Afghanistan haven't won an ODI against Australia. [Source: @Pawanism_01 & @ACBofficials/X]
Australia successfully registered their second-highest run-chase in their last ODI. Afghanistan successfully defended their fourth-highest innings total in their last match. The previous ODI between these two teams was one for the ages. In simple words, there couldn’t have been a better build-up to Afghanistan-Australia ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match in Lahore.
That two Group B spots still remain up for grabs provides a shot in the arm to the exhilaration regarding this match. Weather, an uninvited guest capable of affecting multi-team tournaments, has already played its part in this group. Likely to affect more matches wholly or partially, there are far too many interesting facets around this contest.
AFG vs AUS: Historical Overview In ODIs And Champions Trophy
Unlike the complexities ahead of this match and Group B qualifications, Afghanistan-Australia ODI history is pretty straightforward. Unsurprisingly, Australia emerged triumphant across their four previous encounters in this format.
Yet to face each other in Pakistan though, Australia have defeated Afghanistan twice in Asia. While their last three matches were part of ODI World Cups, they haven’t locked horns in the Champions Trophy till now.
Afghanistan And Australia’s Playing XIs In Last Match
Afghanistan’s Playing XI
1) Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) 2) Ibrahim Zadran 3) Sediqullah Atal 4) Rahmat Shah 5) Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) 6) Azmatullah Omarzai 7) Mohammad Nabi 8) Gulbadin Naib 9) Rashid Khan 10) Noor Ahmad 11) Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia’s Playing XI
1) Matthew Short 2) Travis Head 3) Steven Smith (c) 4) Marnus Labuschagne 5) Josh Inglish (wk) 6) Alex Carey 7) Glenn Maxwell 8) Ben Dwarshuis 9) Nathan Ellis 10) Adam Zampa 11) Spencer Johnson
Top Run-Scorers In AFG vs AUS ODIs
Only active players considered.
Glenn Maxwell – 295 Runs
One of the two players who would have played all five Afghanistan-Australia ODIs by Friday, Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has amassed 295 runs at mind-blowing average and strike rate of 147.50 and 169.54 respectively. Maxwell, who solely denied Afghanistan a maiden victory over Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in 2023, would be expected to put on a show at the Gaddafi Stadium as well.
Ibrahim Zadran – 129 Runs
Had it not been for Maxwell, Afghanistan opening batter Ibrahim Zadran’s last two ODI centuries would’ve come in historic wins. While that might not have happened, Zadran, whose capability as a big-match player isn’t hidden anymore, would be wanting to replicate his 129* (143) from his only ODI outing against the Aussies tomorrow.
Steven Smith – 113 Runs
Although Australia stand-in captain Steven Smith missed the last ODI against Afghanistan, his 113 runs have come at an average and strike rate of 56.50 and 90.40 respectively across two outings against them.
Top Wicket-Takers In AFG vs AUS ODIs
Only active players considered.
Adam Zampa – 4 Wickets
With the top three highest ODI wicket-takers in this rivalry not participating in 2025 Champions Trophy, Australia spinner Adam Zampa occupies the top spot among active names on the back of dismissing four batters at an average of 29.50, an economy rate of 6.55 and a strike rate of 27.
Rashid Khan – 3 Wickets
Zampa’s counterpart in Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan occupies the second spot among active players for picking three wickets at an average of 32, an economy rate of 5.33 and a strike rate of 36.
Azmatullah Omarzai – 2 Wickets
In his lone outing against the Aussies, Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai had picked bowling figures of 7-1-52-2.
AFG vs AUS Key Stats
Afghanistan’s Key Records
- With 19 50+ individual scores between them in the last 12 months, Afghan batters share the third spot with Pakistan among Full Members.
- Among Full Members, Afghan bowlers’ average of 22.16 and economy rate of 4.73 is the highest in the last year.
- In the same period, Afghan bowlers’ strike rate of 28 is the highest among all teams.
Australia’s Key Records
- Australia have won just one out of their last four result-oriented ODIs.
- Barring Zimbabwe (8), no other Full Member nation has less 50+ individual scores than Australia (10) in the last year.
- Australian bowlers’ economy rate of 5.86 is the second-worst among all ODI teams in the last two years.
Records Which Could Be Broken In AFG vs AUS Match
- Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi needs 10 runs to become their fourth-highest ODI run-scorer.
- Afghanistan wicket-keeper batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz needs 27 runs to become their seventh-highest ODI run-scorer.
- Maxwell needs 72 runs to become Australia’s seventh-highest run-scorer in ICC ODI events.
- Zampa needs four wickets to become Australia’s highest wicket-taker in ICC ODI events among spinners.