Fri Feb 28 11:10:00 UTC 2025: **Afghanistan Sets Australia 274-Run Target in Crucial Champions Trophy Clash**

LAHORE, PAKISTAN – Afghanistan posted a challenging 273-run target for Australia in their crucial Champions Trophy 2025 encounter at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Afghanistan put up a respectable total despite some early setbacks. Sedikullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai anchored the innings with crucial half-centuries.

Atal top-scored with 85 runs before being dismissed by Spencer Johnson, while Omarzai contributed a vital 67. Afghanistan’s innings was punctuated by some dropped catches by the fielding side, offering Australia reprieves. Despite these lapses, Afghanistan managed to set a competitive total.

Australia, currently sitting second in Group B with 3 points, will need to chase down the target to virtually secure their place in the semi-finals. A win for Afghanistan, currently third with 2 points, would propel them into the next stage of the tournament.

The match holds significant implications for both teams. Rain could also play a decisive role; a washout would likely see Australia qualify due to a superior net run rate. However, an Afghanistan victory would send them through, even if the net run rate is less favorable. A rain-affected match will see Afghanistan’s fate hinge on the outcome of the England vs. South Africa match.

Both teams fielded unchanged playing XIs from their previous matches:

**Australia:** Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steve Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson

**Afghanistan:** Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sedikullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi

The match began with a promising start for Australia, although early dropped catches gave the impression that the match could swing either way. The match is a must-win for Afghanistan to reach the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The live score updates will be crucial in determining the outcome of this high-stakes encounter.

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