AFG vs ENG: The 8th game in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy will pit Afghanistan against England, who both lost in their respective first games. This match will be vital for either side’s chances of progression to the semi-finals, as they both come into it with the need to win. The game is set for February 26, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Importance of the Match
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With both Afghanistan and England losing in the opening games, there is no room for error. Moreover, the match between South Africa and Australia in Group B got washed out. Thus, both teams stamped a point each. So, both South Africa and Australia are currently on top of the table with three points each. In simple words, whichever of the two, Afghanistan and England, loses will be out of the race for the semi-finals.
AFG vs ENG Match Details
Match Number: 8
Date: 26th February 2025
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Teams: Afghanistan (AFG) vs England (ENG)
This eagerly awaited match will be a do-or-die for both teams as they will be fighting to stay in the tournament.
AFG vs ENG Team Prediction
Here is the proposed Dream11 fantasy team for the match between Afghanistan and England. It features the highest-scoring players of the two sides, following their form and consistency in the tournament.
Fantasy Team Selection
Wicketkeepers:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG)
Phil Salt (ENG)
Batsmen:
Jos Buttler (ENG)
Ben Duckett (ENG)
Rahmat Shah (AFG)
Joe Root (ENG)
All-rounders:
Rashid Khan (AFG)
Liam Livingstone (ENG)
Bowlers:
Mark Wood (ENG)
Noor Ahmed (AFG)
Fazalhaq Farooqi (AFG)
This blend ensures batting and bowling prowess in equilibrium, with adequate representation from top players in all departments. Prominent performers such as Rashid Khan, Mark Wood, and Joe Root will be relied upon to deliver valuable contributions.
Captain and Vice-Captain Picks
The captain and vice-captain choices can be the deciding factor for your Dream11 fantasy team. Below are the suggested picks on the basis of form and potential performance in the match.
First Choice:
Captain: Joe Root (ENG) – Root’s reliability and capacity to hold the innings together make him a good bet to captain your team.
Vice-Captain: Rashid Khan (AFG) – Rashid’s wicket-taking ability and capacity to hold the middle overs in check make him a good vice-captain.
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Second Choice:
Captain: Ben Duckett (ENG) – Duckett has been in good touch and can be a key player in the middle order for England.
Vice-Captain: Rahmat Shah (AFG) – Being a solid batsman and important player from Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah provides good returns as a vice-captain.
These captain and vice-captain picks will maximize your points by targeting influential match-winners from both sides.
Predicted Playing XI for AFG vs ENG
Both teams would look to play their best XI to grab a crucial victory. Following is the predicted XI for both Afghanistan and England
Afghanistan (AFG) Predicted XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
Rahmat Shah
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
Sediqullah Atal
Ibrahim Zadran
Gulbadin Naib
Azmatullah Omarzai
Mohammad Nabi
Rashid Khan
Fazalhaq Farooqi
Noor Ahmed
England (ENG) Predicted XI:
Phil Salt (wk)
Ben Duckett
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Jos Buttler (c)
Tom Banton
Liam Livingstone
Jamie Overton
Adil Rashid
Jofra Archer
Mark Wood
Both teams possess a good mix of experienced internationals and talented emerging players, so it is an intriguing encounter. Afghanistan will depend significantly on their main spinner Rashid Khan, whereas England will depend on their top-order batsmen such as Joe Root and Jos Buttler to get them over the line.
Key Players to Watch
Rashid Khan (AFG): With his exceptional leg-spin, Rashid will be one of the vital players in Afghanistan’s bowling department, and his wicket-taking ability in the middle overs will be essential.
Joe Root (ENG): Root’s batting consistency makes him one of the most reliable players for England. His leadership qualities also make him a valuable asset to the team.
Ben Duckett (ENG): Duckett has been in form and will be a valuable resource for England’s middle order in this make-or-break match.
Mark Wood (ENG): Wood’s speed and capacity for making breakthroughs at the most important times will be a key factor for England.
The AFG vs ENG contest is a make-or-break fixture for both teams in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Since both teams have endured early disappointments, their ticket to the semi-finals depends on this match. Fantasy players would do well to target key contributors such as Rashid Khan, Joe Root, and Ben Duckett to try and ensure a high score for themselves.
Disclaimer: This Dream11 forecast is done on the author’s own analysis, and it is advised that players use their own discretion while choosing their fantasy team.
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