and wide, pace-on this time, Ibrahim Zadran stays back and just creams the ball behind square on the off side yet again for a boundary.

FOUR! Stellar timing from Zadran again and he is ripping Archer to shreds! The back-of-the-hand slower ball now, floated up outside off, Zadran waits well on the back foot and slaps it well behind point for another boundary.

FOUR! Archer misses his mark again and Zadran picks up four more runs. Quick and full, turns out to be a knee-height full toss on off, Zadran waits back well again and uses the pace on the ball to just glide it behind point for a boundary.

Slower one, banged into the pitch and pushed wide of off, Zadran goes after it and thrashes it over the point region for a couple of more runs.

Pace-on, goes full and bowls it around off, Zadran drives it straight to covers.

SIX! BANG! Poor delivery from Archer, slower one, right in the slot on middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran waits for it and clears the front leg before belting it over wide long on for a 92-meter biggie.

Mark Wood is going off from the field. He is seen limping there as his left knee doesn't look good. Rehan Ahmed is his substitute player. Jofra Archer comes back into the attack as well.

Hard-length delivery, slanted back in at 148.6 clicks, Zadran pats it down through mid on for one and looks for two but the fielder in the deep is quick to cut it off. Unfortunately, Mark Wood is walking off the field again.

Wood is struggling a bit more here. He is fine to bowl this final ball of the over but doesn't think, he will be able to continue more and will complete his full quota of overs today.

Risky running but good enough! Good length angled in from around middle, Nabi dabs it down late and to the left of point before scampering through for a single. The throw at the keeper's end is a wide one from Harry Brook.

Slower one, on a hard length and outside off, edged away down to deep third for just a single.

FOUR! What a shot yet again from Ibrahim Zadran! Backs away to a full and straight delivery, coming in at over 146 clicks and keeps a stable base before swatting it back over the bowler's head for a one-bounce boundary.

Banged in on a hard length at 143.8 clicks and angled into middle, Nabi gets cramped but jams it down to the off side for a quick single.

Hurled in just back of a length and around off, Zadran lets the ball come on and guides it down to deep third for a single.

Mark Wood comes back into the attack.

A dot to end but 10 runs off it! Hard length on middle, cramps the batter for room and Nabi just blocks it off.

FOUR! Nicely played! Banged in halfway down the pitch and wide outside off, Mohammad Nabi gets up on his toes and carves it behind deep backward point for a boundary.

Oh, unnecessary from Ben Duckett! Slower one, bowled around the top of off, Nabi hangs back and dabs it down behind point for one. Duckett attacks the ball and tries to keep Nabi on his toes and fires in a wide throw at the bowler's end, allowing the batters an extra run.

Goes full and wide now, slower but in the blockhole, Zadran jams it out into the off side for an easy single.

Slower one, back of a length and angled in at the hips, nudged away down to fine leg for a single.

WIDE! Banged in well short but angling just down leg, Mohammad Nabi looks to pull but misses and there's a stifled appeal for caught behind from the bowler as well.

Oh, could Archer have gone in for the catch? Banged in a bit short and at the body, Ibrahim Zadran gets inside the line and crouches before pulling it flat towards deep square leg. Archer opts to collect it on the bounce and replays suggest, he could have put in the dive. Just the single then.

Drifted down the leg side, on a good length, Zadran nudges it around the corner for one more.

Pushed through flatter and outside off, eased away through the cover-point region for one more.

Beaten! Nicely flighted, on a nagging length around off and this one dips as well. Nabi looks to lean on and block but is beaten.

Drags the length back, bowling it flat on middle, Mohammad Nabi punches it away to silly mid on.

Tossed up, full and outside off, driven away along the ground to long off for a single.

Looking for two and they will get it with ease. Drifted into the legs, Ibrahim Zadran leans forward and works it away through the open space at mid-wicket and picks up a brae.

Mohammad Nabi walks out to bat next. Also, with just 10 overs remaining, England will now be allowed as many as 5 fielders outside the inner circle.

OUT! CAUGHT! GONE! Jamie Overton breaks the partnership for England as he bowls it on a good length, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai makes room and looks to pull it but gets it through the cue end of the bat. The ball goes flat in the air towards long on and he doesn't get the desired elevation. The sub fielder Tom Banton moves to his right a bit and extends his arms to take it with both hands. Afghanistan are 212/5.

Hard length, around middle, Ibrahim Zadran comes down the track and pulls it down to long on for a single.

Back of a length, around off, Zadran opens the face of the bat and looks to guide it but straight to short third man for no run.

Bangs in short of a length, around middle, Ibrahim Zadran swivels on his toes and looks to pull it but misses.

Slower again but on the pads this time, Omarzai uses his wrists to turn it towards deep fine leg for a single.

BEATEN! Slower length ball, outside off, stays a bit low as well, Azmatullah Omarzai throws his hands at it and looks to cut it with no feet movement and he gets beaten on the outside edge.

Drops it short, and around off, Omarzai goes back and pushes it to long off for a single.

Fuller again, around middle, Azmatullah Omarzai makes room and looks to drive it but gets it through the inner half of the bat back to the bowler who tries to stop it and gets a hand on it as the ball goes and hits the stumps at the non-striker's end. Rashid makes a mild appeal but the umpire shakes his head.

Floated up, around leg, Omarzai opens up and blocks it off.

Tossed up, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai comes forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Similar length and around middle, Ibrahim Zadran uses his feet and pushes it to long on for a single.

Nagging length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran nudges it to mid-wicket.

Adil Rashid (7-0-43-1) is back into the attack.

On a good length, around off, Zadran opens the face of the bat and guides it to deep third man for a single. 18 off it.

FOUR! GLORIOUS! A SIGHT TO WATCH! Lands it fuller now and in the slot, around off, Ibrahim Zadran comes forward and drives it in the gap towards extra cover for a boundary.

Bangs in short of a length, around middle, angling into the body, Ibrahim Zadran stays low and pulls it towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

A bit of a halt in play as that ball from Mark Wood has gone through and hit Azmatullah Omarzai flush on the right boot, actually to the side of the boot and he seems hurt. The physio comes out and applies a bit of magic spray before Azmat is back up and ready to go.

Leg bye! A good comeback by Wood as he bowls a yorker, seaming in, around middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai makes room a bit and looks to flick it but misses and gets hit on the back foot. He runs in for a single for leg bye as the ball rolls away towards square leg.

SIX! WOW! WHAT A SHOT! Wood hits the deck hard and bowls a short-of-a-length ball, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai uses his feet and thumps it like a tennis ball shot down the ground for a biggie. Afghanistan is on a roll here as 200 comes up with this maximum.

FOUR! AGGRESSION NOW! Back of a length and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and just lofts it with his hands with no foot movement. He doesn't time it well but gets enough bat on it to clear mid off for a boundary.

Keeps it shorter around middle, Azmatullah Omarzai goes back and drops it down to long on for a single. 50 runs for this partnership also comes up with this run.

Nagging length and around off, Omarzai looks to cut but misses.

SIX! THUMPED! Floated up, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai plants out his front leg forward and thumps it over long off for a biggie.

IBRAHIM ZADRAN COMPLETES HIS HUNDRED! WHAT AN INNING AND WHAT A PLAYER! Tossed up by Liam Livingstone around middle, Ibrahim Zadran comes forward and clips it wide of mid-wicket for a single to get to his milestone, his 6th ODI ton as well and the first-ever by an Afghan player in the ICC Champions Trophy. He has played a sensible knock under pressure in their must-win match and has kept Afghanistan's hopes alive here. He will need to bat through to make it big and give his team a good score on this pitch.

Drops it short and outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai stands tall and lofts it over cover for a single.

Much fuller, around middle, Ibrahim Zadran comes forward and pushes it to long off for a single. He moves to 99 now.

Lands it fuller and outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai lunges and drives it hard in the gap towards extra cover for a couple of runs.

On a good length and touch outside off, Zadran opens the face of the bat and steers it to deep third man for a single. Moves to 98.

Pitched up, too fuller, around middle, Ibrahim Zadran leans on and drives it down the ground for a couple of runs. Moves to 97.

Lands it full, around off, with pace, Omarzai drives it wide of cover for a single.

A bit slower and on a good length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran opens the face of the bat and guides it to deep third man for a single.

Full and well outside off, Azmatullah Omarzai extends his arms and drills it to sweeper cover for a single. He slips out in the process of contact but completes the run.

Fuller around middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai drills this to long on for a single to end the over.

Floated around off, Ibrahim Zadran drives this past cover to his right for one.

Too full around off, Ibrahim Zadran drives this to extra cover for no run.

Floated around off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes this to the left of cover for one.

Too full around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this towards sweeper cover for one.

Tossed up around off, Azmatullah Omarzai guides this to the right of point for one.

Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran pokes at it but gets beaten.

Back of a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this towards off for no run. It's been an excellent over from Wood so far.

Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran slices this towards deep point for two.

Full toss around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this to mid off for no run.

Hits the hard length, around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this back to the bowler. Wood doesn't look at his 100 percent but he is putting in a commendable effort.

Drinks break! This has been an excellent recovery from Afghanistan after losing 3 wickets inside the first 10 overs and Ibrahim Zadran is nearing a fine century. They still need a score of 300 or somewhere about that as the pitch is good and England have plenty of big hitters. With 17 overs still remaining, Ibrahim will play a crucial role in how this inning will eventually pan out. A couple of wickets for England before 40 overs and they will have a chance to really put on the squeeze. Also, Mark Wood is finally back into the attack. Let's see how it goes...

Just short of a good length and around off, Azmatullah Omarzai stays upright and keeps it down on the off side.

Good length on off, Ibrahim Zadran guides this through backward point for one.

WIDE! Bumper, down the leg, Ibrahim Zadran leaves it. Wided.

Slower one, pitched short around off. Ibrahim Zadran leaves it.

Pitched-up around leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through mid-wicket and takes a couple.

Good length around off, Azmatullah Omarzai flicks this away for one more.

Back of a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to cut this but gets it off the inner half of the bat and towards off for one.

SIX! AZMAT GOES BIG! Tossed up around middle and leg, Azmatullah Omarzai was up for it and he slogs this right out of the middle of his bat and clears the fence with ease towards the cow corner. A huge six to end the over.

Tossed up around off, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this towards cover and takes one.

Short of a length around off, Azmatullah Omarzai hops back and punches this to long on for one.

Full and on off, Ibrahim Zadran drills this down the ground for one.

Tossed up around off, Azmatullah Omarzai drives this to wide long off for one.

Wrong'un around off, Azmatullah Omarzai gets right on top of it and jams it out.

Good length around off, Knuckleball from Archer. Azmatullah Omarzai smashes this to sweeper cover for one.

On a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran cuts this to deep third for another single.

On a length around off, Azmatullah Omarzai drives this through cover for one.

WIDE! Effort delivery, a bit too high for the umpire's liking. Wided.

Back of a length, into the body. Ibrahim Zadran punches this off his back foot through mid on for one.

On a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to drives this through cover but finds the fielder instead.

Back of a length around off, Azmatullah Omarzai punches this away in the gap on off for one.

Mark Wood is available to bowl now but instead, Jos Buttler brings Jofra Archer back into the attack.

Floated up, around off, Omarzai comes forward and pushes it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, around off, Zadran comes forward and drills it to long off for a single.

Short, turns in, around off, Azmatullah Omarzai pushes it wide of cover off the back foot for a single.

Azmatullah Omarzai is the new batter in.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! ADIL RASHID BREAKS THE PARTNERSHIP! He pushes it through at 84 clicks, flatter, fuller around middle, and gets some drift off the surface, Hashmatullah Shahidi changes his stance and looks to reverse sweep it but misses the line of the ball. The ball sneaks through the gap between pad and bat and dislodges the off stump. A timely breakthrough for England whereas a well-settled partnership gets broken for Afghanistan just when they started to look in command. Afghanistan are 140/4.

Nagging length and touch outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi opens the face of the bat and guides it to short third man.

Drops it short, slower, around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches it to sweeper cover off the back foot for a single.

Adil Rashid (5-0-29-0) is back on.

Fuller, around middle and leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi uses his feet and drills it back to the bowler.

Slower through the air, around middle, Shahidi leans on and blocks it off.

Floated up, but on the pads, Zadran lunges and uses his wrists to turn it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Drags his length, around off, Shahidi pushes it wide of cover for a single off the back foot.

FOUR! ITS SKIPPER TIME NOW! Tossed up by Root around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and lofts it inside out over cover for a boundary.

Nagging length, around off, Shahidi drops it down to mid on.

FOUR! ANOTHER BOUNDARY! 16 OFF IT! Overton again hits the deck hard with a back-of-a-length ball, around middle, Ibrahim Zadran just presses back and extends his arms to drag it with pull shot to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Hard length, around middle, Ibrahim Zadran swivels on his toe and pulls it with ease towards deep square leg Liam Livingstone runs into his left and makes a dive to save the boundary. The batters run through for a couple.

Similar length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran drives it but straight back to the bowler.

On a good length, around off, Zadran defend it to cover.

FOUR! PURE TIMING ON THAT ONE! Overton overcorrects his length by bowling in the slot, fuller on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran shifts his weight to the front foot and times his flick shot towards mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! WOW! QUITE AN AUTHORITATIVE SHOT THAT IS! He is expecting that back of a length, around off, so Ibrahim Zadran makes room a bit and thumps it over long off for a flat biggie.

Naaging length, coming in with the angle, around middle, and leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi makes room and looks to push it to long on. Joe Root moves to his left and cuts it off.

Fuller, almost a yorker, around leg, Ibrahim Zadran makes room and drills it to long on for a single.

Much slower and on the nagging length, around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi cuts it hard to cover point who makes a fumble there and the batters run for a single.

CHEEKY! Floated up, around leg, Ibrahim Zadran goes on his knee and scoops it towards fine leg for a single.

Dragged length, around off, Shahidi taps it wide of cover and runs off for a quick single.

Tossed up, from around the wicket, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran uses his feet and flicks it off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

Bangs in short of a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets hurried by the pace as he looks to pull it but still goes for that shot and manages to keep it down to deep backward square leg for a single.

Back of a length, around middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran stands tall and plays a shot arm jab over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Fuller around off, Shahidi comes forward and pushes it wide of mid off for a quick single.

BEATEN! Hard length, from around the wicket, just outside off, Hashmatullah Shahidi walks down the track and looks to slog it but misses.

On a good length and touch outside off, Ibrahim Zadran guides it to deep third man for a single.

FOUR! WHAT A SIGHT TO WATCH! Overton goes fuller, around middle, right in the slot, Ibrahim Zadran just takes out his front leg forward and shows the full face of the bat to loft it over the head of the bowler for a boundary. TOO GOOD OF A SHOT!

Darted on the pads, HS looks to flick this on leg but gets it off the leading edge, dropping in front of Root.

Too full around middle and leg, Shahidi moves to his leg and drills this to cover for no run.

Full and around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi drives this to cover for no run.

Floated wide of off, Hashmatullah Shahidi goes for the cut but misses.

FOUR! Not the most convincing stroke from the Afghanistan skipper but an effective one. Tossed up around middle and leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi gets on top of the bounce and slogs this over mid on for four. This was hit off the bottom but with enough power to loft this mid on fielder. 100 comes up for Afghanistan with this boundary.

Fuller arond middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Short of a length around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi cuts this to backward point for no run.

Floated on the pads, Hashmatullah Shahidi flicks this towards leg for no run.

Fuller around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks this through mid on for one.

Fuller around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi flicks this to mid on and takes one.

A gentle full toss around the knee on off for Zadran from Liam Livingstone and the batter punches this to long on for a single. Ibrahim Zadran completes his FIFTY with this run and is playing a good knock in a recovery of Afghanistan as he is building a good partnership with the skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Full and on off, Hashmatullah Shahidi rolls this to long off for one.

Pinned on 49 is Zadran. Tossed up around off, Ibrahim Zadran shimmies down the track and hammers this back to the bowler. Joe Root gets both hands to it and fields this.

Tossed up around leg, Ibrahim Zadran thumps this on the bounce back to the bowler.

Too full, on leg, Ibrahim Zadran pushes this to mid-wicket for no run.

Darted on the pads, Ibrahim Zadran gently tickles this off his bat towards fine leg for two.

Too full around middle and leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi runs down the track and thumps this towards Root who misfields this and allows a single.

Flatter around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi cuts this towards point for no run.

FOUR! A freebie to end the over and Zadran takes advantage of it. Tossed up arond leg, Ibrahim Zadran gets low on his knee and just dabs this fine and wide to the right of short fine leg for four.

Too full around middle and leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi moves away to his leg and rolls this through cover for one. 50 runs for this partnership also comes up with this single.

Quicker and flatter around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi defends this off his front foot.

First signs of aggression from Shahidi. Tossed up around leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi shimmies down the leg and goes for a wild slog. The ball rolls off the inside edge and through square leg for two.

Quicker and flatter around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi punches this towards off.

Darted around leg, Hashmatullah backs off and punches this back to the bowler.

More spin now as Liam Livingstone comes into the attack.

Fuller around leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi drills this to mid on and sneaks in a quick single.

Too full around leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi looks to tuck this away in the gap on leg but gets it off the inside and towards Root's left for no run.

Floated around middle and off, Hashmatullah Shahidi blocks it out.

Fuller around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran flicks this through square leg for one.

Tossed up around middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran tucks this towards leg for no run.

Fuller around middle and off, Hashmatullah Shahidi drives this to long off for one.

Comes around the wicket now and angles it onto the pads, Shahidi goes on the back foot and works it down to fine leg for a four straight single.

Bowled flatter and at the stumps, Zadran works it away in front of mid-wicket and keeps picking up the singles.

On a dragged length and on leg, Shahidi plays it off the back foot and down to long on for a run.

Tossed up, quite full and around off, Zadran just punches it away down to long off and picks up a single right after the boundary.

SIX! Ibrahim Zadran breaks the shackles and picks the right ball to do it as well. Tossed up at just 80 clicks and around off, Zadran skips down the track and gets to the pitch of the ball before hammering it over long off for a biggie, the second of the game.

On a nagging length around middle and leg, Zadran stays leg side of the ball and defends it out.

Floated up at the stumps, Hashmatullah Shahidi tries to come down the pitch but adjusts and blocks it off.

Flatter trajectory, angling it in at the stumps, Shahidi fails to get it away.

Bowled full and around middle, Ibrahim Zadran takes the front leg out and drives it to the left of the bowler and picks up a single.

Quick and flat around leg, flicked across to mid-wicket for another dot ball.

Flighted up on leg, Ibrahim Zadran makes room and jams it back to the right of the bowler who dives across and parries it away to mid on.

A round-arm delivery from around the wicket, bowled full and on middle, Shahidi drives it away through covers for one.

Mark Wood has returned to the field after briefly exiting due to left knee discomfort suffered while bowling during the first Powerplay. Joe Root comes into the attack.

Flatter one, pushed through on middle, Zadran jams it out to mid on. Also, the visuals show that Mark Wood is coming back out to the middle. Positive signs these for England but he can't bowl straight away and will have to wait the amount of time he was off the field.

These two playing Rashid with quite ease at the moment. Shortish length, drifted into the pads, Zadran rocks back and tucks it away in between deep mid-wicket and long on for a couple of runs.

One more now as Hashmatullah Shahidi punches the slower and shorter delivery down to long on.

Tossed up on leg, Ibrahim Zadran steps down the track and hits it down to long on for a single.

Floated up again, around off, Zadran taps it away in front of covers now.

Nicely flighted, on off and middle, inviting the drive, Zadran is late on it and hits it straight to silly mid off.

Stays over the wicket for the left-hander this time and angles it just across off on a hard length, Shahidi leans back a bit and angles it away down to backward point.

Short of a length and outside off, Zadran gets up straight and smacks it hard through covers for just a single.

On a fuller length and outside off, Shahidi caresses it on the up and hits it square through the off side for another single. Afghanistan just starting to tick along now.

An off-cutter now, bowled into the pitch and angled into the batter, Zadran gets on his toes and nudges it down past point for a run.

Back of a length around off, angling in, Hashmatullah Shahidi leans back and flails the ball away off the outer half of the blade and down to deep third for a single.

Hard length around the top of off at 141.8 clicks, Shahidi plays it off the front foot and taps it straight to cover-point.

Length ball around leg, turned off the legs and through backward square leg for an easy single.

Floated up, quite full and on leg, Shahidi clears the front leg and clips it straight to mid-wicket.

Shahidi is early to go for the reverse and Rashid bowls it flat and down leg. Shahidi manages to fetch it and gets it through the cover-point region for a couple of handy runs.

Flighted, full and outside off, inviting the batter to go after it, Zadran looks for the big shot but curtails his inhibitions and hammers it along the ground to long off for one.

Nagging length, drifting it into middle and leg, Ibrahim Zadran lunges forward and blocks it off.

Tossed up around off, Hashmatullah Shahidi drives this through mid off for one.

Time for a drinks break! England is dominating Afghanistan, thanks to Jofra Archer's impressive spell, which has given them the upper hand. The English bowlers have been disciplined, making it tough for Afghanistan's batting unit to rotate strikes or find boundaries regularly, effectively pinning them back. Afghanistan's hopes now rest on the shoulders of Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi, both capable of taking the game deep and accelerating towards the end. This pair will need to dig deep but they must keep in mind about the run rate at which they are going.

Well bowled! Banged in quite short and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran waits back and looks to ramp it away but is beaten.

Drop and run! Hard length in and around off, Shahidi bunts the ball down just behind point and scampers through for the single.

Takes pace off, bowling it on a good length and just gets the off-cutter to grip as well, Shahidi looks to cut but is taken aback by the extra bounce as well.

Back of a length and outside off, dabbed down from the crease and towards backward point for no run.

FOUR! Gets this one away! Overton with a full and wide delivery, Shahidi gets down on one knee and reaches out, opening the face of the blade and driving it behind point for a boundary. The first one after 35 balls!

Just short of a good length and on a tight line around off, Shahidi stays back and nudges it down towards short third.

Nicely flighted, on a nagging length around off, Zadran leans on to defend.

Nicely timed again and the 50 comes up for Afghanistan. On a dragged length on middle and leg, sliding on, Zadran goes on the back foot and works it away wide of deep mid-wicket for another brace.

Flatter again, pushed through quicker and around off, Ibrahim Zadran rocks back and cuts it nice and late through backward point for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Flatter one, spilled well down the leg side for a wide.

Loopy delivery, just too full and on leg, Hashmatullah Shahidi backs away and pushes the low full toss down to long on for just another single.

Tosses this one up on middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran just eases it down to long on for one more.

Flighted, slow and down leg, Shahidi nudges it down to fine leg and picks up a single.

Excellent carry again! Delivered on a hard length at 141 clicks and wide of off, Ibrahim Zadran looks to reach out and slap it away but the ball just zips through and beats the bat yet again.

Back of a length and banged in over off stump, Zadran hops back and dead-bats it onto the deck.

Hard length in and around off, Zadran stays upright and jams the ball down towards cover.

Pitches it up at the stumps and angles it in, Ibrahim Zadran clips it away firmly but can't beat wide mid on.

Back of a length and outside off, Shahidi taps it away from the crease and through the backward point region for a single.

Overton switches ends and straightaway gets a bit of extra carry. Around the wicket to Hasmat, banged in back of a length and wide outside off at almost 140 clicks. Hasmat looks to cut but is beaten for pace and bounce.

Tossed up, full and on leg, Shahidi takes the front leg out and leans on to drive it back past the bowler for a single.

Nagging length on middle, just starting to turn back in, Shahidi lunges and blocks it off.

Loops this one right up, full and wide outside off, Ibrahim Zadran waits well and drives it along the ground to wide long off for a single.

Full and straight, on middle and leg, Zadran backs away and plays it back to the bowler.

Adil Rashid is now bowling, and this change might actually favor Hashmatullah Shahidi. As a left-handed batsman facing a leg-spinner, Shahidi could find it easier to navigate Rashid's spin. Plus, he seemed to be struggling against the pace bowlers, so this switch might give him a bit of a reprieve.

Nicely flighted, drifts it into the pads, slower too, Zadran leans across and blocks it off.

Rashid comes in and starts off with a full ball around off, Ibrahim Zadran gets forward and drives it to covers.

Gets the bumper spot-on and just the wide off that over. Banged in halfway down the track and wide outside off at almost 140 clicks, Shahidi backs away to slash it away but is well beaten.

Pitched up around middle, darting it into the left-hander, Shahidi blocks it with a straight face of the bat.

WIDE! A proper bumper no but this time it is called a wide for height. Dug in quick and short over off, just over the head height and Shahidi ducks under it.

Much fuller now, on a nagging length and angled in from around off, Shahidi tentatively blocks it off.

Back of a length, around the fifth stump and at 141 clicks, Shahidi looks to get on his toes and force the cut away but miscues it badly.

Bangs it in short now around off, angling it in and then taking it away, Shahidi bends back and sways away from the line of the delivery.

Around the wicket to the left-hander, bowled on a hard length and around the top of off, Hasmat blocks it down into the off side.

Power Play 2! The fielding side will now be allowed 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle till the 40th over.

On a good length, around off, Shahidi opens the face of the bat to guide it to deep third man for a single.

A replica of the last ball! Same line and length, in the channel, moving away, Hashmatullah Shahidi comes forward and looks to drive but misses.

BEATEN! From around the wicket, fuller length, in the channel, inviting the batter to drive, Hashmatullah Shahidi takes out his front leg forward and looks for that expansive drive but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length, outside off, Ibrahim Zadran presses back and looks to cut it but gets late as the ball takes the outside edge and goes to deep third man. Meanwhile, the batters run for a single.

On a good length, around middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran hops up a bit and turns it to mid-wicket.

Starts with a full ball, around middle, seaming in, Ibrahim Zadran comes forward and flicks it to mid on.

Jamie Overton comes into the attack now.

Greets with a bouncer, around middle, Hashmatullah Shahidi ducks under it.

Afghan skipper, Hashmatullah Shahidi walks in with his side in a spot of real bother now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Afghanistan are three down inside the first Powerplay and Jofra Archer picks up his third wicket of the day! He bowls it slightly on the hard length, but down the leg side, and gets it nipped back in, Rahmat Shah just transfers his weight to the back foot and looks to pull it. He manages to get a top edge only as the ball flies to deep fine leg where Adil Rashid runs in forward and makes a slide to catch it with both hands at his knee height. Afghanistan are 37/3.

A bit slower and on a back of a length, well outside off, Rahmat Shah opens the face of the bat and steers it in the gap towards cover point for a couple of runs.

Around off, good length, Rahmat blocks it off.

Back of a length, on top of off, Ibrahim Zadran opens the face of the bat to guide it to deep third man for a single.

Fuller around middle, Ibrahim Zadran opens up and defends it to mid-wicket.

Jofra Archer to continue and Mark Wood is going off the field as expected. Tom Banton is on as the substitute fielder.

Full around off, Zadran lunges and pushes it to mid off and runs off for a quick single as Wood takes another tumble on the followwthrough.

Back of a length, around off and middle, Ibrahim Zadran presses back a bit and blocks it out to mid off.

Halt! Oh, deary me! We have already seen a few issues with Mark Wood falling over while delivering the ball and he is now seen limping. The physio is out to have a look and it is that left knee that is an area of concern. Not a good sign at all for England who have already lost one frontline pacer to injury. For now, Wood is back up and trying to walk it over. Surprisingly, Wood is going to give it a go here and try and complete the over before going off for further treatment.

On a good length, into the line of the stumps, coming in with the angle, Ibrahim Zadran stays on the leg side of the ball and shows the full face of the bat to defend it to cover.

Full again, around off, Ibrahim Zadran lunges and drives it in the gap towards extra cover. Jos Buttler gives it a chase and restricts the batter to a couple of runs. It might have been three but Ibrahim slipped while turning for the third run.

Goes fuller, and outside off, a shade of outswing, Rahmat Shah comes forward and looks to drive it but gets it through the outer half of the bat to deep third man for a single.

On a good length, around off, Rahmat opens the face of the bat and dabs it to backward point. Harry Brook makes a dive to his left to stop the ball.

Short of a length, around off, Ibrahim Zadran ducks under it.

FOUR! GLORIOUS! Keeps it fuller, in the slot, around off, Ibrahim Zadran lunges and creams this drives to the left of the bowler for another boundary.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Archer bowls the same length, full, and outside off, Ibrahim Zadran throws his hands at it with no foot movement and slashes it in the gap towards cover-point for a boundary.

Goes fuller, around off and middle, Rahmat leans on and drives it just wide of mid off for a quick single.

Back of a length, around off, Rahmat Shah hops up a bit and gets hit high on the bat as he looks to block it.

Starts with a good-length ball, around off, Rahmat Shah comes forward and defends it to cover.

Nagging length, touch outside off, seaming away, Ibrahim Zadran looks to defend it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! GOOD USE OF THE PACE ON OFFER! Back of a length, around middle, angling in, Ibrahim Zadran waits for it and opens the face of the bat off late to guide it. The ball goes in the air flat towards deep third man where Jofra Archer runs to his left and tries to stop the ball with his outstretched hand but fails to do so as the ball goes over the ropes.

Hard length, nips back in, on top of off, Ibrahim Zadran transfers his weight to the front foot a bit and drops it down to cover.

Similar length, in the channel, with extra bounce, Ibrahim Zadran again goes for a slash and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Drags his length a bit, and touch outside off, from a little wider of the crease to create an angle, Ibrahim Zadran goes back and looks to cut it but misses.

Full, around off, seaming in, Ibrahim Zadran comes forward and drives it to mid off.

Back of a length around off, Rahmat Shah blocks it out solidly off his back foot.

Rahmat Shah walks in with Afghanistan in some early trouble.

OUT! LBW! Given out by Joel Wilson but Atal has sent this upstairs. On a length around middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal looks to flick this toward the leg side but gets a bit late at it. The bat too on it's way down thumps into the pads and that allows the ball to thump onto the pads first. A confident appeal from the English players and the umpire gives Atal out. After a discussion with Zadran, Atal sends this upstairs. The UltraEdge does show some murmurs but that was of the bat striking the pads and later the Ball Tracker confirms the decision of OUT with three reds.

On a length around leg, Sediqullah Atal looks to tuck this around leg but closes the bat face a bit early. Gets it off the outside edge and the ball has rolled towards the off side.

FOUR! First boundary of the contest. Good length around middle and leg, Sediqullah Atal leans into it and flicks this all along the carpet through square leg for the very first boundary of this contest.

Good length around off, Sediqullah Atal blocks this out.

Sediqullah Atal is in at number 3. Two slips and a gully in place now.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! Archer draws first blood and Rahmanullah Gurbaz is sent back. On a length, around off, inswinging delivery. Gurbaz takes a stride out in front and goes for that flashy drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads and the ball than rolls back onto the stumps. Archer completes 50 ODI wickets for England with this dismissal of Gurbaz as well. Rahmanullah Gurbaz departs on 6 (15). Afghanistan are 11 for 1 after 4.1 overs.

LEG BYE! On a length around the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses out on the nudge around leg and the ball deflects off his pads towards fine leg for one.

Short-pitched, around off, Ibrahim Zadran hops up on his toes and dabs this through short third for one.

On a length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steps across and helps this to third man region for one.

Disciplined bowling from Wood and Gurbaz had no answer to it. Good length, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz looks to block this out but it moves away just a fraction and beats Gurbaz on the outside.

Good length around middle and off, Ibrahim Zadran drives this towards the left of mid off for one.

Wood has found the right line and length. On a length around that corridor of uncertainty. Ibrahim Zadran gets lured into a drive and the away movement on this takes it away from the outside edge of Zadran and beats him.

Short-pitched, around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz ducks down and bails out of any stroke at it.

Good length around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends this off his front foot.

A sharp bit of fielding in the deep on leg and he keeps it down to two. On a length around the pads, Rahmanullah Gurbaz flicks this towards the left of Adil Rashid at deep backward square. Rashid runs a few yards to his left and dives as he fields this and saves two for the side.

On a length around middle and leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets right behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Good length on off, jagging back into the batter. Gurbaz defends this out.

On a length, spraying down the leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves across and looks for the flick but misses again. The ball though clips his pads on it's way to the keeper's gloves. A bit of excitement from the English players but the umpire is unmoved.

Hits the hard length on top of off, Ibrahim punches this to extra cover for no run.

Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran solidly defends this out.

BEATEN! On a length around off, Ibrahim Zadran goes for the expansive drive but gets beaten to the away movement on offer.

A quick single. Good length on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz drops this to the off side and sets off for a quick single. Phil Salt runs in aggressively from point and hits the stumps directly but a full-stretch dive from Zadran saves him.

Is that a run-out? Seemed like a good run there but the umpires are just having a look and it is signaled as a run as Ibrahim Zadran was well in. Good running!

Pitched further up around off, shaping away from the batter. Gurbaz leaves it all alone.

Good length wide of off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shoulders arms it.

Mark Wood to take the other new ball.

On a length around leg, Gurbaz flicks this through square leg for one.

WIDE! A bit harsh on the bowler. Good length around the pads, tailing down the leg. Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves in and attempts a flick but misses. The ball wasn't that far from the leg stump but the umpire still calls it a wide.

LEG BYE! Good length on the pads, Ibrahim goes for the flick but misses. The ball brushes the pads and rolls to fine leg for a single.

Good length around off, Ibrahim Zadran punches this on the up but finds short cover.

Back of a length again, tailing back in a bit too much this time around. Ibrahim looks to nudge this away towards the on side but gets it off the inside of his bat and onto his abdomen for nothing.

Back of a length around off, tailing back into Ibrahim Zadran. The batter hops up on his toes and punches this to cover for no run.

We are underway with a single from the bat of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. On a length wide outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz guides this to the third man region for a single to kickstart this contest.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings and we're all set to get underway! The umpires are out in the middle and so are the players of England. It will be the usual pairing of Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz up top for Afghanistan. Jofra Archer has the new ball in hand and is ready to steam in. One slip in place, let's go...

We are just a few minutes away from live action but first, the officials and the mascots come out to the middle followed by the two sets of players who will line up for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of England first followed by the national anthem of Afghanistan.

English speedster, Jofra Archer is down for a chat. Jofra says that it is all about picking wickets in the Powerplay and you hope that the spinners then come in and chip in with a couple of wickets as well and by the halfway mark, you get to know what's working on the deck. Adds that pace is pace but in the last game, the balls weren't even getting above waist height.

Jos Buttler, the skipper of England, says that he feels good about bowling first as the dew came in the last game. Adds that they would have batted first as well as it looks like a really good wicket and now they have to put up a good performance today. Informs that there is only one change as Jamie Overton comes in place of injured Brydon Carse. Mentions that the seamers have good skills and the expectations are always high from them to deliver.

The skipper of Afghanistan, Hashmatullah Shahidi has won the toss and he has elected to BAT first. Hasmat says the wicket looks good and they hope the surface turns in the second innings. Reckons that they are not expecting dew because of the overcast conditions and the pitch gets slow and will support their spinners. Mentions that they had a discussion about the areas where they need to bowl in this contest. Informs they are unchanged.

England (Playing XI) - Ben Duckett, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith (WK), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton (In for Brydon Carse), Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Afghanistan (Unchanged XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Afghanistan. Hashmatullah Shahidi opts to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Nasser Hussain is pitchside. Starts by saying that conditions are ideal at the moment but there is a bit of rain forecast later on. Adds that this pitch has moved a couple of pitches from the Australia-England game. Michael Atherton joins him and says that Lahore was expected to be a high-scoring venue and it has proven to be just that and this pitch is no exception. Reckons that this ground has the least amount of turn and it should stay that way.

The pitch is expected to be a batting paradise, with scores of 300+ being par. However, overcast conditions and the possibility of rain could bring seamers into play early on, making the first ten overs crucial for both teams. If rain intervenes, a shortened match could make things even more unpredictable. Don’t go anywhere as the toss and playing XI aren’t far away!

With Group B wide open, this match holds immense importance for both sides. England have a clear equation, win both remaining matches, and they reach the semi-finals, lose today, and they are out. Afghanistan face the same situation, only back-to-back wins will secure their place in the semis, while a defeat will send them packing. Given their history, Afghanistan will believe they can cause another upset, while England will be eager to prove that their 2023 loss was just a one-off.

Afghanistan, too, are coming off a tough loss to South Africa, where their batting collapsed against the Proteas’ pace attack. Rahmat Shah was the lone warrior, falling just short of a century, while the rest of the lineup struggled. Their strength lies in their world-class spin trio of Noor Ahmad, Rashid Khan, and Mohammad Nabi, but they looked out of rhythm in the last game. They will need to replicate their 2023 World Cup performance against England, where they spun a web around the English batters. The onus will also be on openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who have shown promise but need to deliver under pressure in this high-stakes encounter.

England’s tournament have started on a disappointing note, losing to Australia despite posting over 350 runs. Their bowling was below par, failing to defend a massive total, and now they face another setback with Brydon Carse ruled out due to a toe injury, with Rehan Ahmed replacing him in the squad. The English openers, especially Ben Duckett, who smashed a brilliant century, have looked solid, but the middle order has underperformed, with Harry Brook and captain Jos Buttler needing to step up in this must-win match. Bowling remains a concern, and Adil Rashid will once again be key in the middle overs to contain Afghanistan’s batters and provide crucial breakthroughs.

Hello and welcome to Match 8 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where England take on Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This clash is a virtual knockout game, as a loss for either side would eliminate them from semi-final contention, following the washout between South Africa and Australia. These two teams have faced off in the last three ICC World Cups, with England winning in 2015 and 2019, but Afghanistan stunned them in the 2023 World Cup in India, where England's batting crumbled against Afghanistan’s spin attack. With a place in the semi-finals on the line, expect a thrilling contest between these two determined sides.

... MATCH DAY ... 

The 2025 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy is up and running and we have already seen some surprises in the competition and with half of the group stage fixtures still remaining, we have already got our first two semifinalists in the form of India and New Zealand from Group A. However, Group B is a different story and in Match 8 of the competition, it will be Afghanistan taking on England in a do-or-die clash at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. With both teams having lost their opening encounters, a loss here and it could be all over. Having said that, both teams might have lost their first games, but they did so in contrasting fashions and have different areas of the game to improve upon. Afghanistan were demolished by the South African bowling attack whereas, it was the batting from Australia that inflicted defeat upon England after having put on a monumental total on the board themselves. Also, when these two teams last met in an ICC ODI event, it was the ODI World Cup of 2023 in India which England would like to forget and on that occasion, it was Afghanistan that came out on top and in the recent series against India, England had their struggles against spin which will instill belief into the Afghans that they can do it again. However, England did bat pretty well in their first game with Ben Duckett scoring a blazing 165, taking his side to above the 350-run mark. Joe Root also showed why he still is England's best batter in sub-continental conditions with a fine knock of his own but the middle order couldn't quite deliver as Harry Brook continued his poor run of form. Their bowling though was a big let down and they had opportunities at different stages of the game to get on top of proceedings but failed to do so and only Adil Rashid was the one shining light. With Brydon Carse now ruled out of the tournament and Rehan Ahmed in as his replacement, we might see them play and extra spinner. Afghanistan, on the other hand, conceded too many runs in their last game and their bowling attack wasn't as lethal as expected and they certainly need someone to aid Fazalhaq Farooqi with the new ball from the other end like Naveen ul Haq used to. Also, they generally win matches when that opening pair fires and they need at least one of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran to give them that start at the top which then the middle order can build on. That spin trio of Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mohammad Nabi will be crucial as usual but they need the batters to do their job as well if they are to get the win. All in all, two wounded teams who will be disappointed with their previous performances but will have a chance to usher in a new dawn and bolster their hopes of making it through the group stages. Who do you think will come out on top?