We now take a look at the second group in our ICC Champions Trophy, which options Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa.
Afghanistan
Embed from Getty Photographs
Cricket in Afghanistan has advanced quickly, particularly since turning into a full-time member of the ICC in 2017.
In 2023, they missed out on the semi-finals by two factors, however they completed in sixth place to earn themselves a spot on this yr’s match.
Within the T20 World Cup in June 2024, they reached their first semi-final of an ICC match however misplaced comprehensively to South Africa by 10 wickets.
This will likely be their first look within the Champions Trophy, and they’re able to pulling off a number of upsets.
Schedule:
twenty first February: Afghanistan vs South Africa: Karachi: 09:00:am
twenty sixth February: Afghanistan vs England: Lahore: 09:30 am
twenty eighth February: Afghanistan vs Australia: Lahore: 09:00 am
Squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.
One To Watch: Rashid Khan
Embed from Getty Photographs
The canny wrist spinner is at all times a risk in white-ball cricket.
He has 198 wickets in 111 matches, at a strike price of 28.3 and an economic system of 4.2.
His expertise with the bat can’t be ignored, as he has 1,346 runs at a mean of 19.50 and a strike price of 104.42.
Within the SA20(South Africa T20 League), he grew to become the main All-time wicket-taker in T20 cricket with 633 wickets, surpassing former West Indies quick bowler Dwayne Bravo.
Can he present his class within the ICC Champions Trophy?
Australia
Embed from Getty Photographs
The 2023 World Cup holders are a formidable facet to look at. After profitable their eighth 50-0ver match and sixth World Cup, Australia completed the T20 World Cup within the Tremendous Eights.
Right here is the schedule for his or her marketing campaign:
twenty second February: Australia vs England: Lahore: 09:00 am
twenty fifth February: Australia vs South Africa: Rawalpindi 09:00 am
twenty eighth February: Afghanistan vs Australia: Lahore: 09:00 am
Squad
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 Quick, Adam Zampa.
One To Watch: Adam Zampa
Embed from Getty Photographs
The 32-year-old wrist spinner is the participant to be careful for the Australians on this match.
Ranked seventh within the ODI bowling rankings, Zampa has 181 wickets at a strike price of 31 and a mean of 28.6.
The canny operator could have a major function to play, particularly when taking wickets within the center overs.
His variations in pace will likely be crucial on the flat tracks of Pakistan and the UAE, permitting him to outfox the batsman within the air and off the pitch.
Can he make an influence on the Aussies on this match?
England
Embed from Getty Photographs
The 2019 World Champions have reached the Finals of this competitors twice, dropping to West Indies in 2004 and India in 2013.
Their marketing campaign within the 2023 World Cup was common, as they may solely muster three wins out of 9 video games.
Nonetheless, they reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in 2024 however misplaced to India within the semi-finals.
Additionally they reached the semi-finals of the earlier version in 2017 however misplaced to Champions Pakistan by 180 runs.
What’s going to occur this time round?
Schedule
twenty second February: Australia vs England: Lahore: 09:00 am
twenty sixth February: Afghanistan vs England: Lahore: 09:30 am
1st March: South Africa vs England: Karachi: 09:00 am
Squad
Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wooden.
One To Watch: Adil Rashid
Embed from Getty Photographs
The veteran wrist-spinner had a extremely profitable tour of India, selecting up seven wickets within the three ODIs at a mean of 27.28 and strike price of 25.71.
Given that he’s ranked the third-best bowler in T20 cricket, it’ll be fascinating to see if he can enhance on that stat on this match.
Rashid’s expertise as a spinner might make him an imposing risk on this match.
His ODI profession speaks for itself: He took 212 wickets from 146 matches at a mean of 32.61 and an economic system price of 5.64.
He additionally has report towards top-class batters equivalent to India’s Virat Kohli, whom he has dismissed eleven occasions, 5 of which have been in ODIs.
He’s additionally a helpful lower-order batsman, with 926 runs at a mean of 17.8 and a strike price of 97.06.
Can he use his all-around expertise to have impact on this match?
South Africa
Embed from Getty Photographs
The winners of the inaugural match aren’t a facet to take calmly. They reached the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup however had been overwhelmed by Australia.
This time, Temba Bavuma’s crew are setting themselves up for an opportunity to finish their 25-year anticipate a trophy.
Will they be capable of do it this time
Schedule:
twenty first February: Afghanistan vs South Africa: Karachi: 09:00:am
twenty fifth February: Australia vs South Africa: Rawalpindi 09:00 am
1st March: South Africa vs England: Karachi: 09:00 am
Squad:
Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.
One To Watch: Heinrich Klassen
Embed from Getty Photographs
With 2,074 runs to his identify, Klassen is without doubt one of the cleanest hitters of the ball, with a strike price of 117.44.
His potential to hit boundaries to all elements of the bottom makes him terrifying for the bowlers.
Klassen was the second-highest run scorer for the Proteas on the T20 World Cup.
He collected 190 runs from 9 matches, averaging 31.66 and a strike price of 126.66.
His major function as a batsman is as a finisher, the place he has the license to hit boundaries at will.
Can he make an influence for South Africa on the Champions Trophy?
In order that’s our preview for Group B of the ICC Champions Trophy. Who will make it to the semi-finals?
Discover out on World In Sport
