Australia vs Afghanistan, Champions Trophy: Decoding key player battles
What's the story
Afghanistan and Australia will clash in the 10th match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The match is of utmost importance for both sides as they fight for a place in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the do-or-die encounter will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Friday, February 28.
Here we decode the anticipated player battles in Australia-Afghanistan clash.
#1
Fazalhaq Farooqi vs Travis Head
One of the highly enticing clashes would be between Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi and Australian opener Travis Head.
The latter is among the most destructive batters going around and it would be interesting to see how he tackles Farooqi's thunderbolts early on.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Head owns a stunning ODI average of 80.16 against left-arm fast bowlers.
Meanwhile, Farooqi has struggled with the ball in this tourney.
#2
Rashid Khan vs Josh Inglis
Afghanistan will rely on their star bowler Rashid Khan to keep things in check.
The talismanic leg-spinner is now for his wicket-taking ability in the middle overs.
He will have his task cut out against Josh Inglis, who smoked a breathtaking 120* in the preceding game.
It must be noted that Rashid has an ODI bowling average of 19.69 against right-handed batters.
#3
Ibrahim Zadran vs Spencer Johnson
Ibrahim Zadran made 177 off 146 balls against England, recording the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history.
The Afghanistan opener will be determined to replicate his heroics against the Aussies.
Left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson will have the onus to dismiss the star batter early on.
The battle would indeed be enticing as Zadran owns a poor ODI average of 21.33 against left-arm fast bowlers.