Lahore (Web Desk): Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first in their crucial Group B encounter against England at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
With both teams having faced disappointing starts to their Champions Trophy campaigns, this match has taken on added significance.
Afghanistan, making their debut in the tournament, were handed a heavy 107-run defeat by South Africa in their opening game, while England suffered a heartbreaking five-wicket loss to Australia despite posting a daunting total of 351.
England's bowlers struggled to contain Australia's wicketkeeper duo of Josh Inglis and Alex Carey, who played pivotal roles in chasing down the target.
With the match between Australia and South Africa abandoned, England now find themselves in a must-win situation, needing to win both of their remaining group matches to stay alive in the competition.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to reach the semi-finals after their tough start. The pressure is firmly on both teams, as each looks to bounce back and secure vital points in the race for the knockout stages.
The contest is set to be a tense affair, with both teams eager to recover from their earlier setbacks.
Afghanistan will be looking to post a competitive total with the bat, while England will be hoping their bowlers can find their rhythm and make early breakthroughs.
Teams
England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Jamie Smith (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (c), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Afghanistan: Rahmatullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
