The Australia National Cricket Team is currently taking on the Afghanistan National Cricket Team in the must-win group match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Unfortunately, Australia suffered an injury scare for Adam Zampa on Friday (February 28).
This is a must-win game for both Australia and Afghanistan to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A victory in Lahore for either Afghanistan or Australia would take them to the top four from Group B on Friday.
Adam Zampa leaves field with possible niggle in Afghanistan vs Australia
Meanwhile, Australia faces a setback as star spinner Adam Zampa walked off the field due to a possible niggle. Jake Fraser-McGurk has stepped in as Zampa’s substitute. The Australian spinner was absent from the field for the two overs but returned back to the attack in the 28th over.
Before leaving the field, Adam Zampa ended the 67-run partnership between Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal. Zampa bowled a short and wide delivery that tempted Ibrahim Zadran into a loose shot, and he ended up slicing it to backward point.
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Marnus Labuschagne, who was stationed at the point, made no mistake, taking a simple catch to end Zadran’s innings at 22 runs off 28 balls in Lahore. Well, Zampa made a comeback with a bang after an injury scare, breaking another key stand between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai.
Adam Zampa makes stunning comeback against Afghanistan
Shahidi, who was already struggling to accelerate, attempted a ramp shot by shuffling across the crease, but Zampa cleverly adjusted his line, pushing the delivery flatter and wider. The extra bounce deceived Shahidi, causing the ball to hit high on his bat and skew towards backward square leg.
Marnus Labuschagne, who was positioned perfectly at the backward square leg, made no mistake as he completed a simple catch to put Afghanistan in trouble. Currently, the Afghan team’s score reads 238/8 in 46 overs as they are aiming for their first-ever win over Australia in the ODI cricket.
However, they’re actually in danger of being bowled out by the Kangaroos in the ongoing clash. Meanwhile, Australia started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in style, pulling off a record-breaking chase against England, as they won the game by five wickets. However, their momentum was disrupted when rain forced them to share points with South Africa.
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A win takes either Australia or Afghanistan to the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Both Australia and South Africa’s teams now have three points each and sit at the top of the Group B points table. On the other hand, Afghanistan had a rough start, suffering a heavy 107-run defeat to South Africa in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
But they made a stunning comeback, securing a thrilling 8-run victory over England, which ended the Three Lions’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025. Now, the winner of the ongoing group match between Australia and Afghanistan will secure a spot in the semi-finals.