Afghanistan will be playing against Australia, not just Maxwell: Hashmatullah Shahidi

LAHORE: Afghanistan cricket team captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has assured that his team is well-prepared to face Australia on Friday, after presenting England with a thrilling defeat which knocked them out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“The match against Australia will be highly competitive for cricket because Australia is a very strong team, which is why we are physically and mentally prepared for the match,” said Shahidi.

He admitted that while spinners could not do much in Karachi, Lahore appeared to offer a better pitch.

Ibrahim Zadran’s record 177 powers Afghanistan to 326 against England

Glenn Maxwell who has a reputation as the fastest scorers in international cricket, is not the only threat to team Afghanistan. “Do you think we are preparing only for Maxwell? We are preparing and playing against the entire Australian team,” Shahidi asked.

Wednesday match against England in Lahore saw Ibrahim Zadran produce the highest score (177) in the tournament’s history to help Afghanistan overcome Jofra Archer’s three early wickets and rack up 325-7.

Azmatullah Omarzai, who finished with impressive figures of 5-58, ended Root’s classy knock when the batter fell caught behind trying to play the ramp shot.

Afghanistan, coached by former England batter Jonathan Trott, must beat Australia on Friday to make the last four.