AFG vs ENG Howzat11 Prediction, Match 8, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing 11, Injury Updates & Pitch Report for Champions Trophy 2025

AFG vs ENG is a must-win game for both teams after they suffered losses in their respective tournament openers.

By Pratyusha Bhawar

Updated - 25 Feb 2025, 20:27 IST

1 Min Read

Table Of Contents

Match InfoPlaying XIC & VCTeamsWeather ReportTeam FormInjury NewsPitchAvoidable Players

Preview

Afghanistan and England are all set to square off in a Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to take place on February 26 at Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. This game is a must-win for the two sides as they have suffered defeat in their opening encounters. South Africa has defeated Afghanistan in their first game.

On the flip side, England could not win despite putting 350-plus runs on the board against Australia. Steve Smith and his men chased down the target with ease, registering the highest-ever run chase in the ICC event. Both powerhouses have everything to do in Lahore, and the encounter is expected to have plenty of fireworks.

Head-to-head records between Afghanistan and England

Their recent meeting took place on October 15, 2025, at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi, where Afghanistan stunned England with a 69-run win, making their first win over the Three Lions in the ODIs. Before that, the side had dominated their previous matches, grabbing a 150-run win in Manchester during the 2019 ODI World Cup and a nine-wicket win in Sydney in the 2015 ODI World Cup.

Match Information

Afghanistan vs England, 8th Match, Group B

ICC Champions Trophy, 26 Feb 2025, Wed, 2:30 PM IST ,Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Broadcast

Star Sports and Sports 18 channels

Live Stream

JioHotstar

Weather Report

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Clouds

27.7°C

72% (Humidity)

Team Form (Last 5 matches)

Afghanistan

L
L
L
W
T

England

L
L
L
L
L

Players Stats in current Series

1

Ben Duckett

ENG - wk

227 Runs

3 Matches

2

Joe Root

ENG - bat

225 Runs

3 Matches

3

Ibrahim Zadran

AFG - bat

216 Runs

3 Matches

4

Azmatullah Omarzai

AFG - all

126 Runs

3 Matches

5

Rahmat Shah

AFG - bat

106 Runs

3 Matches

6

Sediqullah Atal

AFG - bat

105 Runs

3 Matches

1

Rashid Khan

AFG - bowl

122.58

3 Matches

2

Jofra Archer

ENG - bowl

122.45

3 Matches

3

Philip Salt

ENG - wk

120.00

3 Matches

4

Mohammad Nabi

AFG - all

116.67

3 Matches

5

Brydon Carse

ENG - bowl

114.29

1 Match

6

Ben Duckett

ENG - wk

108.61

3 Matches

1

Azmatullah Omarzai

AFG - all

7 Wkts

3 Matches

2

Jofra Archer

ENG - bowl

6 Wkts

3 Matches

3

Mohammad Nabi

AFG - all

4 Wkts

3 Matches

4

Adil Rashid

ENG - bowl

3 Wkts

3 Matches

5

Liam Livingstone

ENG - all

3 Wkts

3 Matches

6

Fazalhaq Farooqi

AFG - bowl

2 Wkts

3 Matches

1

Adil Rashid

ENG - bowl

5.33

3 Matches

2

Mohammad Nabi

AFG - all

5.76

3 Matches

3

Noor Ahmad

AFG - bowl

6.19

3 Matches

4

Rashid Khan

AFG - bowl

6.25

3 Matches

5

Gulbadin Naib

AFG - all

6.44

3 Matches

6

Liam Livingstone

ENG - all

6.53

3 Matches

Probable Playing XI

Afghanistan

Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), R Shah, Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Noor Ahmad

Bench : IA Khil, Farid Malik, N Zadran, Nangeyalia kharote, Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami

England

Jos Buttler (C), JL Smith, PD Salt, BM Duckett, HC Brook, JE Root, J Overton, LS Livingstone, Jofra Archer, AU Rashid, Mark Wood

Bench : BA Carse, AAP Atkinson, S Mahmood, T Banton, R Ahmed

Injury and availability news

England have been given a body blow ahead of the fixture against Afghanistan as pacer Brydon Carse has been ruled out. They have named Rehan Ahmed as the replacement.

Pitch Report

Since the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium‘s ground is anticipated to be batting-friendly, AFG vs. ENG might be a high-scoring match. Although seamers may receive some early help, batters will find it easier to centre the ball as the game goes on.

60%

Pace Bowling

40%

Spin Bowling

70%

Batting Pitch

350

Average Score

30%

Bowling Pitch

Player Picks

8
C

Hashmatullah Shahidi AFG | BAT

Afghanistan skipper can be a game changer for the side in this game with his batting performance. One can look to have him in your Dream 11 team.

8
C

Azmatullah Omarzai AFG | ALL

The star cricketer is one of the best all-rounders from the Afghan side who can crush the England side single-handedly. He can be your captaincy pick in your Dream 11 team.

8
C

Harry Brook ENG | BAT

England star batter is one of the main hitter from the side. His form with the bat can boost your fantasy points. He must be there in your team.

8

Jos Buttler ENG | WK

England skipper can be a game changer for the side in this game with his batting performance. One can look to have him in your Dream 11 team.

8

Ben Duckett ENG | WK

He is one of the best England opening batters. The star cricketer hammered 165 runs when the rest of the batters failed in their first game.

8

Ibrahim Zadran AFG | BAT

Afghan star batter can give a great start to the side in this game and might pose a big threat to England bowlers.

8

Jamie Smith ENG | BAT

England wicket-keeper batter ha failed to mark his impression in the first game but use his chance here to get his form going.

8

Joe Root ENG | BAT

England star batter Joe Root has been one of the main batters from the side who can single-handedly crush the Afghan bowlers.

8

Mark Wood ENG | BOWL

He is one of the main pacer from England side, who will be aiming to crush the Afghan batting unit in this game. The star seamer can be your budget pick.

Avoid Having These Players In Your Fantasy Sports Team

8

Sediqullah Atal

AFG | BAT

8

Fareed Malik

AFG | BOWL

Last Updated On - Feb 25 2025 8:27 PM

Players
11/11

Team 1

AFG

4 : 7

ENG

Credits Left
12/100

Head To Head
Rahmanullah Gurbaz

8

Jos Buttler
C

8

Philip Salt

8

Ben Duckett
VC

8

Hashmatullah Shahidi

8

Ibrahim Zadran

8

Jamie Smith

8

Harry Brook

8

Joe Root

8

Azmatullah Omarzai

8

Mark Wood

8

Players
11/11

Team 1

AFG

5 : 6

ENG

Credits Left
12/100

Grand League
Jos Buttler

8

Ben Duckett

8

Rahmat Shah

8

Hashmatullah Shahidi
C

8

Ibrahim Zadran
VC

8

Jamie Smith

8

Harry Brook

8

Joe Root

8

Gulbadin Naib

8

Azmatullah Omarzai

8

Mark Wood

8

Players
11/11

Team 1

AFG

4 : 7

ENG

Credits Left
12/100

Mega League
Jos Buttler

8

Ben Duckett

8

Hashmatullah Shahidi

8

Ibrahim Zadran

8

Jamie Smith
C

8

Harry Brook
VC

8

Joe Root

8

Azmatullah Omarzai

8

Mohammad Nabi

8

Liam Livingstone

8

Mark Wood

8

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Players
11/11

Team 1

AFG

4 : 7

ENG

Credits Left
12/100

CricTracker Special
Jos Buttler

8

Ben Duckett

8

Hashmatullah Shahidi

8

Ibrahim Zadran

8

Jamie Smith
C

8

Harry Brook
VC

8

Joe Root

8

Azmatullah Omarzai

8

Mohammad Nabi

8

Liam Livingstone

8

Mark Wood

8

More Match Details

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Disclaimer

This team is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

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