Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report For AUS vs AFG Champions Trophy 2025 Match

Debashis Sarangi

Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore [Source: AP]Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore [Source: AP]

On Friday, Australia will lock horns with Afghanistan in their final group-stage match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. This will be a virtual knockout game for the Afghans, who forced an upset by defeating England in their previous encounter. 

Led by Steve Smith, Australia crushed England in their first game before the subsequent clash against South Africa concluded in a washout. On the other hand, Afghanistan made a remarkable comeback, securing a clinical win over the English after a forgettable outing against South Africa. 

As the Aussies prepare for the high-voltage encounter, let's see how the surface at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will behave throughout the contest. 

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Stats

Criterion
Data
Matches played76
Matches won batting 1st38
Matches won bowling 1st36
Average 1st innings score256
Average 2nd innings score221

The data in the above table depicts the overall stats at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium in Men's and Women's ODIs. If we talk about this Champions Trophy edition, the venue has hosted two matches, with teams batting first and second winning one game each. The average 1st innings score at this venue in the tournament reads 338, with the team batting second averaging 336.5. 

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report Today

The surface at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore has been a batting beauty in the Champions Trophy this season. The average scoring rate at the venue reads 6.83, suggesting the track's conduciveness to stroke-play. 

Although the track hasn't offered seam movement, the pacers might get some spongy bounce off the deck. Meanwhile, there will be little assistance for the spinners, as the batters are expected to enjoy the conditions at this venue. 

The pitch will more or less remain the same across both innings. Considering this fact, the toss-winner will likely opt to bowl first. 

Players To Watch Out For At Gaddafi Stadium Lahore

Travis Head

  • Australia's swashbuckling opener Travis Head averages 49.76 while striking at a blistering rate of 127.99 in 20 ODIs since 2023. He might enjoy the batting-friendly conditions in Lahore and could be a threat to Afghanistan in this match. 

Azmatullah Omarzai

  • Afghanistan's premier all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai enjoyed stellar success in the last game. Besides scoring 41 runs, Omarzai scalped five wickets. Therefore, apart from finishing things off in style, Omarzai can trouble the Australian openers with his swing bowling. 

Adam Zampa

  • Experienced Australian spinner Adam Zampa has been a prolific performer in ODI cricket. The wily leg spinner can bamboozle the Afghan batters with his guile and variations in the middle overs. 

P.S: Apart from these players, the eyes will be on Glenn Maxwell, Ibrahim Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Josh Inglis and Spencer Johnson.