Champions Trophy Game 10 Group B, Afghanistan v Australia 28/2 1930hrs @ Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

[Gough]

Afghanistan from, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik, Nangyal Kharoti. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami
Australia from, Steve Smith (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa. Travelling reserve: Cooper Connolly.

 

[MarcMaverick]

1) It looks a bit wet in Lahore at least until 2PM their time. Play is rather tenuously, considering the weather.

2) Can't take Afghanistan lightly.

 

[Ohitsthatguy]

Weather looks good. Bit of moisture about probably helps us

And yeah, Afghanistan are a good team

 

[ep2018]

We are rightfully favourites but Afghanistan paying $3.50 to win seems a little on the long side for mine.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Weather is dry an hour out from the match . Cricinfo used the phrase 'at the moment' which is slightly ominous.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Afghanistan win the toss and choose to bat

 

[Moonwatcher]

25% chance of rain

 

[JimmyBC]

We've got this

 

[MarcMaverick]

Last time these two teams met Afghanistan had the Aussies on the ropes until Glenn Maxwell played out of his skin and with extreme cramps in an innings that will never be replicated.

 

[010203]

I'm impressed they've got enough extra large jackets for Smithy, Finchy, Big Dos and Ian Bishop.

 

[Moonwatcher]

7 for 91 we were that night. Hope we don't let it get to that tonight.

 

[JimmyBC]

Rashid Khan is always good to watch

 

[MarcMaverick]

7 for 91 we were that night. Hope we don't let it get to that tonight.

Yeah, same here. The was a fever dream.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Not sure that was the right call from Afghanistan to bat first, Smith said that they wanted to bowl first due to the dew.

They bowl last because they know they can defend anything. Australia bowl first because they know they can't defend anything. It's still in Afghanistan's favour.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

They bowl last because they know they can defend anything. Australia bowl first because they know they can't defend anything. It's still in Afghanistan's favour.

Conditions suggested they probably should've bowled first against England as well but they do seem more comfortable batting first and they ended up getting the job done regardless.

 

[JimmyBC]

Jeez you'd wanna get into the commentary team feed room before Smithy & Finchy annihilate the food trollies.

 

[Bungeye]

Afghanistan wants revenge against Aussie government. They'll be very motivated for this match.

 

[MarcMaverick]

Jeez you'd wanna get into the commentary team feed room before Smithy & Finchy annihilate the food trollies.

Thankfully no Merv or Ian Botham.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Going to be an interesting game. Even though it would work out for us I hope the weather stays away.

A little surprised we decided to keep the same bowling attack. Thought we'd bring in Abbott since we were struggling to find death bowlers against England. I like Spencer Johnson and was expecting him to be the one out, I think he is a guy who could cause trouble early and pick up a few, so don't mind that they've kept him in

 

[MarcMaverick]

I don't want to get in via washout.

 

[010203]

India, New Zealand and South Africa will be supporting Afghanistan tonight.

 

[MarcMaverick]

I reckon if Afghanistan wins tonight, they have a big chance to win it all.

 

[ep2018]

I reckon if Afghanistan wins tonight, they have a big chance to win it all.

India and then daylight due to them playing in Dubai the entirety of the tournament.

 

[MarcMaverick]

God the Afghan anthem is intense.

 

[010203]

I don't want to get in via washout.

25% chance of rain so I wouldn't worry about a washout unless things change regarding the weather.