Ben Stokes has named his England team for the first Ashes Test that will start at Edgbaston on Friday. He decided to go for experience and selected Stuart Broad over the pace of Mark Wood in his final selection decision.
The Ashes: England announced their Playing XI for the First Test
Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum decided on continuity in one of the berths during the announcement of their XI two days from the first test of the Ashes. Whether this sees Broad handed an instant reunion with David Warner, seven times in victim in the 2019 series – remains to be seen, however, with the 36-year-old operating at the first change since Anderson and Robinson became the preferred new-ball pairing last summer.
Ben Stokes striving to overcome a longstanding knee problem. That said, England do not tend to do trepidation these days and Stokes upped his bowling on Wednesday. He sent down around five overs in the nets with a fair amount of grunt.
Wood was arguably the only England player to emerge from the 4-0 hammering in Australia 18 months ago in the Ashes. The absence of his extra pace may yet prove a talking point on a pitch that looks hard. The Australian batters will surely like that. On Wednesday, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head occupied the top three spots in the ICC Test batting rankings.
The last time players from the same team occupied the top three positions was back in December 1984. Gordon Greenidge, Clive Lloyd, and Larry Gomes, all from West Indies were leading the way. This latest update follows Australia's 209-run victory over India in the World Test Championship final at the Oval.
It will surely be a challenge for an England side that is otherwise as expected and coming into the series on a run of 11 victories from their last 13 Test matches.
England XI (confirmed):Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Jimmy Anderson.
As we move towards the first fixture, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, let’s take a moment to go back in time and see which batsmen have scored the most runs in IPL since 2018.
As we move towards the first fixture, between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, let’s take a moment to go back in time and see which batsmen have scored the most runs in IPL since 2018.
Most Runs in IPL (2018-2024)
8. Suryakumar Yadav | 2986 Runs
Suryakumar Yadav had his IPL debut in 2011 for MI. But he got his breakthrough in KKR under Gautam Gambhir but didn't perform up to that level. 2018 saw him return to the Mumbai Indians, where he made massive strides in his IPL career.
Surya has scored 2986 runs during this period in 84 games at an average of 35.55 and a strike rate of 148.71. He has two centuries and 23 half-centuries to his name. He struck 440 boundaries, including 331 fours and 109 sixes.
In 2023, he had his greatest IPL season, where he was appointed as the vice-captain of MI along with scoring 605 runs with a strike rate of 181.14 in 16 innings.
7. Sanju Samson | 2993 Runs
Rajasthan Royals' skipper and wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has always been a player to rely on in the IPL. He has scored 2993 runs during the 2018-2024 season with two centuries and 18 half-centuries.
IPL 2024 was one of the best seasons for Samson with the bat as he amassed 531 runs at an impressive average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46. He also led the team to the playoffs for the second time after taking over the reins in IPL 2021.
6. Jos Buttler | 3055 Runs
Jos Buttler comes sixth in the list scoring 3055 runs in 73 matches at an average of 41.85 and a strike rate of 147.80. He has seven centuries and 18 half-centuries to his name.
Buttler had an unforgettable 2022 season, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with 863 runs at an average of 57.53 and a blistering strike rate of 149.05.
The England star smashed four centuries and four half-centuries, playing a crucial role in Rajasthan Royals’ journey to the final. His ability to accelerate and play match-winning innings made him one of the standout performers of the season.
5. Shikhar Dhawan | 3208 Runs
Shikhar Dhawan is fifth on the list of most runs in IPL since 2018. He has been a consistent run-getter over this period, crossing the 400-run mark each season from 2018 to 2024.
Dhawan has 3208 runs in 83 games at an average of 38.65 and a strike rate of 133.56, including 2 hundred and 23 half-centuries, with the help of 367 fours and 82 sixes.
His best season came in 2020 when he made 618 runs with 2 hundred and 4 fifties.
4. Shubman Gill | 3216 Runs
Shubman Gill made his IPL debut in 2018 season and scored 3216 runs so far in 85 matches at an average of 37.84 and a strike rate of 135.70.
Gill was the leading run-scorer of IPL 2023, amassing 890 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 59.33. His strike rate of 157.80 included 3 centuries and 4 half-centuries, with a highest score of 129. He also smashed 85 fours and 33 sixes throughout the tournament.
Gill’s heroics helped Gujarat Titans reach the 2023 final, making him a player to watch for many seasons to come.
3. Faf du Plessis | 3276 Runs
Faf Du Plessis, who guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the playoffs last season, has the most runs in IPL during 2018-2024 period. He has scored 3276 runs in 84 matches at an average of 39.01 and a strike rate of 140.04.
He was also sensational with the bat as he scored 438 runs in 2022 season. It came after a brilliant run with the bat in 2023 when he scored over 700 runs for RCB.
Prior to his stint with Bangalore, Du Plessis enjoyed a highly successful tenure with the Chennai Super Kings, winning IPL titles in 2018 and 2021.
The Proteas batter boasts an impressive record in the overall tournament, scoring 4,571 runs in 145 matches, including 37 half-centuries.
Despite Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s struggles in recent seasons, Virat Kohli continued to shine with the bat in every season. He amassed 3586 runs since 2018 season at an average of 40.29 and a strike rate of 134.7, reminding everyone why he is one of the greatest batsmen in T20 cricket.
Kohli has four centuries and 25 half-centuries to his name. His IPL career has seen him hit 339 fours and 163 sixes during this period.
Kohli also scored the most runs in IPL in history with 8004 runs in 252 matches, including 8 centuries and 55 fifties.
1. KL Rahul | 3958 Runs
KL Rahul has hammered 3,958 runs in 79 matches since the start of IPL 2018. He has scored the most runs in IPL this period.
The tally includes four tons and 33 fifties. Rahul is the only batter to slam 3,000-plus IPL runs in this period. Shikhar Dhawan (3,208), the only other batter to score 2,500-plus since IPL 2018, follows Rahul on this tally.
Indian men's cricket team with seven ICC trophies are the second most successful team in men's cricket history. Australia with ten trophies lead the list of teams with the most ICC trophies.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) conducts different cricket events and tournaments throughout the year. ICC tournaments are the biggest platforms in the game of cricket, where the top teams contest against each other for championship podiums.
Contributing to the team on a big stage like this will always be remembered for a long time. The ODI World Cup is conducted once every four years, whereas the Men's T20 World Cup is played every two years. The ICC Champions Trophy is where only the top 8 teams compete in each finals tournament.
Last but not least, the World Test Championship is played over two years. This article thoroughly talks about the men's cricketing teams that have won ICC trophies at some point in time. Let's take a look at the teams with the most ICC Trophies.
Australia's sheer dominance over other cricketing teams is nothing new. For decades, Australia has been executing out-of-ordinary performances and winning trophies for the country. Out of all the cricketing countries, Australia has the most ICC trophies.
Till now the Aussies won 10 ICC trophies. Australia is the only team to win 6 ICC World Cups. The most successful team in the Cricket World Cup clinched the trophy in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023. Interestingly Australia made a record of being the only team to win the trophy in all the countries that hosted the World Cup.
Australia won the ICC Champions Trophy twice in 2006 and 2009 against West Indies and New Zealand respectively. Lastly, Australia lifted their first-ever ICC T20 World Cup trophy after defeating New Zealand in the 2021 T20 World Cup. They claimed the ICC World Test Championship after defeating India at the Oval by a huge margin of 209 runs.
India sits in the second position on this prestigious list of most ICC Trophies by any team. India won their first-ever ICC World Cup in 1983 under the captaincy of Kapil Dev. Later again 28 years, the men in blue won the World Cup for the second time under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2011.
The Indian men's cricket team also reached the semifinals four times in 1987, 1996, 2015, and 2019. Meantime, they lost in two finals in 2003 and 2023.
The men in blue won the Champions Trophy thrice. First, in 2002, both the finalists India and Sri Lanka were declared the co-champions of the 2002 Champions Trophy. In the 2013 edition, India defeated England by 5 runs and won the Champions Trophy for the second time in Birmingham. Their latest triumph came via Champions Trophy 2025, as they defeated New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai in the final.
Lastly, India won the inaugural edition of the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007 after defeating Pakistan in Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, India defeated South Africa by 7 runs to lift the trophy for the second time.
Next on this list is West Indies with a total of 5 ICC trophies. The first-ever ICC World Cup final was won by West Indies in 1975. West Indies once again continued their reign in the next edition of the World Cup as well, in 1979. The Caribbean team also won the Champions Trophy in 2004. Lastly, West Indies became the winner of the ICC T20 World Cup twice; once against Sri Lanka in 2012 and the other time against England in 2016.
England | 3
England team after winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. Image- ICC
Till 2010, the England team has not had any ICC Tournament. But, it was in 2010, when they won their first ICC T20 World Cup against arch-rival Australia. Craig Kieswetter guided them home in the final for their first-ever ICC Trophy. Post that, they have been a phenomenal white-ball team and won two ICC World Cups since then.
In 2019, they won their first ICC Men's ODI World Cup as Ben Stokes made all the difference in the final against England in a match where boundary count helped England to win the World Cup.
England's latest ICC Trophy triumph came under Jos Buttler as they became the first-ever team in Cricket history to hold the ODI and T20 World Cup at the same time. Jos Buttler and company won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 as Sam Curran won the player of the tournament after taking 13 wickets with the ball. Curran also was the player of the match in the final as well.
Pakistan | 3
Pakistan sits in the fourth position on the list of most ICC Trophy wins by any team with 3 ICC trophies. The first-ever ICC trophy won by Pakistan was during the 1992 cricket World Cup. Pakistan defeated England in the final and won by 22 runs.
The next ICC trophy won by Pakistan was in the 2009 T20 World Cup where they beat Sri Lanka in the final and won the title by 8 wickets. The most recent and last ICC win of Pakistan is the 2017 Champions Trophy where they defeated India by 180 runs.
With 3 ICC trophies, Sri Lanka sits in 5th position on this list. Sri Lanka won their first-ever ICC World Cup in 1996 where they played against Australia in the final hosted in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. They went ahead to win their next ICC trophy in the 2002 Champions Trophy. The winner of the tournament is actually both India and Sri Lanka as both the finalist teams were declared as co-champions.
The last time Sri Lanka won an ICC Trophy was when they defeated India in the 2014 T20 World Cup hosted in Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium Dhaka.
The New Zealand cricket team has won a total of 2 ICC trophies since they started competing in tournaments conducted by ICC. The Kiwis won their first-ever ICC Trophy in the 2000 Champions Trophy. Nairobi hosted the final of New Zealand vs India where New Zealand won the match by 4 wickets.
The next ICC Trophy won by the Kiwis was the ICC World Test Championship. Once again, New Zealand played against India in the final of an ICC event and clinched the trophy in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship final.
With a team of talented and world-renowned cricketers, South Africa won only one ICC trophy throughout its entire history. In the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy hosted in Bangladesh, South Africa beat West Indies in the final and won the title. Jacques Kallis was exceptional and contributed the most to the team reaching and winning the final and was awarded the player of the tournament. He hit a century and picked up a five-wicket haul as well.
Note: The stats include shared trophies. The article was first written by Shreya Ghosh and then got edited by Abishek Goswami.
Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 LIVE Updates, Scores, News and free commentary: Australia qualify for semis after match gets abandoned
Stay updated with the Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 match as this match is set to decide who will qualify for the semis of the tournament from Group B.
Hello and welcome to another LIVE coverage of Champions Trophy 2025 on Sportz Point.
Today, we will cover probably the most important match of the group stage this season. This is Koushik Biswas and Payal Debnath with the Afghanistan vs Australia Champions Trophy 2025 match from the web desk.
Last time when these two teams met, we saw one of the greatest ODI knocks from Glenn Maxwell in the ICC World Cup 2023. This is a must-win match for Afghanistan. If they lose, they will fail to qualify for the semis.
So, sit back and relax as we bring you the stats, LIVE updates, images and free commentary of the match for you. Enjoy the coverage.
LIVE Updates
Feb 28, 2025, 4:14 PM
Australia qualify for the semis
Match abandoned! A shame for the fans in Lahore, but the rain claims another fixture in this Champions Trophy. A point each means Australia are through to the semi-finals! They move to four points while Afghanistan, now on three, need to wait until tomorrow to see if they have snuck through.
Feb 28, 2025, 2:21 PM
Meantime news from the England camp
Feb 28, 2025, 2:03 PM
The rain halts the game
The rain halts the game. Australia are 109/1 after 12.5 overs.
Steve Smith comes to the crease and hits two back-to-back boundaries as they reach 50 in five overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 1:30 PM
Short goes for 20!
After another dropped catch, finally Afghanistan holds on to a catch.
Gulbadin Naib takes a good catch running back at mid-on and Azmatullah Omarzai gets the big wicket of Short!
Australia 44/1
Feb 28, 2025, 1:24 PM
Rashid Khan drops Head!
Massive point of the match. Rashid Khan at mid-on drops Travis Head on 6.
Head tried to go over the circle against Fazalhaq Farooqi and could not get the connection.
Feb 28, 2025, 1:22 PM
Terrific start for Australia | 30/0
Solid, fast start for Australia with the bat. Travis Head and Matthew Short have given Australia the start they were looking for.
Australia 30/0 after 3.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:35 PM
AFG 273 all out after 50 overs
Noor got a top edge on that and given out.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:34 PM
Australia takes review
swings and misses outside off, but steals a bye. Noor to face the final ball. He misses the pull, caught behind appeal, and another bye taken.
Australia takes the review to check whether there was any bat on it.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:32 PM
Azmatullah departs
Caught at deep cover and Azmatullah brilliant knock finally comes to an end.
Fazalhaq Farooqi the last man in.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:30 PM
One-bounce four
Thundered down the ground by Azmatullah for a one-bounce four. Smashed to deep midwicket and Azmatullah prefers not to run again.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:29 PM
Dwarshuis to bowl the final over
Dot ball to start with as Azmatullah doesn’t want to take the single.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:28 PM
AFG 268/8 after 49 overs
A couple of dot balls to follow - a slower one and then a yorker from Ellis.
SIX! Slow and shortish outside off, and Azmatullah throws his hands at it and clears wide long-off for another maximum.
A single to end the over and Azmatullah will keep strike.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:26 PM
Six from Azmatullah's bat
Ellis bowls out. Noor takes a single first ball. SIX! Azmatullah takes this from outside off-stump and launches the ball over deep midwicket for a colossal six.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:21 PM
Fifty up for Azmatullah
Fifty up for Azmatullah, off just 54 balls, and this has been an excellent knock so far.
A wide and a single to end the over, and six runs from the 48th.
AFG 254/8 after 48 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:18 PM
250 comes for AFG
Dwarshuis starts off with a wide outside off-stump. 250 up for Afghanistan with a single off the second ball of the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:16 PM
AFG 248/8 after 47 overs
Single first ball for Noor. SIX! Shot! An incredible hit down the ground by Azmatullah.
It was a length ball on middle stump and thumped for a straight six. That was 103 metres! Launched over extra cover next ball by Azmatullah, and the ball falls safely in the deep for a couple more.
A couple of slower deliveries in a row and Azmatullah can’t put them away, resulting in two crucial dot balls. A single at deep midwicket for Azmatullah to end the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:13 PM
AFG 238/8 after 46 overs
Noor Ahmad is the next man in.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:08 PM
Rashid Khan departs
Carved behind point by Rashid to the boundary first ball as Dwarshuis continues. And Rashid is gone next ball.
Short again, Rashid looked to heave this down the ground but he gets a top edge on it and Maxwell settles under this skier at long-on.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:06 PM
AFG 230/7 after 45 overs
Pulled away to deep midwicket by Azmatullah and brilliant stop in the deep by Maxwell to keep it down to a couple.
Short, Rashid steps out to flat-bat this on the off-side but the ball runs away to the third-man boundary off the toe end of the bat.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:03 PM
Ellis returns
A couple of dot balls to start the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 12:00 PM
Dwarshuis with the ball
Four runs off the first three balls. Misfield at point and a couple more for Rashid off the fourth ball of the over.
He looks to guide this angled delivery to third man with soft hands, but misses.
Beaten outside off again off the last ball.
AFG 223/7 after 44 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:58 AM
AFG 217/7 after 43 overs
A couple of twos for Rashid, who first steps out to clear the infield on the off-side and then sweeps one to deep square-leg.
Twelve runs from the over and Afghanistan won’t mind that.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:56 AM
Massive maximum for Azmatullah
Massive maximum for Azmatullah. He backs away outside leg-stump and slog sweeps this over midwicket for half a dozen.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:55 AM
AFG 205/7 after 42 overs
Ellis continues. Excellent stuff from Ellis, as just four singles come from the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:50 AM
200 comes for AFG
Zampa comes back. 200 up for Afghanistan in 40.3 overs as Azmatullah takes a single.
Rashid off the mark with a single through square-leg as he flicks the ball off the back foot.
AFG 201/7 after 41 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:46 AM
Gulbadin departs
Gulbadin is gone.
He was looking to clear the leg-side boundary, but ended up skying this very high in the air and Inglis does well to settle under it.
AFG 199/7 after 40 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:46 AM
Ellis continues
Short ball, pulled by Naib, and Short throws himself at midwicket to hold on to what would have been a stunning catch, but the ball just slips out of his grip.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:41 AM
AFG 197/6 after 39 overs
Azmatullah slashes hard outside off as Johnson angles the ball away, and the batter gets a thick outside edge to deep third for a single.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:40 AM
Johnson comes again
Over the wicket to Naib. FOUR! Short, good bouncer, but Naib gets a top edge on the pull and the ball runs away to the boundary behind the keeper.
That seems to have gone off the helmet, so given four leg-byes.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:36 AM
Loud appeal for caught behind
Ellis with the ball. Loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire doesn’t move.
Smith reviews and there is daylight between bat and ball as Azmatullah can’t connect.
Guided behind point by Azmatullah for a couple to end the over.
AFG 190/6 after 38 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:31 AM
AFG 186/6 after 37 overs
That was a short ball down leg-side, which the keeper couldn’t collect cleanly. He throws the ball at the stumps, however, and Johnson shows good presence of mind to back up and break the stumps.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:29 AM
Mohammad Nabi run out
Johnson again. Full outside off and driven through extra-cover by Azmatullah for a couple. OUT! Nabi is caught outside his crease the striker’s end and that’s an unfortunate dismissal.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:20 AM
Hashmatullah departs
Zampa is back. A lot of width outside off and cut away for a single by Azmatullah to deep cover. OUT! Hashmatullah is gone.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:18 AM
AFG 175/4 after 35 overs
Short into his seventh over. SIX! Azmatullah decides to get a move on.
He goes for the slog-sweep and clears midwicket with ease.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:16 AM
Johnson continues.
Just three singles and leg-bye from the over. Hashmatullah drags his score to 19 off 46 balls by the end of the over.
AFG 166/4 after 34 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:08 AM
Azmatullah Omarzai comes to bat
Azmatullah Omarzai is the next man in. He is off the mark with a single at deep fine.
AFG 161/4 after 32 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:03 AM
Atal departs
Johnson comes back replacing Zampa. The bowling change makes the difference as he takes Atal's wicket.
Driven straight to the cover fielder by Atal, and Smith holds on to a low catch.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:01 AM
Short replaces Ellis
Just three runs from the over.
Pressure building on Hashmat, while Atal nears a brilliant ton.
AFG 159/3 after 31 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 11:00 AM
Run out chance
Hashmat is sent back from halfway down the pitch by Atal after the captain chops the ball to mid-off.
There is some disagreement between the batters but the captain survives. A couple at deep cover for Hashmat to end the over.
AFG 156/3 after 30 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:57 AM
150 comes for AFG
Hammered over long-on by Atal for a maximum as Zampa continues.
That’s 150 up in 29.1 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:56 AM
Loud appeal for lbw
Ellis is convinced it is gone, but not given by the umpire and Smith won’t review either.
A single to end the over as Atal keeps strike.
AFG 145/3 after 29 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:54 AM
50 runs partnership for AFG
Ellis comes around the wicket. Banged in short and swatted away by Hashmatullah to deep point for a single.
A bit of width and driven square of the wicket by Atal for a boundary.
That’s 50 runs for the partnership off 64 balls.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:52 AM
Ellis continues
Two dots in a row for Hashmatullah and the pressure is building on the skipper now. 11 runs off 33 balls for him.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:51 AM
AFG 138/3 after 28 overs
A single for Hashmatulla at cover, where Short misfields but doesn’t allow a second.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:50 AM
Atal hit six
Zampa is greeted back into the attack with a maximum by Atal.
He steps out, doesn’t really middle it but the ball still just sails over the boundary at long-off.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:48 AM
Nathan Ellis comes back
Keeps hitting the deck hard, and just two singles from the over.
AFG 131/3 after 27 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:45 AM
Short continues
Just three singles from the over.
AFG 129/3 after 26 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:40 AM
Atal continues to find boundaries
Atal continues to find boundaries. Pulls the ball straight to midwicket for four.
10 runs came in that over.
AFG 126/3 after 25 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:33 AM
Atal gets to his half-century
Atal comes down the track and goes over long on. That’s fifty for him as well.
Shahidi too comes down the track and gets an inside edge past keeper for a lucky four.
AFG 113/3 after 23 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:30 AM
100 comes for Afghanistan
Feb 28, 2025, 10:25 AM
Matthew Short into the attack
Just a single came in that over.
AFG 94/3 after 20 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:21 AM
Hashmatullah Shahidi at the crease
Six runs off the over.
AFG 93/3 after 19 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:20 AM
Rahmat departs
Maxwell comes into the attack and takes Rahmat's wicket.
Outside edge straight to keeper. Sharp catch.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:18 AM
AFG 87/2 after 18 overs
A full toss by Zampa and Atal hits it over mid off for four.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:17 AM
Atal trying to hit boundary
Atal has been working the ball around the ground but the boundaries have dried up.
An interesting phase of play this after the introduction of spinners.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:10 AM
Spinners controlling the scoring rate
Spinners have once again controlled the scoring rate ever since they have come into the attack. Four runs in the last 12 balls.
AFG 75/2 after 16 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:06 AM
Maiden over from Maxwell
AFG 71/2 after 15 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:05 AM
Rahmat Shah comes at four
Rahmat Shah is off the mark with a single.
AFG 71/2 after 14 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:02 AM
Zadran departs
Adam Zampa takes Zadran's wicket.
Wide ball outside off, Zadran chases it but cuts it straight to backward point. He falls for 22.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:00 AM
Glenn Maxwell into the attack
Maxwell is getting the ball turn. Seven runs have come in the last 12 balls.
AFG 70/1 after 13 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 10:00 AM
AFG 68/1 after 12 overs
Just five runs from the over
Feb 28, 2025, 9:53 AM
Singles are coming regularly
Afghanistan’s scoring rate has been pretty good and the singles are coming regularly as well.
AFG 63/1 after 11 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:50 AM
Johnson continues
On the pads and Atal tucks it away towards fine leg for four.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:47 AM
End of powerplay
AFG 54/1 after first powerplay of the game.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:44 AM
Nathan Ellis into the attack
Change in bowling, Nathan Ellis into the attack. Starts with a down the leg wide. Lose delivery, half-tracker outside off and Zadran punishes it towards cover for four.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:43 AM
AFG 48/1 after 9 overs
Seven runs came in that over.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:41 AM
Another four from Atal's bat
Atal continues to look for boundaries. Four! On the pads and Atal tickles it away fine.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:38 AM
AFG 41/1 after 8 overs
Now Atal drives past point and gets two runs more.
Eight runs from the over.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:35 AM
Zadran gets his first boundary
Now Zadran gets his first boundary as he drives towards cover point, opening the face of the bat.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:33 AM
Three more runs
Another push to the cover region and Atal gets three more runs.
Nine runs from the over.
AFG 33/1 after 7 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:32 AM
Atal finally gets boundary
Atal connects the ball well and drives the ball through the cover for four! A very good looking shot.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:30 AM
Atal trying really hard to counter-attack
Atal has been trying really hard to counter-attack but the swing has made it difficult for him to score.
He gets an outside edge but falls just short of the first slip!
AFG 24/1 after 6 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:25 AM
AFG 23/1 after 5
It has been a bit tough for the batters but the extras have helped the Afghans get some runs on the board.
Despite plays and misses, they are now 23/1 after 5 overs.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:16 AM
It is swinging MILES
Unpredictable from Spencer Johnson.
In his second over, he first nipped one back in which missed the stumps by inches and went for four byes.
Then, he sent one down the leg side for another four byes. The next ball he was right on the money and missed the edge of Sediq narrowly.
Afghanistan 18/1 after 3.
Feb 28, 2025, 9:06 AM
Gurbaz goes for duck | AFG 3/1
Spencer Johnson with an inswinging yorker gets Rahmanullah Gurbaz on duck.
It was a bit like Mitchell Starc and he was able to go under the bat of Gurbaz.
The ball had hit Gurbaz's toe and went on to hit the stumps.
Afghanistan 3/1
Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM
Australia Playing XI
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM
Afghanistan Playing XI
Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:47 AM
Toss Update | Afghanistan wins the toss, elects to bat
Both captains are in the middle - Hashmatullah Shahidi and Steve Smith.
Afghanistan wins the toss and elects to bat.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:05 AM
Form Guide | Afghanistan
Afghanistan Recent Matches Overview
February 26, 2025 – 8th Match, Group B vs England: Afghanistan won by 8 runs
February 21, 2025 – 3rd Match, Group B vs South Africa: South Africa won by 107 runs
December 21, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)
December 19, 2024 – 2nd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 232 runs
December 17, 2024 – 1st ODI vs Zimbabwe: No result
Afghanistan has won 3 of its last 5 matches, including a crucial victory against England.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:03 AM
Form Guide | Australia
Australia Recent Matches Overview
February 25, 2025 – 7th Match, Group B vs South Africa: Match abandoned without a ball bowled
February 22, 2025 – 4th Match, Group B vs England: Australia won by 5 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
February 14, 2025 – 2nd ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 174 runs
February 12, 2025 – 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 49 runs
November 10, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Pakistan: Pakistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)
Australia has won only 1 of its last 5 matches, with losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Feb 28, 2025, 8:00 AM
Afghanistan vs Australia: Head-to-head stats
Afghanistan have never beaten Australia in ODI format. In the four matches they have played against each other in the format, Australia have won all of them.
Feb 28, 2025, 7:58 AM
How to watch the match?
Fans from India can watch the Afghanistan vs Australia match LIVE on Star Sports TV Channel and also on Jio Hotstar Channel with a paid subscription.
Here is how the scenarios are currently in Group B.
Ryan RIckleton's maiden ODI ton helped SA beat Afghanistan. Image | Associated Press
We can check from the points table that South Africa are leading the Group B now with 3 points and a positive net run rate of 2.140. Meantime, Australia are following them with the same amount of points but a lesser NRR of 0.475.
On the other hand, Afghanistan are third with 2 points and a negative NRR of -0.990 with England getting knocked out of the tournament already.
Australia vs Afghanistan - 28 February 2025 - Lahore
England vs South Africa - 1st March 2025 - Karachi
How can Afghanistan qualify for semis of Champions Trophy 2025?
As per the current situation, here are the below things that can happen.
If Australia and South Africa win
If both Australia and South Africa win against their opponents, they will qualify with five points each. That means, for Afghanistan to stay in the competition, they will have to beat Australia by any means.
If Australia and England win
If Australia win against Afghanistan and England win against South Africa, Aussies will reach the semis with five points while South Africa will qualify as the second best from Group B.
If Afghanistan and South Africa win
If the Afghans beat Australia, and South Africa also beat England, then South Affrica will qualify as the group topper with five points and Afghanistan with four points will also qualify as the second best.
If Afghanistan and England win
This is the most ideal situation for Afghanistan. If they can beat Australia and the England beat South Africa, Afghanistan will qualify as the group topper and the second position between Australia and South Africa will be decided on NRR.
South Africa are ahead in NRR at the points and this means for them to not qualify England will have to win with a big margin.
If Afghanistan vs Australia is washed out
That is where everything gets complicated. If Afghanistan vs Australia gets washed out due to rain, Australia with four points will qualify.
Then if South Africa gets beaten by England, both South Africa and Afghanistan will finish with three points. But, with the NRR advantage the Porteas have, they will likely to qualify from Group B. However, if South Africa win, they will qualify as the group topper with five points.
England vs Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Inglis and Aussie batters chased down biggest target of ICC ODI events
Josh Inglis's maiden ODI ton and fifties from Alex Carey and Matthew Short helped Australia make the highest successful chase in ICC Men's ODI event's history.
Australia started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign on a winning note as they chased down the highest successful chase in tournament history. Australia chased down England's 352-run target with 15 balls remaining in the match. Jos Inglishwas the star of the show with his maiden ODI ton during the chase.
Ben Duckett dismantled the Australian bowling lineup with a recurrent breaking 165, the highest score by a better in Champions Trophy history. But, Australia ensured they made the highest successful chase in ICC Men's ODI events. Here's everything you need to know from the England vs Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match.
Smith decided to bowl keeping the dew in mind
Alex Carey took a stunning catch to dismiss Phil Salt. Image | ICC
Steve Smith won the toss and decided to field first keeping the dew in mind. Ben Dwarshuis dismissed Phil Salt early in the second over. Despite a flying start to the innings, Dwarshuis was able to send back Jamie Smith for 15 in the sixth over as England found them at 43/2 after 5.2 overs.
But, then it was the partnership between Ben Duckett and Joe Root that took them to a record-breaking score. They first accumulated well to get their first fifty from 48 balls while Ben Duckett completed his fifty off 49 balls.
Root and Duckett build a solid partnership for England
Joe Root did his part by completing his fifty from 56 balls as they reached the 100-run mark for the third wicket in 94 balls. But, post his fifty, Duckett changed his gear instantly and his skill against the Aussie spinners was a masterclass from the southpaw opener.
But, after Root was trapped in front of the wicket by Adam Zampa, Ben Duckett lost support from the other end and England missed out on maybe 10 or 15 runs at the end.
Duckett's 3rd ODI ton gave England the momentum
Ben Duckett scored the highest score by a batter in Champions Trophy History. Image | ICC/Getty Images
Duckett went on to get his 100 off 95 balls, his 3rd ODI ton. Then he changed to fifth gear alongside captain Jos Buttler. Although Buttler was caught in the deep by Nathan Ellis off Glenn Maxwell, Duckett continued his slog and soon reached 150 off 134 balls.
He was finally dismissed by Marnus Labuschagne on 165 off 143 balls. Archer added a quick 21 from 10 balls to take England's total to 351/8 in the first inning.
Australia got off a flyer but lost wickets early
Mark Wood dismissed Steve Smith with a 150 kmph delivery. Image | ESPN Cricinfo
Just like England, Australia got a quick start but lost two wickets early. Travis Head was dismissed on 6 off 5 by Jofra Archer in the 4th over while Steven Smith was dismissed by Mark Wood for 5 in the next over. But, then, Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short stitched a 95-run partnership to give others a platform to chase down the total.
With both Labushcagne and Short finding the gaps easily, they reached the 100-run mark in the 15th over and kept themselves in the chase. Meantime, Short reached his fifty in 47 balls but Marnus was outfoxed by Adil Rashid on 47 off 45 balls in the 20th over.
Though it looked a bit tough for the Aussies, who had not won a game in the ICC Champions Trophy in 16 years, they had batters with immense talent in the middle order.
Carey and Inglis steadied the ship
Jos Inglis, born in England, always had the game to win games for Australia, but needed to prove that now. Meantime, they had their most in-form batter in Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell to come as well.
Livingstone dismissed Short (63) with a sharp caught and bowled chance in the 23rd over and it was then the partnership between Inglis and Carey that took Australia near to home. For the 5th wicket, they put up 100 runs in just 78 balls while Inglis completed his fifty. Australia reached the 250-run mark in the 38th over and Carey also completed his fifty off 49 balls.
Maxwell and Inglis finished things off
Josh Inglis celebrating his maiden ODI ton. Image | Associated Press
However post Carey's (69) dismissal in the 42nd over, things could have gone either way but Glenn Maxwell made sure he made things easier for them. Inglis eased to his maiden ODI ton while Maxwell started hitting the ball powerplay from the other end.
In the end, it was a comfortable win for the Aussies as Inglis remained unbeaten on 120 from 86 balls while Maxwell was undefeated on 32 from 15 balls. All the English bowlers except for Adil Rashid went more than 6 runs an over and that made it hard for Jos Buttler to control the game.
Buttler accepted that the score was good from but the dew affected more than he had expected. "Both sides played well, credit to Australia. fantastic innings from Inglis. 350 is a pretty good score, but it was wet and the dew was a worry," Buttler said.
"The guys were outstanding. Matt Short played beautifully, Travis and I the only two to miss out," Australian captain Steve Smith said in the post-match presentation.
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