Follow UsSpencer Johnson got Australia off to an excellent start as he cleaned up Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck with a pinpoint in-swinging yorker in Match 10 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Lahore. Gurbaz has not been in good form in the tournament, having scored 10 (14) and 6 (15) in the previous two matches.
Johnson, who picked up his first wicket of the tournament, clocked over 140 in all six deliveries and got the breakthrough off the fifth delivery of the first over. With a bit of overcast conditions, there is some swing on offer for the fast bowlers, and the left-arm pacer has made the best of it.
This is a crucial game for both sides, as the winner will go to the final. However, Australia will still have a slim chance of progressing even if they lose, but a loss will be the end of the road for Afghanistan.
Earlier, Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bowl first. They come into this game at the back of a historic eight-run victory against England. On the other hand, Australia beat England in the first game easily, but their game against South Africa was washed out.