Afghanistan face England in match number 8 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday, February 26, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
With the Group B match between Australia and South Africa getting washed out on Tuesday, this match becomes like a knockout game. The Afghans saw South Africa beat them by 107 runs in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener. Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men were no match for the Proteas.
On the other hand, despite scoring 351 runs versus Australia, England were beaten comprehensively. Australia posted the highest successful chase in the Champions Trophy.
Both South Africa and Australia have three points each in their bag after the washout and remain favorites to reach the semis. However, the winner between England and Afghanistan has a chance to make it through. The winning team will need to win both its matches and reach the last 4.
This is a massive contest now for both England and Afghanistan. It remains to be seen how they come out and express themselves. England are the favourites here with their batting prowess in focus. The Afghans need a complete show and step up to stop England.
In terms of the head-to-head record between the two sides, England own a 2-1 lead from three games. Afghanistan’s lone win came at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they outclassed England by 69 runs.
Ahead of a cracking contest in Lahore, here we present the key records and milestones on offer in this match.
Ben Duckett closes in on 1000 ODI runs
England opener Ben Duckett smashed a record-breaking 165 in England’s CT opener against Australia. The southpaw, who is known for his aggressive style of batting, is closing in on 1000 ODI runs. Duckett owns 996 runs from 30 matches at an average of 52.42. He is 4 runs shy of the 1000-run milestone. Duckett has slammed three centuries and six fifties. In 91 List A matches, he owns 3258 runs at 41.76.
Rahmat Shah is on the verge of making history with 4000 ODI runs
Afghanistan star Rahmat Shah is on the verge of making history. He is aiming to become the first Afghan batter to smash 4000 runs in ODIs. Rahmat, who hit a terrific 90 in the clash against South Africa, has 3959 runs in ODIs. He is 41 shy of the 4000-run milestone. In 121 matches, he averages 35.66 with the help of 31 fifties and 5 tons. Overall, in List A cricket, he has 6233 runs at 38 with 10 tons and 44 half-centuries under his belt.
5000 runs milestone being eyed by Rahmat in international cricket
Rahmat is 68 runs shy of achieving another big milestone. He is closing in on 5000 runs in international cricket. In 133 matches across formats, he has 4932 runs at an average of 37-plus. He has smoked 36 fifties and 8 centuries.
50 sixes in international cricket
Another milestone Rahmat is chasing is 50 sixes in international cricket. He comes into this contest with 46 maximums under his belt. He is 4 shy of 50 sixes. Notably, 40 of his sixes have come in ODIs.
Ibrahim Zadran is set to surpass 1500 runs in ODIs
Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran is closing in on 1500 runs in ODIs. He is aiming to be the 9th Afghan batter with 1500-plus ODI runs. In 34 matches, he has 1457 runs at 47 with 5 tons and 7 fifties. Notably, in Afghanistan’s opener in CT 2025, he was out cheaply.
Zadran can also race to 2500 runs in List A cricket
As per ESPNcricinfo, Zadran owns 2416 runs in the 50-over format. He averages 46.46 with 8 tons and 10 fifties. He is 84 runs short of 2500 runs in List A cricket.
Harry Brook eyes 100 sixes in international cricket
Harry Brook is on the verge of slamming 100 sixes in international cricket. Across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, he has played 92 matches, scoring 3851 runs at 43.26. He comes into this contest with 99 sixes hammered in his career. He is now one short of 100 maximums. Notably, 28 of his sixes have come in ODI cricket. From 24 matches, he has slammed 772 runs. His average reads 35.09.
50 sixes for Rashid Khan in ODIs
Ace spinner Rashid Khan is eyeing a massive feat with the bat for the Afghans. He is one shy of 50 sixes in ODIs. He will become the 6th batter with 50-plus sixes in ODIs. From 112 matches, he has scored 1364 runs at 19.48.
2000 runs in international cricket for Rashid
Rashid, who is known for his exploits with the bat in the lower middle order, is closing in on 2000 runs in international cricket. He has 1985 runs from 153 innings at 17.56. He is 15 shy of the 2000 runs milestone.
Jos Buttler is aiming to scale 1000 ODI runs in Asia
Jos Buttler has scored 942 runs in ODIs on Asian soil. He averages 26.16 with one ton and 5 fifties. He is now 58 runs shy of the 1000-run milestone in Asia. Overall, he has 5137 runs in ODIs at 39.21. He owns 11 tons and 27 fifties.
7th-highest scorer for Afghanistan in ODIs
Rahmanullah Gurbaz owns 1779 runs in ODIs at an average of 38.67. He can become the 7th-highest scorer for Afghanistan in ODIs by getting past former Afghan batter Samiullah Shiniwari, who managed 1811 runs at 29.20.