Cricket betting tips: Afghanistan v England predictions, preview and best bets for ICC Champions Trophy match

Wednesday’s cricketing action sees a high-stakes encounter between England and Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both sides enter this match knowing that anything less than a victory will spell the end of their Champions Trophy campaign. Read on to find a detailed preview and the best bet reccomandation for this clash, and don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

Cricket betting tips: Afghanistan v England in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Can England Overcome Afghanistan’s Spin Threat in Lahore?

• Ben Duckett has passed 50 in three of his last four ODI innings, including a century against Australia.
• Afghanistan’s spinners went wicketless in their previous match against South Africa, raising concerns over their effectiveness.
• England’s pacers conceded 226 runs in 26.3 overs against Australia, highlighting their struggles with control and execution.

Our Best Bet

England, coming off a disappointing defeat against Australia, will be looking to reassert their dominance, while Afghanistan need to recover quickly after their heavy loss to South Africa.

England’s batting showed both promise and inconsistency in their previous outing. Ben Duckett was exceptional with a sublime 165, while Joe Root provided some stability, but the rest of the lineup failed to capitalise on a strong platform. The decision to bat Jamie Smith at three instead of Root raised eyebrows, and England’s inability to accelerate towards the end of their innings proved costly. Their bowling attack also struggled, with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood proving expensive, leaving questions about whether they have the right balance in their attack.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, were outclassed by South Africa, failing to build any meaningful partnerships with the bat. Rahmat Shah’s 90 was the only highlight in an otherwise forgettable chase. Their spinners, typically their strongest asset, failed to trouble the South African batters, with Rashid Khan enduring a rare off-day. However, England’s historical struggles against quality spin could work in Afghanistan’s favour, making this an intriguing battle.

The pitch at Lahore has already produced high-scoring encounters, and another run-fest is expected. England may opt to chase if they win the toss, given how Australia overhauled their 352-run total with relative ease. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be hoping to bat first, post a competitive total, and then use their spinners to apply pressure.

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Best Bet for Today: England to Win & Ben Duckett Clear Top England Run Scorer

Given the conditions and recent performances, backing England to win with Ben Duckett as their top run-scorer presents strong value. Duckett is in outstanding form, having delivered a commanding century against Australia. With his ability to score freely against both pace and spin, he is well-placed to be England’s leading batter once again.

Duckett’s recent numbers further solidify his case. His innings of 165 against Australia came at a strike rate of 115, demonstrating both his ability to anchor an innings and score quickly when needed. Importantly, he played the spinners well, which will be crucial against Afghanistan’s attack featuring Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi.

While Root remains a consistent performer, his drop to number four may mean he has fewer balls to face, limiting his scoring potential. Duckett, opening the batting, will have the opportunity to set the tone early and make the most of the powerplay restrictions. Furthermore, the Lahore pitch has shown a preference for aggressive batters who can capitalise on loose deliveries, and Duckett’s attacking mindset makes him a prime candidate for another big score.

On the team front, England should have enough firepower to outscore Afghanistan. While Afghanistan’s bowling attack is well-equipped for these conditions, their batting remains fragile. Their inability to rotate strike in the middle overs has been a consistent issue, and if England can pick up early wickets, they could expose Afghanistan’s vulnerable middle order. England’s pace attack, though expensive against Australia, is likely to trouble Afghanistan’s top order with sheer speed. If Afghanistan lose wickets early, their lack of depth could prove costly.

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