AFG vs ENG: Afghanistan continues to make history! England were defeated in the death overs at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and eliminated from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Afghanistan is being hailed as the rising team in the Champions Trophy. After posting a total over 300 runs, they remained in control throughout the match. England also made a strong start, claiming an early wicket when Phil Salt (12) misjudged the length of the ball, allowing Azmatullah Omarzai to strike first for Afghanistan.

The game saw plenty of twists and turns, but the spinners took control, bowling 18 consecutive overs from the 17th to the 34th and maintaining tight pressure. However, it was Azmatullah Omarzai who truly made the difference, claiming the key wickets of Jos Buttler (38) and Joe Root (120) in the final overs. He finished off the innings in style, securing a remarkable five-wicket haul and leading his team to a thrilling 8-run victory.

Meanwhile, England’s star batsman Joe Root scored an ODI century after almost six years, giving his best effort. However, his knock of 120 off 111 balls wasn’t enough, as he was dismissed.

England will be deeply disappointed right now, as their ODI form continues to decline instead of improving. Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, they have struggled to perform as a united team in crucial matches.

Ben Duckett made a solid start, but after losing a couple of early wickets, Joe Root showcased his batting skills in the middle overs. However, both Duckett and Buttler failed to capitalize on their strong beginnings. Root went on to score a brilliant century but was battling fitness issues and eventually fell at a crucial moment in the death overs, leaving too much work for the bowlers to do.

AFG vs ENG: Ist Inning

Earlier in the match, Afghanistan’s top order struggled and lost early wickets, except Ibrahim Zadran, who carried the team’s hopes despite the collapse, as they were reduced to 30-odd runs for 3 wickets in the first 10 overs. Jofra Archer was the one who dismantled Afghanistan’s top order.

Ibrahim Zadran played an extraordinary innings, blasting 177 off 146 balls, including 12 fours and 6 sixes. Alongside him, Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi each made important contributions, scoring in the 40s. Their collective effort helped Afghanistan to set a challenging total of 320.

ALSO READ: New Zealand Storms Into The Semi-Final Of Champions Trophy

AUS vs SA: The seventh match of the 2025 Champions Trophy was called off due to heavy rainfall at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The highly energetic showdown between Australia and South Africa has been canceled due to continuous rain in Rawalpindi, even before the toss. This match was crucial for both teams as their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals of the tournament.

Unfortunately, this marks the first washout of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Ultimately, the rain persisted, and both teams were awarded one point each due to the match being deemed a no-result. 

As a result of the washout, South Africa remains at the top of Group B, with Australia in second. Both teams are on three points, but the Proteas hold the advantage with a better net run rate.

Australia’s last group match is scheduled against Afghanistan on Friday, Feb 28, in Lahore, while South Africa will face England in Karachi on Saturday.

These matches will determine the teams advancing to the semi-finals from Group B, as New Zealand and India have already secured their spots from Group A.

Meanwhile, England must win both of their remaining matches to secure qualification in the Semi-final. A single defeat will see them eliminated.

ALSO READ: New Zealand Storms Into The Semi-Final Of Champions Trophy

BAN Vs NZ: New Zealand comfortably defeated Bangladesh by 5 wickets, securing their spot in the semi-finals.

This victory not only guarantees New Zealand’s place in the semi-finals but also assures India’s qualification, leaving only the battle for the top spot in the group.

Pakistan’s long-awaited ICC tournament at home concludes in disappointment, as they, along with Bangladesh, become the first two teams to be bowled out. Meanwhile, the Black Caps maintain their dominance in this format, appearing more focused and determined than ever to claim the trophy.

New Zealand found themselves in early trouble, losing Will Young (0) and Kane Williamson (5) for low scores. However, Rachin Ravindra, returning after a head injury, joined forces with Devon Conway to steady the innings. The pair looked comfortable, building a vital partnership before Conway (30) was dismissed after a solid start. 

Ravindra (112), though, was in exceptional form, hitting a magnificent fourth ODI century and becoming the first Kiwi to score four hundred in ICC events. Meanwhile, Tom Latham (55) continued his excellent form, contributing a well-played fifty.

Although both were dismissed before the end, Glenn Phillips (21*) and Michael Bracewell (11*) ensured a smooth finish, guiding New Zealand to a comfortable victory with plenty of overs remaining.

Bangladesh simply didn’t have enough runs to defend. Taskin Ahmed gave them a perfect start with a wicket in the first over, and Nahid Rana’s dismissal of Kane Williamson lifted their spirits. However, they couldn’t capitalize on that early success, as a couple of significant partnerships allowed New Zealand to seize control of the game. A missed run-out opportunity when Ravindra was in his 20s, followed by another dropped catch, proved them expensive.

Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, and Rishad Hossain each took a single wicket apiece. 

BAN Vs NZ: 1st inning

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh struggled once again to post a large total. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto fought valiantly with a determined (77) but lacked consistent support from his teammates. Jaker Ali (45) contributed with a useful innings, while Tanzid Hasan (24) and Rishad Hossain (26) made minor contributions, but it wasn’t enough to make a significant impact.

For New Zealand, Michael Bracewell was the star bowler for New Zealand, claiming four wickets (4-26), while the pacers worked together to take another four, effectively restricting Bangladesh to 236/9.

ALSO READ: PAK Vs IND: India Seals 6-Wicket Victory In Champions Trophy

NZ Vs BAN: New Zealand is all set to face off against Bangladesh, with their fiery spirit and determination on Monday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh finds themselves in a vulnerable spot, desperately requiring a victory after a hard-fought defeat against India. Their campaign is on the line, with a strong New Zealand team standing in their way, having crushed hosts Pakistan in their opening match.

Although the Black Caps are missing Rachin Ravindra due to injury, their batting lineup is still extremely strong. Will Young and Tom Latham made a statement with impressive centuries, while Devon Conway and the ever-reliable Kane Williamson provide additional strength to the top order.

Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell bring significant firepower to the team, with Phillips already proving his value in the Champions Trophy. Captain Mitchell Santner has excelled not only in his leadership but also with his precise, economical spin bowling, which is further complemented by the efforts of Phillips and Bracewell during the middle overs.

The pace bowling unit, spearheaded by Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke, have been formidable, delivering powerful performances both with the new ball and in the death overs.

About Bangladesh

For Bangladesh, the situation is clear: win or face elimination. Their batting faltered against India, but Tawhid Hridoy’sbattling century and Jacker Ali’s half-century demonstrated their resilience in tough situations. However, against a team like New Zealand, the top order must step up and deliver.

Soumya Sarkar, who dazzled with a remarkable 169 against New Zealand in 2023, will aim to repeat that brilliance, while Tanzid Hasan has displayed flashes of brilliance. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto will need to lead from the front, and the presence of Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah will be vital to their success.

With the ball, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Tanzim Hasan Sakib provide a blend of pace and skill, while Nahid Rana could bring additional pace and aggression. In the spin department, Rishad Hossain’s leg-spin and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s all-round capabilities will be crucial assets.

This match is not just about points, it’s a fight for survival. New Zealand aims to secure a semi-final berth, while Bangladesh is desperate to keep their tournament hopes alive.

ALSO READ: PAK Vs IND: India Seals 6-Wicket Victory In Champions Trophy

PAK vs IND: India thrashed Pakistan by 6 wickets in a dominant Champions Trophy encounter on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India has claimed the bragging rights in this fierce rivalry, leveling the head-to-head record with Pakistan at 3-3 in Champions Trophy encounters. Meanwhile, Pakistan finds itself on the edge, with the defending champions at risk of being knocked out before their final group match.

Pakistan’s total of 242 wasn’t big, but India had struggled previously when chasing just under 230 against Bangladesh.

Rohit Sharma once again gave India a quick start but was dismissed quickly. Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli then built a steady partnership. However, Gill fell short of another half-century, dismissed by a stunning delivery.

Kohli, however, took charge and maintained the momentum. He had Shreyas Iyer at the other end, who started offcautiously. Together, they weathered a phase of tight bowling and then both players launched an aggressive attack on the bowlers.

The chase took a dramatic turn towards the end as Iyer was dismissed after his half-century, and Hardik Pandya came in only to be dismissed swiftly.

India had completed their job, but there was still one more milestone left. Kohli made history by breaking several records in this game, surpassing 14,000 runs and becoming the third-highest run-scorer in men’s international cricket, behind only Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. To top it all off, he hit the winning runs and brought up his 51st ODI century. 

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi was on the hunt for wickets, but he was a bit too full, allowing boundaries to be hit before bouncing back strongly to dismiss the Indian captain. Apart from that, the Pacers didn’t get many chances. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled a fine spell, claiming the crucial wicket of Gill. Khushdil Shah also picked up a wicket, and Shaheen Afridi struck again later on.

PAK vs IND: 1st Inning

Earlier in the game, Mohammad Rizwan chose to bat first. Pakistan started much better than in their previous match but lost both their openers quickly during the powerplay.

Mohammad Rizwan had to rebuild the innings alongside Saud Shakeel, but the pair took some time to find their rhythm. Saud looked in good form, and Rizwan also started to capitalize later, but losing both settled batters proved costly. In the end, they limped to a total of 241 runs.

For India, Hardik Pandya stood out among the seamers, but the other bowlers also delivered strong performances. Kuldeep Yadav made a key breakthrough by dismantling the middle order at a crucial time.

ALSO READ: AUS Vs ENG: Australia’s Highest-Ever Chased In Champions Trophy History

AUS Vs ENG: Australia, the World Champions, make an impressive return, securing a remarkable win by completing the highest-ever ODI chase in ICC Champions Trophy history.

Australia delivered a brilliant performance under pressure, further solidifying their supremacy over their arch-rivals England, who now find themselves in a difficult position in their upcoming matches to stay in contention for a semifinal spot.

Australia faced early setbacks, losing wickets early on, but Matthew Short and Marnus Labuschagne fought back, putting together a crucial 95-run partnership to stabilize the innings.

Marnus Labuschagne (47) anchored the middle overs, while Short (63) crafted an elegant fifty, but both fell in rapid succession, leaving the chase hanging in the balance.

Following their dismissals, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis shifted the momentum with aggressive fifties and an outstanding century partnership, maintaining the required run rate.

Carey was dismissed for 69, but Glenn Maxwell’s (32*) explosive performance and Inglis’s (120*) stunning maiden ODI century secured a memorable victory, highlighting Australia’s depth and resilience in spectacular fashion.

England will be disappointed with their bowling and fielding efforts. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood made early breakthroughs, but they couldn’t build on their success, allowing Australia to recover. Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone gave England a glimmer of hope with crucial wickets, but they ultimately failed to capitalize on the opportunity.

Archer’s expensive drop of Carey only worsened their troubles. Although Brydon Carse eventually dismissed him, but the damage was already done.

AUS Vs ENG: 1st Inning

Earlier in the match, England posted a huge total, driven by Ben Duckett’s (165) incredible century, Joe Root’s graceful fifty (68), and Jofra Archer’s fiery finish.

Australia had their share of success with the ball, as Ben Dwarshuis spearheaded the effort with three vital wickets. Adam Zampa and Marnus Labuschagne each picked up two wickets, while Glenn Maxwell contributed with one, helping to rein in the scoring towards the end.

ALSO READ: South Africa Trashes Afghanistan In Champions Trophy Clash

AUS vs ENG: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is gearing up for an intense clash as England and Australia lock horns on Saturday at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Australia and England, two of cricket’s fiercest rivals, will be eager to kick off their campaign with a dominant win.

Under the leadership of Jos Buttler, England is looking to make a statement win after their heavy 3-0 ODI series loss to India.

With Jofra Archer and Mark Wood fully fit, England’s pace attack now appears far more intimidating. The ever-reliable Joe Root adds valuable experience, while Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone bring an explosive edge to the batting lineup.

Ben Duckett and Phil Salt form an aggressive opening pair, while the promising Jamie Smith will be eager to make an impact as well.

Adil Rashid, the spin maestro, will play a crucial role in restricting Australia’s explosive batting, but it’s up to Buttler to lead from the front and revive England’s fortunes in white-ball cricket.

Australia enters the tournament facing their own set of challenges. Regular captain Pat Cummins, along with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh, all sidelined, leaving the Aussies with an inexperienced bowling attack.

Despite the challenges, under Steve Smith’s leadership, Australia remains a formidable side. With Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey stabilizing the batting, Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell poised to ignite the attack, they are still a dangerous side.

Spencer Johnson takes on the responsibility of filling Starc’s role, while Adam Zampa and Tanveer Sangha will need to weave their magic on a pitch likely to favor the batters. 

• The Gaddafi Stadium is set to offer plenty of runs, but under the lights, the pacers may still have a crucial impact on the game.

AUS vs ENG: Squads

AUSTRALIA

Steve Smith (C), Travis Head, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Sean Abbott, and Adam Zampa.

ENGLAND

Jos Buttler (C), Phil Salt, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Mark Wood, and Jofra Archer.

Also Read: South Africa Trashes Afghanistan In Champions Trophy Clash

AFG Vs SA: South Africa put on a dominant display in the Champions Trophy, crushing Afghanistan by a massive 107 runs at National Bank Stadium in Karachi. 

Afghanistan had a rough outing in this game. Their fielding was below par, and their bowling couldn’t make an impact. To make matters worse, their batting collapsed against South Africa’s strong bowling attack.

Rahmat Shah fought a lone battle, scoring a determined 90 off 92 balls, including 9 boundaries and a six. However, his impressive knock came to a heartbreaking end when he was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada, just shy of his well-deserved century.

No other batter managed to score more than 20 runs, as they all faltered under pressure. In the end, Afghanistan suffered a heavy defeat, losing by a significant margin of 107 runs.

For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada was the star performer, finishing with 3 wickets for just 36 runs. Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder each claimed 2 wickets, while Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj took one wicket apiece.

AFG Vs SA: 1st Inning

Earlier in the game, South Africa got a decent start. Although Tony de Zorzi was dismissed early for just 11 off 11 balls, Ryan Rickelton played a brilliant knock, carrying his innings through to score a stunning century.

South Africa’s top order was exceptional, with four out of their five top batters producing memorable innings. Ryan Rickelton led the charge with a century, scoring 103 off 106 balls, while captain Temba Bavuma (58 off 76), Rassie van der Dussen (52 off 46), and Aiden Markram (52 off 36) each blasted a half-century.

Their combined effort led South Africa to post a big total of 315/6 in 50 overs. 

For Afghanistan, Mohammad Nabi claimed two wickets for 58 runs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Noor Ahmad each took one wicket.

Also Read: IND Vs BAN: Bangladesh Falls To A 6-Wicket Defeat In Champions Trophy

IND vs BAN: India started their Champions Trophy campaign with a commanding performance, defeating Bangladesh by 6 wickets in the opening match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India have made a strong start in the Champions Trophy! While the win wasn’t a dominating one, it was comfortable enough. As for Bangladesh, they showed great fight with the ball, but the game was effectively lost during the first 10 overs of their innings.

Set to chase down 229, India confidently began their innings, and that confidence was evident when Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill struck some early boundaries. Rohit took the aggressive approach as always, while Gill played some elegant shots of his own.

The pair put on 69 runs before Rohit was dismissed for 41 by Taskin Ahmed, just as the first powerplay was coming to an end.

India capitalized on the middle overs, scoring quickly, something Bangladesh couldn’t manage during their innings. Meanwhile, Rishad Hossain bowled a brilliant spell, dismissing Virat Kohli for 22 of 38 deliveries. 

Following that, Mustafizur Rahman got Shreyas Iyer out for 15 runs, but Gill ensured he took on the responsibility ofanchoring the innings.

Shortly after the 30th over, Rishad claimed the wicket of Axar Patel, leaving India at 144/4, still requiring a solid partnership to secure the win. Gill played a brilliant knock to bring up a century, further solidifying his position as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter.

KL Rahul also played a key role towards the end. Reaching the 40s, the duo formed an unbroken partnership of 87 runs, guiding India to victory.

Also Read: Fakhar Zaman Injury: A Major Setback For Pakistan Ahead Of India’s Clash

IND vs BAN: 1st Inning

Earlier in the match, Bangladesh got off to a disastrous start with the bat, and India took full advantage with a clinical bowling display. Mohammad Shami was the standout performer, continuing his impressive form in ICC ODI tournaments, finishing with a remarkable five-wicket haul.

The Bangladeshi top-order faced heavy criticism once again as they played some careless shots. During the middle overs, the Indian spinners did exactly what was expected of them.

However, Towhid Hridoy and Jacker Ali stepped up to rescue the Tigers. After both had received a lifeline, the pair mounted a strong fightback. Hridoy smashed his first ODI century, while Jacker Ali added a valuable fifty, helping Bangladesh reach a total of 228 but it was not proved enough. 

Also Read: The Clash Of Rivals In Champions Trophy 2025

Fakhar Zaman Injury: The ICC has given its approval for Imam-ul-Haq to replace injured Fakhar Zaman in the Champions Trophy squad ahead of Pakistan’s crucial match against India on 23rd February in Dubai.

After young left-handed Pakistani batter Saim Ayub was sidelined from the Champions Trophy squad due to injury, Pakistan has now suffered another significant blow with opening batter Fakhar Zaman also ruled out for the remaining matches of the tournament following an injury sustained during the game against New Zealand.

Fakhar’s injury has dealt a major blow to Pakistan’s chances of defending their Champions Trophy title.

Fakhar Zaman sustained the injury on only the second ball of the tournament while chasing a cover drive from Will Young off Shaheen Shah Afridi.

He was unable to open the innings, not because of his injury, but due to ICC playing regulations, and instead batted at number four.

After several visits from the team doctor and taking painkillers, Fakhar Zaman came out to bat. However, he couldn’tproduce a standout performance due to ongoing discomfort, getting out for 24 off 41 balls.

Following Fakhar’s injury, Pakistan has brought in Imam-ul-Haq, who last played for the national team in December 2023. Now, Imam will travel to Dubai with the team ahead of their crucial match against India on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan’s Updated Squad

Mohammad Rizwan (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

ALSO READ: IND Vs BAN: The Clash Of Rivals In Champions Trophy 2025