Champions Trophy, AFG vs AUS: Check Afghanistan, Australia playing 11 today

For Australia, a win would guarantee their place in the semifinals and eliminate Afghanistan from contention with a game remaining in the group stage.

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first in their highly anticipated encounter against Australia. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi cited the used surface as a key factor in the decision, expecting the pitch to slow down in the second half, which could bring Afghanistan's spinners into play. 

Check Afghanistan vs Australia live full scorecard here

 

 

Shahidi backs batting first on a worn-out pitch

  "We will bat first because the wicket looks good, but it's a used pitch. England and Australia have already played on this surface, so we expect it to slow down later. Hopefully, our spinners will take advantage of the conditions in the second innings," Shahidi said at the toss.

 

 

The Afghanistan skipper expressed satisfaction with their previous match performance and highlighted the team’s specific plans against Australia. "We were happy with how we played last time. We’ve worked on correcting mistakes from the England game, and we’re hoping to execute them well today," he added. Afghanistan have retained the same playing XI.

 

Smith confident despite losing the toss 

Australian captain Steven Smith admitted that he would have preferred to bowl first, given the overhead conditions and the expected dew factor later in the game.

 

"We would have bowled first because of the uncertain overhead conditions and the dew factor. But the team is in good spirits, and we are ready for a competitive match. We’re coming in with intent and aggression and looking forward to the challenge," said Smith. Australia have also retained the same XI from their last game.

 

Playing XIs

  Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (w), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson.

 

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.