By: Monu Kumar
Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match saw Afghanistan & Australia lock horns in Lahore.
Afghanistan posted a very competitive 273-runs, setting a 274-run target for Aussies to win. Earlier, Afghanistan innings was largely built on Sediqullah Atal's knock of 85 runs - laced with six fours and three sixes.
Coming in to bat at no. 3, Atal was in action in the first over itself as opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck, after having faced just five-balls. The other opener, Ibrahim Zadran also failed to impress, as he lost his wicket in the 14th over, for 22 off 28 balls.
Atal who made his international debut in 2023, wasn't impressive in the earlier two games in CT, with getting dismissed for mere four runs off four balls against England and registering a very unimpressive 16 off 32 balls against South Africa.
To qualify for the semi-finals, Afghanistan need a win against Australia, who are placed in second position in Group B with three points. Afghans are third with two points from two matches. On the other hand, South Africa are on top of the table with three points in Group B. Meanwhile, eliminated England are bottom with zero points in two matches.