Afghanistan v England Champions Trophy tips & preview | 26/2/25

England vs Afghanistan best bets

England vs Afghanistan match preview

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy continues with a must-win clash between Afghanistan and England in Group B on Wednesday. Both teams suffered losses in their opening matches, making this a crucial game to keep their semi-final hopes alive.

England have opened up as heavy favourites with the top cricket betting sites after batting brilliantly against Australia, with Duckett’s 165 leading the way, although their bowlers failed to defend 351. Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, and Adil Rashid will need to improve their discipline if they hope to control Afghanistan’s batting unit.

Afghanistan, on the other hand, struggled to handle South Africa’s pace attack. Rahmat Shah was their lone bright spot with a well-made 90, but the rest of the lineup crumbled. Their strength remains their bowling, with Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi capable of troubling England’s batters.

England lead the head-to-head 2-1 in ODIs, but Afghanistan won their last meeting in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. With both sides desperate for a win, expect a competitive encounter.

Afghanistan vs England team news

Afghanistan are expected to field an unchanged XI, despite their struggles against South Africa. Their biggest concern is their top-order batting, which must improve. Their spinners will be key in restricting England’s aggressive batters.

Projected XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

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England will be without paceman Brydon Carse, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a toe injury. Spinner Rehan Ahmed has been called up as his replacement, though he may not be available for this match. Jamie Overton is likely to take Carse’s place in the lineup.

Projected XI: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Afghanistan vs England betting predictions

England come into this match under pressure after they were unable to defend a big total against Australia in their tournament opener. Meanwhile, Afghanistan struggled in their 107-run loss to South Africa, with their top order failing to fire. With superior batting depth and experience, England should have the upper hand as -312.5 favourites with the top online bookmakers.

Ben Duckett was England’s standout batter in their loss to Australia, and he has been their most consistent runscorer in recent ODIs. Given Afghanistan’s reliance on spinners, Duckett’s ability to sweep and manoeuvre the ball could make him England’s key player again. Backing him to reach 50 looks like a solid bet at +150 with Marantelli Bet.

Afghanistan’s best chance of pulling off an upset lies with Rashid Khan. England’s middle order has struggled against quality spin, and Rashid has the ability to turn games on his own. While he went wicketless against South Africa, he will be a major threat on Lahore’s surface, which tends to assist spin as the game progresses. Two or more wickets for Rashid presents good value at +120 with Marantelli Bet.

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