Buoyant Afghanistan Plot Australia Downfall After Dumping Out England | Cricket Information

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on Thursday focused one other massive scalp within the type of Australia after knocking England out of the Champions Trophy, with a semi-final spot the prize. The Champions Trophy debutants despatched England crashing out of the 50-over match with an exciting eight-run victory in Lahore on Wednesday. Afghanistan equally shocked then holders England on the 2023 World Cup in India. Subsequent they play world champions Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday of their closing group match and should win to succeed in the final 4 of the eight-nation match.

“Clearly a win like this boosts each workforce’s confidence and strengthens them,” Shahidi mentioned after Afghanistan despatched England packing.

“Our morale has elevated much more.”

The skipper added: “The upcoming match shall be essential for each groups within the race for the semi-finals.

“Australia is a troublesome and good workforce. I’ve mentioned this in earlier conferences as properly — that we got here right here to play good cricket.

“We are going to attempt to play a constructive recreation. Similar to we defeated England right now, we hope to beat Australia as properly.

“We cannot put that stress on ourselves by pondering an excessive amount of in regards to the semi-final qualification.”

Rain is forecast in Lahore however even a washout will maintain Afghanistan in competition of reaching the semi-finals, however they may then should rely upon different outcomes or internet run-rate.

Zadran sparkles

Afghanistan, a rising pressure in white-ball cricket, and Australia have performed 4 ODIs beforehand with the Australians profitable all of them.

On the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had Australia on the ropes at 91-7 when a cramping Glenn Maxwell hammered an unbeaten 201 to tug off victory in sizzling and humid Mumbai.

Afghanistan roared again to beat Australia eventually yr’s T20 World Cup and so they reached the semi-finals in a landmark achievement.

Requested in regards to the risk that the big-hitting all-rounder Maxwell poses, Shahidi mentioned: “I do know that he performed very well within the 2023 World Cup, however that is a part of historical past.”

Afghanistan suffered a 107-run hammering to South Africa of their Champions Trophy opener final week however bounced again to submit 325-7 in opposition to England.

Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177, the best particular person innings in Champions Trophy historical past, after Afghanistan selected to bat and had been struggling on a precarious 37-3.

In reply, England had been all out for 317 to undergo their second straight defeat.

The 23-year-old Zadran, who scored 17 in opposition to South Africa, is again in motion after an extended lay-off following ankle surgical procedure.

“Despite the fact that he was away from cricket for six months, it is by no means simple for a participant to return from damage and make such a robust comeback in a high-stakes match,” mentioned Shahidi.

“I’m extraordinarily pleased for him as a result of he’s a really proficient and hard-working participant.”

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