Buoyant Afghans plot Australia downfall after dumping out England at Champions Trophy

Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on Thursday targeted another big scalp in the form of Australia after knocking England out of the Champions Trophy, with a semi-final spot the prize.

The Champions Trophy debutants sent England crashing out of the 50-over tournament with a thrilling eight-run victory in Lahore on Wednesday.

Afghanistan similarly stunned then holders England at the 2023 World Cup in India.

They play world champions Australia at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Friday in their final group match and must win to reach the last four of the eight-nation tournament.

“Obviously a win like this boosts every team’s confidence and strengthens them,” Shahidi said after Afghanistan sent England packing.

“Our morale has increased even more.”

The skipper added: “The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams in the race for the semi-finals.

“Australia is a tough and good team. I have said this in previous conferences as well -- that we came here to play good cricket.

“We will try to play a positive game. Just like we defeated England, we hope to beat Australia as well.

“We won’t put that pressure on ourselves by thinking too much about the semi-final qualification.”

Rain is forecast in Lahore but even a washout will keep Afghanistan in contention to reach the semi-finals, but they will then have to depend on other results or net run-rate.

Australia beat Ashes rivals England by five wickets in their opening match, then their game with South Africa was washed out without a ball being bowled. Another washout would send the Australians through.

Despite the uncertainty and rain also forcing them to train indoors, Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne said his side were “ready to go”.

“I think most of our preparation sort of came before the tournament,” he said.

The Afghans will again enjoy strong support in Lahore but Labuschagne said that will only spur on Steve Smith’s team.

“We’d love to win tomorrow and silence the crowd and really put that on,” said Labuschagne.

Zadran sparkles: Afghanistan, a growing force in white-ball cricket, and Australia have played four ODIs previously with the Australians winning all of them.

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

Afghanistan roared back to beat Australia at last year’s T20 World Cup and they reached the semi-finals in a landmark achievement.

The Afghans suffered a 107-run hammering to South Africa in their Champions Trophy opener last week but bounced back to post 325-7 against England.

Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177, the highest individual innings in Champions Trophy history, after Afghanistan chose to bat and were struggling on a precarious 37-3.

In reply, England were all out for 317 to suffer their second straight defeat.

The 23-year-old Zadran, who scored 17 against South Africa, is back in action after a long lay-off following ankle surgery.

“Even though he was away from cricket for six months, it’s never easy for a player to return from injury and make such a strong comeback in a high-stakes match,” said Shahidi.

“I am extremely happy for him because he is a very talented and hard-working player.”

‘They aren’t going to take us lightly’, coach Trott: Head Coach Trott lauded Afghanistan’s win over England to keep their semifinal hopes alive but wants his team to immediately shift their focus to the Australia showdown, where a win will seal their place in the knockouts.

“I’m going to make sure when they wake up tomorrow, they enjoy tonight, (but) wake up tomorrow ready for Australia. As soon as they wake up tomorrow, the focus is on Australia,” Trott said.

Agencies