Afghanistan have won the toss and chosen to bat first against England in the eighth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium. Both teams are desperate for a victory in this must-win game to keep their chances of progressing in the tournament alive.
England’s lineup features captain Jos Buttler and experienced campaigners Joe Root and Jofra Archer, while Afghanistan will rely on captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, star spinner Rashid Khan, and wicketkeeper Rahmatullah Gurbaz to lead their charge.
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The weather forecast for Lahore is favorable, with clear skies and no rain expected throughout the game. Temperatures will remain comfortably in the 20s, ensuring perfect conditions for the players.
The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium is renowned for being batting-friendly, offering little for bowlers to work with. Flat conditions are likely to result in high scores, making this a prime opportunity for both sides to capitalize. The presence of dew in the second innings, as seen in the recent match between England and Australia, could make it even harder for bowlers to defend totals, further boosting the advantage for batters.
Given the conditions, both teams may have preferred to chase, but Afghanistan will now aim to post a formidable total in hopes of putting England under pressure in what could be another high-scoring affair.
