England won the toss and elected to field first. Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put on a 100-plus opening stand, with Gurbaz scoring a 33-ball 50 and Zadran scoring 28. Gurbaz was eventually run out for 80, while Zadran fell to Adil Rashid. Rashid also picked up the wickets of Rahman Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai.
England have fielded an unchanged playing XI, which means Ben Stokes remains on the sidelines. Afghanistan have made one change, with Ikram Ali Khil replacing Najibullah Zadran.
England are one of the tournament favourites, renowned for their aggressive style of play and strong batting lineup. Players like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler will be instrumental in England’s bid to secure victory and cement their dominance in the tournament.
Afghanistan is a team that has rapidly risen through the ranks of international cricket. With an array of talented spin bowlers and formidable hitters, they have the potential to deliver upsets and make a strong statement in the competition. Players like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi are expected to play pivotal roles in Afghanistan’s strategy to challenge more established teams.
The match between England and Afghanistan is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams having their own strengths and weaknesses. England will be looking to capitalize on their strong batting lineup, while Afghanistan will be relying on their spin bowlers to make inroads into the English batting order.