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AFG vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 8th Match

Charbel Coorey
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AFG vs ENG Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 8th Match

The 8th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) has a lot riding on it. The washout between Australia and South Africa on Tuesday makes this a knockout match, with the losing side officially eliminated from the tournament.

Victory, however, puts the winner right in the mix for a semi-finals berth. Afghanistan would have been disappointed with their performance against South Africa, as batting first remains their biggest strength. They come up against England, whom they beat comfortably by 69 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Onto Jos Buttler’s team. At one point in the second innings against Australia, England had an 81% chance of winning. It all slipped away so quickly as Josh Inglis, Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell exposed the flaws in the bowling attack. Also, England must finish better with the bat as 380+ looked on the cards on a flat Lahore pitch.

In this article, we will look at the possible XIs, Lahore pitch report, Fantasy Cricket Tips and Dream11 Prediction for this crucial encounter.

CT 2025 8th Match: AFG vs ENG Possible Playing XIs

Afghanistan may stick with the same XI that went down to South Africa.

Afghanistan: 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/Nangeyalia Kharote, 11. Fazalhaq Farooqi

Brydon Carse is out of the tournament due to a toe injury. Legspinner Rehan Ahmed has been named as his replacement in the squad. However, England may bring Saqib Mahmood in the XI. Also, Jofra Archer seemed to be struggling with cramp in the Australia match.

England: 1. Ben Duckett, 2. Phil Salt, 3. Jamie Smith (wk), 4. Joe Root, 5. Harry Brook, 6. Jos Buttler (c), 7. Liam Livingstone, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Saqib Mahmood, 10. Mark Wood, 11. Adil Rashid

Gaddafi Stadium Lahore Pitch Report and Weather

It was a magnificent batting track in Lahore on Saturday as Australia chased 352 against England with 15 balls to spare. Expect another excellent surface for batting again.

But, dew could play a factor, which will make things interesting at the toss. Batting first is Afghanistan’s strength, so will England give them that opportunity if Buttler wins the toss? For Afghanistan, do they risk bowling in the dew if Hashmatullah wins the toss?

The forecast looks good with conditions brightening up in the afternoon. AccuWeather forecasts just a 7% chance of precipitation with a top temperature of 25 degrees.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AFG vs ENG: Key Players to Watch & Top Picks

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top wicket-keeper picks:

  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a must especially if Afghanistan bats first. He averages 54.00 in 25 ODIs batting first, compared to 20.42 in 22 ODIs batting second.

Key batter picks:

  • Ben Duckett is in magnificent form. He is coming off 165 against Australia on this ground, where he picked up 289 Dream11 points. A must pick given he’s struck six fifties and three hundreds in 20 ODIs to date.
  • Rahmat Shah batted beautifully against South Africa for his 92. He provides Afghanistan with stability. Given his solid technique, he should enjoy conditions at Lahore.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Picked in 94.9% of Dream11 teams, Joe Root has hit two half-centuries in his last three ODIs. He looks in good touch and a big score can be around the corner. He is also likely to chip in with overs that further increases his fantasy appeal.
  • Azmatullah Omarzai averages 52.4 with the bat in ODIs since the start of 2023. Also, he can find swing with the new ball in some overcast conditions in Lahore.

Key bowler picks:

  • Adil Rashid is the most important part of the England attack. Rashid took 3/42 against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. The legspinner continues to perform and on a Lahore pitch where spin will be important, he is a must-pick.
  • Rashid Khan is a vc option in Dream11 given England’s worries against spin. He took 3/37 against them in the 2023 World Cup and also contributed with the bat (23 off 23 balls).
  • Jofra Archer is striving to return to his best. He has the potential to take big wickets as he bowls the crunch overs and can also contribute with lower order runs. Always worth a pick.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Tips

  • Jos Buttler can be an excellent pick if England bat first. Afghanistan’s death bowling left a bit to be desired against South Africa and Buttler can take advantage in this game. However, Buttler averages just 25.8 in all ICC ODI tournaments (CWC and CT).
  • Ibrahim Zadran has made starts in his last three innings (39 and 32 in the CT warm ups and 17 vs South Africa). He is a player who can deliver a good score especially if he gets through the powerplay.
  • Liam Livingstone is inconsistent but can be worth a try in one of your contests. He will chip in with overs and has the capability to finish big. Of course, this is a riskier pick.
  • England have their issues against spin, so an opportunity awaits Mohammad Nabi. The offspinner took 6-1-16-2 in the World Cup match against England in 2023.
  • Phil Salt has made scores of 43, 26, 23 and 10 in his last four games. The potential for a big score is there if he can get through the powerplay.

Other Stats and Matchups

  • Head-to-head: Matches 3, Afghanistan 1, England 2.
  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 80 off 57 balls (batting first) against England in the 2023 World Cup.
  • Harry Brook struck 66 (61) against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. Can he overcome his spin worries here?
  • Rashid Khan has figures of 5/50 off 75 balls against Jos Buttler in T20s. Will this translate to ODIs?

CT 2025 8th Match: AFG vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Lahore Pitch Report for the 8th match of CT 2025 between Afghanistan & England
CT 2025 8th Match: AFG vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Lahore Pitch Report for the 8th match of CT 2025 between Afghanistan & England
CT 2025 8th Match: AFG vs ENG Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 8th Match: AFG vs ENG Match Prediction – Who will win?

Afghanistan are a great chance of winning especially if they bat first.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

“Embarrassing” – Pakistan fans react to early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy

Charbel Coorey
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“Embarrassing” – Pakistan fans react to early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy

Hosts Pakistan have suffered an early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy after two defeats in five days. They entered the tournament with hope after notable series wins in Australia and South Africa late last year, but yet again they have disappointed at an ICC event.

However, despite those series wins, no one can be surprised. Well, maybe except for the most passionate and optimistic Pakistan fans. Pakistan opted for similar balance to the squads that won in SENA conditions. In these conditions, their squad looked imbalanced with too many accumulators and lack of specialist spin options. Also, the way Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie have been treated over the past 12 months paints a clear picture of the instabilities within Pakistani cricket.

Plus, Pakistan performed woefully in both the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup, and it is clear they haven’t learnt from those experiences.

Interim coach Aaqib Javed said Pakistan will surprise India on the eve of their showdown in Dubai. Instead, Pakistan repeated the same mistakes they made against New Zealand, digging themselves a deeper hole with every dot ball.

Now, Javed and his support team are set to be sacked. Whether he and his staff are the right people for the job is irrelevant. Pakistan continue to sack coaches in the hope things will change, rather than analysing their outdated approaches in ODI and T20I cricket.

Pakistan can rectify these issues by identifying the right talents in domestic cricket and setting up a pathway for them to succeed at international level, but they are reluctant to move away from this same core group of players. Jarrod Kimber put it quite nicely.

Pakistan fans react to team’s very disappointing early exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy

Pakistan’s poor batting and overall play drew heavy criticism from fans and pundits. After waiting 29 years to host another ICC event, Pakistan’s involvement in the tournament was very short lived, proving the doubters right around their credentials in this Champions Trophy.

Fans have called out Pakistan’s experienced players, who simply didn’t step up in these crunch games. Mohammad Rizwan’s 49 runs in the first two games came at a strike rate of 53.84. Babar Azam’s current total of 87 runs took 116 balls, including a 90-ball 64 that hurt Pakistan in the tournament opener. Also, the attack largely struggled for penetration, with no bowler taking more than two wickets across the two defeats.

“The hosts prepared for everything except Cricket,” wrote Kamran Muzaffer on X. “This got to be one of the worst Cricket preparation by a host in an ICC event, pretty close to England of 99 World Cup.”

Here are other reactions from disappointed Pakistan fans.

Pakistan’s final game of CT 2025 will be against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi on Thursday, February 27. Given the rain in Rawalpindi this week, both Pakistan and Bangladesh may exit the 2025 Champions Trophy without a single victory.

AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 7th Match

Robin Rounder
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AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 7th Match

Australia vs South Africa is a fascinating game on the cards for cricket fans in the 7th match of ICC Champions Trophy (CT) 2025. Both teams are coming to this game after winning their first respective matches in the tournament.

Australia are coming on the back of a dominating win against England where they chased down a mammoth 351 runs. Josh Inglis and Alex Carey were exceptional with the bat for the Aussies and Glenn Maxwell saw his side over the line.

Bowling will be a headache for Australia going into this game as none of the pacers looked threatening in the first game. They will be tested against a top-quality batting unit in this game and the Aussie bowlers must be on their toes for this encounter.

Meanwhile, the Proteas are coming off a comprehensive win against Afghanistan by 107 runs. Their batters did a great job and the bowlers were excellent as well. Heinrich Klaasen who missed the first game is expected to be included in the side which will further bolster their batting.

The Proteas will be pretty confident coming into this game after a good team effort in the match against Afghanistan.

CT 2025 7th Match: AUS vs SA Probable Playing XIs

Australia could bring in Sean Abbott for Spencer Johnson. Johnson was not used in the death overs against England, with Smith even turning to Labuschagne instead.

Australia: 1. Travis Head, 2. Matthew Short, 3. Steve Smith (c), 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Josh Inglis (wk), 6. Alex Carey, 7. Glenn Maxwell, 8. Sean Abott, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Nathan Ellis, 11. Adam Zampa

Heinrich Klaasen is expected to play this game.

South Africa: 1. Ryan Rickelton (wk), 2. Temba Bavuma (c), 3. Rassie van der Dussen, 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Heinrich Klaasen, 6. David Miller, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Keshav Maharaj, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the second game of the tournament at this venue, a day after Bangladesh vs New Zealand. The pitch here is generally a good one for batting. The ball should come onto the bat nicely allowing the batters to play their shots. The pacers may get some movement in the second innings with the new ball.

Spinners are expected to get little help off the deck but not much or anything threatening for the batters. Overall, the batters will dominate the match. Teams may prefer chasing.

The forecast shows 30-40% rain throughout the game time. It’s expected to be cloudy and we might see a little rain interruption as well.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for AUS vs SA: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:

  • Ryan Rickelton scored a brilliant century in the first game against Afghanistan. He’s been in sublime form lately and will be a must in your fantasy teams. This will be his first game against Australia.
  • Heinrich Klaasen averages 57.80 against Australia in 13 ODIs for his 578 runs at a strike rate of 120.20. He has two fifties and two hundreds to his name. Klaasen has been the best batter for the Proteas in ODIs since 2024.
  • Josh Inglis scored 120* runs in 86 deliveries to help Australia chase down 351 runs. He is a key batter for his side in the middle order and will be a must in your fantasy teams, especially if Australia bats first.

Key batter picks:

  • Travis Head was dismissed cheaply in the first game but he looked in good touch. He has 368 runs against South Africa in 13 ODIs at an average of 30.70 with three fifties. Head can score big on his day. Try him as C/VC in the big leagues in fantasy cricket.
  • Temba Bavuma scored 58 in the first game. He’s been in good form in the last 12 months and will be a top pick in fantasy cricket. Bavuma is expected to open in this match and can score big if he gets going.
  • Steve Smith will be a key batter for his team at number 3. His last fifty against the Proteas was back in 2020. Smith will be itching to do well in this game, especially after missing out in the first game. Against South Africa: 733 runs in 21 innings at an average of 38.60. Four fifties and two centuries.
  • Marnus Labuschagne averages 55.10 against South Africa with two hundreds and a fifty to his name in 10 games. He has scored 496 runs against the Proteas. Marnus was used with the ball in the last game which makes him a top fantasy pick.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Aiden Markam scored a quickfire 52* to help South Africa post a good total in the first game. He has a good record against the Aussies: 412 runs in 11 innings @41.20 with two fifties and a century. Markam may bowl a few overs as well. 
  • Glenn Maxwell is expected to bowl a few overs and do the late-hitting duties for his team. He picked up a wicket and scored 32* off 15 in the first game. Maxwell will be a must in your fantasy teams.

Key bowler picks:

  • Kagiso Rabda picked up three wickets in the first game. He will be the lead pacer for his side. He has 30 wickets in 15 games against Australia in ODIs. He will be a must in your fantasy teams.
  • Adam Zampa will be very important for the Aussies with the ball. The leggie has 19 wickets against South Africa in 18 matches. He picks up wickets in clusters on his day.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team

  • Marco Jansen has 10 wickets and 160 runs against Australia in seven games. He could fetch points from both bat and ball. He will be a good fantasy pick but his value is with the ball as it’s unlikely that he’ll get enough game time with the bat to make an impact.
  • Matthew Short was excellent in the first game with his 63 runs but he will be against the likes of Rabada and Jansen in this game. He will be in for a big score if he gets past them.

Other Matchups and Facts

  • Head to Head (ODIs): Australia (51), South Africa (55) 
  • Kagiso Rabada has dismissed Travis Head thrice in 55 deliveries for 62 runs in ODIs.
  • Lungi Ngidi needs one wicket to complete 100 ODI wickets.
  • Heinrich Klaasen has smashed 121 off 89 balls against Adam Zampa (three dismissals).

CT 2025 7th Match: AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Rawalpindi Pitch Report for the 7th match of CT 2025 between South Africa & Australia
CT 2025 7th Match: AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Rawalpindi Pitch Report for the 7th match of CT 2025 between South Africa & Australia
CT 2025 7th Match: AUS vs SA Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 7th Match: AUS vs SA Match Prediction: Who will win?

Both teams are neck-to-neck in terms of batting depth and quality but bowling will be a concern for the Aussies. They conceded 351 runs in the first game and it’s an area where they lack behind the Proteas. But despite that, I am backing Australia to come out victorious in this clash.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

IND vs PAK Reactions CT 2025 – Virat Kohli scores 51st ODI century

Charbel Coorey
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IND vs PAK Reactions CT 2025 – Virat Kohli scores 51st ODI century

Virat Kohli notched up his 51st ODI century as India beat Pakistan once again in an ICC tournament. With the comfortable six-wicket win, India sealed their place in the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT) semi-finals.

Pakistan were left to rue another disappointing batting effort. After facing 162 dot balls in their tournament opener against New Zealand, Pakistan batted another 152 dot balls in Dubai as they had to scrap to even get to a somewhat respectable total. On a surface where the ball was holding up at times, 241 was something to bowl at, but they had to be perfect with the ball against a long Indian batting lineup.

Unfortunately for Pakistan, the make up of their attack is far from perfect. They lack a potent fifth bowling option, and when Shaheen Shah Afridi (9.25) and Haris Rauf (7.42) are so expensive, a defeat is imminent. It turned out to be the case as India sealed the chase so comfortably.

Virat Kohli was superb. He got going with some magnificent drives on the up against Rauf. Then, 72 of his 100 runs came in singles and twos in one of the starkest contrasts between he and Pakistan. Such an approach is a key reason why he is one of the all-time greats in ODIs.

In the process, Kohli became the third player in history after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara to notch 14,000 ODI runs. While Tendulkar’s 18,426 runs seems too far away to catch, Kohli is just 150 runs away from becoming the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history.

That too at an average in excess of 58. Brilliant stuff.

Virat Kohli notches up 14,000 ODI runs and 51st century in another chasing masterclass

Virat Kohli combined with Shubman Gill (46) for 69 runs and Shreyas Iyer (56) for 114. Pakistan fought hard at the start of the Virat-Shreyas partnership, but India were mostly in control as Mohammad Rizwan’s team lacked the spin depth to support Abrar Ahmed.

“My job was pretty clear: to control the middle overs, to try and go after the seam bowlers, and not take too many risks against the spinners, but keep rotating strike,” Kohli said after the match, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “And once we strung in a nice partnership, then towards the end, Shreyas [Iyer] accelerated and I got a few boundaries away as well. It was more or less the way I play ODI cricket, so I was happy with the template.”

Here are some reactions to Virat Kohli’s 51st ODI hundred and India’s victory.

Ben Duckett cost England the game against Australia – Herschelle Gibbs

Charbel Coorey
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0
Ben Duckett cost England the game against Australia – Herschelle Gibbs

Ben Duckett’s 165 in the Champions Trophy against Australia impressed one and all, but Herschelle Gibbs wasn’t one of them. The former South Africa batsman believes Duckett cost England the game due to the amount of deliveries he played for the runs he scored.

“2 examples in the space of a few weeks in ODIs, where batters facing 140-plus balls end up losing. Face that many balls you must have atleast 190-200,” Gibbs wrote on X.

The other example Gibbs is referring to was Matthew Breetzke in the tri-series against New Zealand on February 10. Breetzke achieved the highest individual score by any player on ODI debut, notching up 150 off 148 balls in Lahore. New Zealand went on to chase South Africa’s 304/6 with six wickets and eight balls to spare.

Herschelle Gibbs critical of Ben Duckett innings against Australia

Ben Duckett was dismissed for 165 off 143 balls. He displayed control right throughout the innings, enabling England to think of pushing towards 400 at one stage.

One fan replied to Gibbs saying, “It’s hard to say that England should’ve scored more runs after they scored 350. They should’ve won after scoring 350, needed to take their catches and I’m afraid their bowling was not that good and dew didn’t help. Bowling too dependent on Adil Rashid.”

However, Gibbs pinned the focus on Duckett as he faced 140+ deliveries. “Duckett cost them the game.. scored too slow mate.. They [England] should have got to atleast 380.. same with Breetzke the other day [against New Zealand on February 10],” replied Gibbs.

However, Jos Buttler (23 off 21 balls) and Liam Livingstone (14 off 17 balls) failed to get going. Had one displayed the kind of finishing ability they have, England would have reached 380+ even with Duckett’s final strike rate of 115.38. But, Gibbs’ view is the set player must do more in today’s game.

“Blimey Herschelle. I think you’re being a bit harsh, that defeat wasn’t on Duckett,” replied fan Sean Mallis. “Seamers too expensive on the day and no one else played that T20 style cameo we needed to get too 380 -400.”

Gibbs then reaffirmed his position, stating that 140+ balls in today’s cricket needs to yield more runs. “Mate Breetzke faced 147 balls and got 150 and they also lost the other day,” he wrote. “You face that many balls in today’s cricket you have to get 200-plus.”

Australia chased down 351/8 with ease in the end, with the one-dimensional attack hurting England. Josh Inglis’ 86-ball 120* won him the man of the match award. He and Alex Carey combined for a partnership that took Australia from a 19% chance of winning to favouritism. Glenn Maxwell then helped finish the job.

As a result, England face a must-win scenario in their second match of the 2025 Champions Trophy on Wednesday, also at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It will be interesting to see their approach against an Afghanistan side also desperate for a win after losing their opener against South Africa.

Will Jos Buttler’s team aim for controlled aggression again or will it be an all out attack? Time will tell.

BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 6th Match

Charbel Coorey
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0
BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 6th Match

Bangladesh face a must-win scenario against the impressive New Zealand in the 6th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT). Rawalpindi will host its first match of this tournament, and good batting conditions are expected.

The Black Caps beat Pakistan easily on the opening day. Will Young and Tom Latham were outstanding, before the bowling attack put the squeeze on the Pakistani batting lineup. They will be hoping for more of the same as they look to seal a semi-final spot.

For Bangladesh, terrible powerplays with bat and ball cost them dearly against India. They fought very hard outside of the first ten overs to make a game of it, but Shubman Gill proved too good in the end. A better start is crucial for the Tigers.

CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Possible Playing XIs

Bangladesh could look to unleash Nahid Rana, possibly in place for Tanzim Hasan Sakib.

Bangladesh: 1. Tanzid Hasan, 2. Soumya Sarkar, 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), 4. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 5. Towhid Hridoy, 6. Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7. Jaker Ali, 8. Rishad Hossain, 9. Tanzim Hasan Sakib/Nahid Rana, 10. Taskin Ahmed, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

Rachin Ravindra was reportedly close to playing the game against Pakistan. If he is ready to go here, who does he come in for given Will Young scored a century? The likely candidate would be Michael Bracewell, but then where does Rachin bat? Questions for the Black Caps.

New Zealand: 1. Will Young, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Rachin Ravindra/Michael Bracewell, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. Tom Latham (wk), 7. Glenn Phillips, 8. Mitchell Santner (c), 9. Nathan Smith/Kyle Jamieson, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Will O’Rourke

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

There have been just five ODIs on this ground since 2006. Pakistan played three ODIs against Zimbabwe in 2020, followed by two against New Zealand in 2023. The average first innings score in these matches is 277.8, with the chasing team winning three times.

A cloudy day is forecast in Rawalpindi with a top of 24 degrees. This cloud cover could reduce dew at night. There is no chance of rain according to AccuWeather.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for BAN vs NZ: Top Picks/Key Players to Watch

Top wicket-keeper picks:

  • Devon Conway has 270 runs in four ODIs against Bangladesh (avg. 67.50). This includes a fifty and century.
  • Tom Latham is a strong pick especially if New Zealand bats first. Latham is coming off a superb century against Pakistan and averages 56.50 in 14 innings against Bangladesh.

Key batter picks:

  • Will Young is also coming off an excellent hundred against Pakistan. In eight ODIs against Bangladesh, Young has scored 360 runs at an average of 51.42. This includes three fifties and a century.
  • Kane Williamson missed out against Pakistan but can be backed to come good here. In 12 ODIs against Bangladesh, Williamson has scored 500 runs at an average of 62.50 (SR 73.20).
  • Towhid Hridoy hit a century of his own in the last game against India. Given Bangladesh’s top order worries, Hridoy can get a good opportunity to bat and acquire Dream11 fantasy points.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted at four in the last game and has a key role in the Bangladesh attack. He has just five wickets in 12 ODIs against New Zealand, but should thrive more in Asian conditions.
  • Mitchell Santner is in outstanding form. He has picked up ten wickets in his past five ODIs. Axar Patel enjoyed success against Bangladesh earlier this tournament, and Santner will be looking for the same.
  • Glenn Phillips is a livewire in all three facets of the game. He smashed 61* (39) against Pakistan and bowled nine overs. Although he went wicketless, the fact he’s being called on to bowl provides opportunity for Dream11 fantasy points.

Key bowler picks:

  • It’s hard to look past Will O’Rourke, who has taken seven wickets in his past two ODIs. The pace and bounce he generates can be very disconcerting for the Bangladeshi batsmen to handle.
  • Bangladesh’s brittle top order can mean good news for Matt Henry. He has picked up 17 wickets in nine ODIs against the Tigers at an average of 22.70.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

  • Daryl Mitchell has smashed 201 ODI runs against Bangladesh at a strike rate of 121.81. He is yet to be dismissed. He can be a great pick in fantasy cricket, but keep an eye on where he is listed in the final XI.
  • Pitches so far in Pakistan have aided quality spin, so Rishad Hossain can be worth a try. The legspinner bowled nicely in Dubai against India (2/38), although that pitch had more assistance.
  • Bangladesh have a number of left-handers in their lineup, so expect Michael Bracewell to get through overs in some potentially favourable matchups.

Key Matchups to keep in mind

  • Taskin Ahmed vs Kane Williamson: 74 balls, 46 runs, two dismissals.
  • Daryl Mitchell has fine numbers against Taskin Ahmed (24 balls, 37 runs) and Mustafizur Rahman (31 balls, 43 runs).
  • Matt Henry vs Soumya Sarkar: 40 balls, 38 runs, three dismissals.

CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Rawalpindi Pitch Report for the 6th match of CT 2025 between New Zealand & Bangladesh
CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Rawalpindi Pitch Report for the 6th match of CT 2025 between New Zealand & Bangladesh
CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 6th Match: BAN vs NZ Match Prediction: Who will win?

New Zealand should win this match.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

Australia winning mentality praised after chasing 352 against England in Champions Trophy

Charbel Coorey
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0
Australia winning mentality praised after chasing 352 against England in Champions Trophy

Australia’s winning mentality was on show again, this time pulling off the highest successful run chase in any ICC ODI tournament (Champions Trophy or World Cup). The Australians were in big trouble twice with Travis Head (6) and Steve Smith (5) out cheaply before the fifth over, before they fell to 136/4 in the 23rd over, still needing 216 to win.

According to Win Predictor, Australia had a 19% chance of victory. But, they controlled the game from there. Earlier this month, I wrote that Australia must find a way to play both Josh Inglis and Alex Carey in the XI, and it worked a charm. The two were absolutely outstanding, keeping things ticking over to stay in touch with the required run rate. They put on 146 crucial runs, and by the time Carey was out, Australia needed 70 off 50 and were favourites.

The superb Inglis went to another gear, smashing boundary after boundary when it came down to the crunch overs. He finished with an 86-ball 120*, in the process becoming the fifth Australian – male or female – to score a century in all three formats. Glenn Maxwell, who England needed at the crease 15 overs earlier, smashed 32* off 15 to get Australia home with a whopping 15 balls to spare.

Truth be told, this is a memorable win for Australia. Without Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh, the current ODI World Champions were written off by many and near full-strength England were expected to cast them aside.

However, Steve Smith’s team held in for most of the contest, starting with the ball as they restricted England to what seemed a below par 351 in conditions every batter dreams of. Nathan Ellis was particularly impressive despite finishing wicketless, maintaining an economy rate of under five for most of his spell on the Lahore road. Then, as England’s one dimensional attack struggled for impact, Inglis, Carey and Maxwell took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Reactions: Australia praised for winning mentality after beating England by 5 wickets in Lahore

Michael Vaughan, who had predicted an England win before the match, praised Australia for their “incredible chase”. Both Australia and rival fans were full of praise for the team, with one fan writing “to think that Australia managed this monumental win without Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Marsh and Green, with Head and Smith failing, is batshit crazy. Only Australia, honestly.”

Here are some of the reactions to a superb Australian win to kickstart their Champions Trophy campaign.

Next up for Australia is a tough assignment against South Africa in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. For England, they must beat Afghanistan in Lahore on Wednesday to stay alive in this Champions Trophy

Most centuries in a single Champions Trophy tournament

Charbel Coorey
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Most centuries in a single Champions Trophy tournament

It has been centuries galore in the early part of the 2025 Champions Trophy, with seven players notching up hundreds in the first four matches.

It has begged the question – what is the record for most centuries in a single edition of Champions Trophy? There have been nine editions of this tournament to date, and in this article, we will look at the top five in terms of most centuries.

List of Champions Trophy tournaments with the most individual centuries

13 centuries in the 2025 tournament* (Pakistan and UAE)

The 2025 edition set a new record during the eighth match between Afghanistan and England.

Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118*) both hit tons in the opening game against Pakistan. Towhid Hridoy (100) and Shubman Gill (101*) scored centuries in the following game. Ryan Rickelton (103) played beautifully against Afghanistan, followed by Ben Duckett’s mammoth 165 against Australia in Lahore. Then, Josh Inglis produced an outstanding innings in the same game.

Virat Kohli (100* vs Pakistan), Rachin Ravindra (112 vs Bangladesh) and Ibrahim Zadran (177 vs England) took the total to ten. Joe Root (120 vs Afghanistan) scored the record-breaking 11th, before Ravindra hit his second ton of the tournament in the semi-final against South Africa. Kane Williamson hit the 12th hundred in the same game.

10 centuries in the 2017 tournament (England)

The 2017 edition of the Champions Trophy has the equal-most centuries with ten. Tamim Iqbal (128) and Joe Root (133*) both hit tons in the tournament opener. Eight other players scored centuries. Here is the list:

  • Kane Williamson (100 vs Australia).
  • Hashim Amla (103 vs Sri Lanka).
  • Shikhar Dhawan (125 vs Sri Lanka).
  • Shakib Al Hasan (114 vs New Zealand).
  • Mahmudullah (102* vs New Zealand).
  • Ben Stokes (102* vs Australia).
  • Rohit Sharma (123* vs Bangladesh).
  • Fakhar Zaman (114 vs India).

10 centuries in the 2002 tournament (Sri Lanka)

There were also ten centuries in the 2002 edition. Sri Lankan great Sanath Jayasuriya scored the first with 102* against Pakistan, before Herschelle Gibbs scored two of his own (116 vs Kenya and 116* vs India).

Here are the other centuries:

  • Mohammad Kaif (111* vs Zimbabwe).
  • Andy Flower (145 vs India).
  • Marvan Atapattu (101 vs Netherlands).
  • Brian Lara (111 vs Kenya).
  • Marcus Trescothick (119 vs Zimbabwe).
  • Virender Sehwag (126 vs England).
  • Sourav Ganguly (117* vs England).

7 centuries in the 2006 tournament (India)

India hosted the 2006 tournament where four players achieved seven hundreds. Chris Gayle scored three on his own (104* vs Bangladesh, 101 vs England and 133* vs South Africa). Upul Tharanga scored two (105 vs Bangladesh and 110 vs Zimbabwe). Shahriar Nafees (123* vs Zimbabwe) and Dwayne Bravo (112* vs England) were the other centurions.

6 centuries in the 2009 tournament (South Africa)

It was Australia’s tournament in 2009 as they accounted for three of the six centuries in their title-winning campaign. Shane Watson hit two unbeaten tons (136* vs England and 105* vs New Zealand), while Ricky Ponting hit a ton of his own (111* vs England). Tillakaratne Dilshan (106 vs South Africa), Shoaib Malik (128 vs India), Graeme Smith (141 vs England) were the other centurions.

6 centuries in the 2000 tournament (Kenya)

Avishka Gunawardene (132) hit the first century of the 2000 edition against West Indies. Pakistan legend Saeed Anwar hit the next two (105* vs Sri Lanka and 104 vs New Zealand). India legend Sourav Ganguly scored the next two (141* vs South Africa and 117 vs New Zealand) before Chris Cairns hit 102* against India.

List of most valuable IPL teams in 2025

Charbel Coorey
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List of most valuable IPL teams in 2025

The financial status of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has soared to new heights heading into 2025, headlined by incredibly valuable teams. According to consultancy firm Brand Finance, the IPL’s cumulative brand value increased from US$10.7 billion in 2023 to US$12 billion in 2024.

The league continues to attract astronomical viewing figures. Fans are more engaged than ever, particularly on digital platforms.

“IPL 2024 witnessed a significant paradigm shift, with four franchise brands now surpassing the USD100 million mark in brand value and experiencing dramatic increases in central revenue shares,” said Ajimon Francise, Managing Director of Brand Finance India.

“Digital viewership has overtaken traditional TV numbers, while domestic batters and bowlers are emerging as key performers. Does this mark a dramatic turn for the IPL, signalling a positive transformation for the league’s future?”

Most valuable IPL teams in 2025: Which team comes out on top?

1. Chennai Super Kings: US$122 million

Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are the most valuable IPL franchise at US$122 million. They grew 52% from 2023. According to Brand Finance‘s global market research, MS Dhoni’s “appeal and influence” continues to drive this brand growth.

Most valuable IPL teams 2025: MS Dhoni has been a central figure of CSK.

2. Mumbai Indians: US$119 million

Mumbai Indians (MI), who also have five titles to their name, come in close second. MI are valued at US$119 million, with 36% growth year-on-year. This is despite a few disappointing seasons recently by their standards, with “familiarity” and “appeal” a key factor in their value.

3. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: US$117 million

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coming in at number three just goes to show how passionate the fanbase is. Despite not winning a men’s IPL title as yet, the franchise is valued at US$117 million, up 67% on the previous year. RCB’s brand value is “due to its incredibly loyal and passionate fanbase” according to Brand Finance.

4. Kolkata Knight Riders: US$109 million

Three-time winners and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) come in at fourth. Their brand value of US$109 million represents a 38% increase on the previous year, with their title-winning campaign in 2024 certainly contributing to that.

Cricket News: A look at the possible playing 11 for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for their first game of IPL 2024 against Sunrisers Hyderabad
Most valuable IPL teams in 2025: Shreyas Iyer led KKR to the title in 2024.

5. Sunrisers Hyderabad: US$85 million

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) had a memorable season in 2024, falling short in the final against KKR. With the likes of Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen lighting up the tournament, SRH enjoyed the biggest increase in brand value, up 76% to US$85 million.

SRH saw the biggest change in brand value from 2023. Source: Brand Finance.

6. Rajasthan Royals: US$81 million

Rajasthan Royals (RR) grew 30% to US$81 million. The likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson are among the most popular cricketers in India, and one can only imagine this brand value will increase significantly if the franchise has a successful 2025 season.

7. Delhi Capitals: US$80 million

Delhi Capitals (DC) are seeking their first men’s IPL title and have endured a few lean seasons recently. As a result, they achieved the second-lowest growth figure of 24% year-on-year, with an US$80 million value.

8. Gujarat Titans: US$69 million

Gujarat Titans (GT), who won the title in their first season (and came runners up in their second), had a tougher year in 2024. They lost Hardik Pandya to MI and Mohammed Shami missed the campaign. Their brand value grew just 5% to US$69 million.

9. Punjab Kings: US$68 million

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are seeking a turnaround in fortunes on the field. With Ricky Ponting on board as coach, the franchise is aiming for their first playoffs’ appearance since 2014. They were very active in the IPL 2025 auction with some massive purchases, most notably Shreyas Iyer for INR26.75 crore. Their brand value grew by a solid 49% to US$68 million last year.

10. Lucknow Super Giants: US$60 million

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) round out the list with a brand value of US$60 million. They grew 29% year-on-year, and will be seeking a return to the playoffs after missing out in 2024.

A look at the most valuable IPL teams in 2025 - Is it Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians or Kolkata Knight Riders?
Most valuable IPL teams in IPL 2025. Credit: Brand Finance.

IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 5th Match

Robin Rounder
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IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction Possible 11 Pitch Report – CT 2025 5th Match

It’s time for the biggest rivalry in cricket and arguably in all sports – India vs Pakistan – as they take each other on in the 5th match of the 2025 Champions Trophy (CT).

India defeated Bangladesh comprehensively at the end by six wickets in their first game. Shubman Gill (101* runs), Rohit Sharma (41 runs) and KL Rahul (41* runs) did a good job with the bat after India restricted Bangladesh to 228 runs. Mohammed Shami was the star with the ball as he picked up five wickets. Harshit Rana (3 wickets) and Axar Patel (2 wickets) also chipped in.

Virat Kohli’s form will be a concern for India but they’ll be pretty confident coming into this game. Their batters are in top form and the bowlers are performing consistently. Overall, they are looking pretty solid as a team.

On the other hand, Pakistan lost their first game of the tournament by 60 runs. After that, they have now lost Fakhar Zaman which is a body blow for the hosts. Babar Azam got a lot of heat for his slow knock. Other batters like Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir must take responsibility if Pakistan is to win this game.

Pakistan lacks batting depth and the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have been hot and cold as a pace unit in recent weeks. They will have to perform as a team to give themselves a chance to compete against the Indian team. Skipper Rizwan will have to lead from the front as a loss in this game will almost be the end of their campaign.

CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Probable Playing XIs

No changes are expected in the Indian side for this high-profile clash.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma (c), 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Virat Kohli, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. KL Rahul (wk), 6. Axar Patel, 7. Hardik Pandya, 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Harshit Rana, 11. Mohammed Shami

Imam-ul-Haq has replaced Fakhar Zaman in the squad for Pakistan. One or two changes are also expected for Pakistan in this game.

Pakistan: 1. Babar Azam, 2. Imam-ul-Haq, 3. Saud Shakeel/Kamran Ghulam, 4. Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), 5. Salman Agha, 6. Tayyab Tahir/Faheem Ashraf, 7. Khushdil Shah, 8. Shaheen Afridi, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Haris Rauf, 11. Abrar Ahmed

Dubai International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the second game of the tournament at this venue. The first game between India and Bangladesh had good aid for the spinners. There was turn and grip on offer for them. There wasn’t any dew in the second innings but batting looked a bit easier in the latter half.

Overall, the spinners will be into the game and the batters, once set, will be in for a big score. But, the likes of Mohammed Shami, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are expected to extract some swing with the new ball.

A bright sunny day is on the forecast, with the highest temperature being 27 degrees Celsius. Humidity will be around 40-50% during the game.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for IND vs PAK: Players to Watch/Key Stats

Note: Try to pick more batters and all-rounders if you are playing on Dream11. The new point system rewards the batters heavily.

Top Wicket-Keeper Picks:

  • KL Rahul looked good in the first game with the bat. He scored 41* runs and will be a key batter for India in the middle-order. He has 187 runs in three ODIs against Pakistan at an average of 187 with a hundred and a fifty to his name.
  • Mohammad Rizwan has 51 runs in two ODIs against India with the highest score of 49. He will be a key batter for his team and will be a valuable pick in fantasy cricket for this game. Rizwan is the third-highest run-scorer for his side in ODIs since 2024: 438 runs in 11 innings at an average of 54.75 with two fifties and a century.

Key batter picks:

  • Rohit Sharma looked in good touch in the first game where he scored crucial 41 runs. He has scored 873 runs in 19 innings against Pakistan at an average of 51.40 with eight fifties and two centuries to his name. Rohit will be a key batter for his team in this game and a top fantasy pick.
  • Shubman Gill has been in sublime form lately. He is India’s highest run-scorer in ODIs since 2024 with 417 runs in seven innings including two fifties and two centuries. Gill averages 69.50 during this time. He scored a match-winning hundred in the last match.
  • Virat Kohli is going through a lean patch with the bat but he loves playing against Pakistan. Virat has 678 runs in 16 innings and averages 52.20 against them in ODIs. He has scored three hundreds and a couple of fifties as well.

Top all-rounder picks:

  • Axar Patel picked up two wickets in the last game and he’s been constantly batting at number five in the last few matches. He will be a must in your fantasy team considering his dual value with both bat and ball. 
  • Ravindra Jadeja is another key fantasy pick for this game. Jadeja was in good form in the recent series against England and he can trouble Pakistan’s struggling middle-order, not to mention his capability with the bat.
  • Salman Agha has been one of the best batters for Pakistan in 50-over cricket in the last few months. He has 470 runs in 10 ODIs since 2024 at an average of 52.22 with a fifty and a hundred. Agha is the second-highest run-scorer for his team in ODIs since 2024.

Key bowler picks:

  • Mohammed Shami picked up five wickets in the first game against Bangladesh. He looked in good rhythm and will lead India’s pace attack. Shami has picked up five wickets in three ODIs against Pakistan. He will be a top fantasy pick for this game.
  • Shaheen Afridi has seven wickets in three ODIs against India. His current form is not that great but he can trouble the Indian top order when on song. Shaheen is handy with the bat as well.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Team

  • Shreyas Iyer has been a consistent performer at number four for Team India. He had a stellar World Cup back in 2023 and was in good form in the last year as well. You can try him as C/VC if India’s batting first.
  • Babar Azam has only one fifty against India in 7 ODIs. He did score 64 in the last game but it took him 90 deliveries and the Indian spinners can get him cheaply. Despite that, he will be a good pick in fantasy cricket. Babar has 218 runs in seven innings against India at an average of 31.10 including a fifty.

Other Matchups and Facts

  • Virat Kohli needs 15 runs to complete 14,000 runs in ODI cricket.
  • Shaheen Afridi has dismissed Shubman Gill twice in 28 deliveries for 29 runs in ODIs.
  • Kuldeep Yadav has dismissed Babar Azam twice for just 28 runs in 52 deliveries in ODIs.

CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams.

Option 1:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 5th match of CT 2025 between India and Pakistan.
CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Possible XIs, Dubai Pitch Report for the 5th match of CT 2025 between India and Pakistan.
CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Dream11 Prediction

CT 2025 5th Match: IND vs PAK Match Prediction: Who will win?

India will start as the clear favourite to win this match. They have excellent depth in their squad, especially with the bat and Pakistan will miss Fakhar Zaman in this match. India to win this game comfortably.

Written by Robin Rounder. Follow Robin on X @robin_rounder

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes, with the stats and writer’s views in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

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