By Smrati Khare 4 hours ago
Australia’s pace spearhead Pat Cummins is not featuring in today’s Champions Trophy 2025 Group Stage match against Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. His absence has raised several questions among fans, as the fast bowler is a key figure in Australia’s setup.
Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 due to workload management and fitness concerns. The Australian management rested Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, opting to field a completely new-look pace attack for this tournament.
Rest and Recovery – Cummins had a packed schedule, playing the Test series against West Indies and New Zealand before the tournament.
Injury Precaution – Though not injured, Cricket Australia prioritized managing his workload ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.
Squad Rotation – Australia has gone with a young and fresh pace attack, allowing ,Spencer Johnson Nathan Ellis, and Ben Dwarshuis to prove their mettle on the big stage.
Steve Smith has taken over the captaincy in Cummins’ absence, leading the side in today’s crucial encounter against Afghanistan.
Australia’s Bowling Strategy Without Cummins
With no Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, or Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s bowling lineup for Champions Trophy 2025 looks completely revamped.
Today’s Playing XI for Australia:
Steve Smith (C)
Josh Inglis (WK)
Ben Dwarshuis
Nathan Ellis
Spencer Johnson
Who Replaces Cummins in the Bowling Attack?
Spencer Johnson – The left-arm pacer gets a golden opportunity to shine on the international stage.
Nathan Ellis – A dependable right-arm quick who has already shown promise in T20 cricket.
Ben Dwarshuis – Left-arm seamer known for his ability to swing the ball in the powerplay.
The Australian team is banking on its all-rounders like Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short to provide additional bowling options in Cummins’ absence.
How Does Cummins’ Absence Affect Australia?
Cummins’ experience is invaluable, but Australia has shown its ability to win even without its first-choice attack. They successfully chased down 352 runs against England, with their new-look bowling lineup putting in a respectable performance.
However, against Afghanistan’s strong spin attack, the Aussies will need their bowlers to keep things tight and take early wickets to avoid any upset.
Afghanistan’s Key Players to Watch:
Ibrahim Zadran – Scored a record-breaking 177 against England.
Azmatullah Omarzai – A rising all-rounder with a five-wicket haul in the last game.
Rashid Khan & Noor Ahmad – World-class spinners who can trouble the Australian batting lineup.
Australia’s Qualification Scenario
With one win in the tournament so far, Australia must win today’s match to confirm their spot in the semi-finals.
Possible Scenarios for Australia’s Semi-Final Qualification:
Win vs Afghanistan → Australia qualifies for the semis
If the match is washed out → Australia will qualify with 3 points
Loss vs Afghanistan → Qualification depends on net run rate (NRR)
Afghanistan, too, is in contention for a semi-final berth and will be desperate for a win.
Final Thoughts
While Pat Cummins’ absence is a big talking point, Australia still has a well-rounded squad to take on Afghanistan. The new pacers will be tested in a high-stakes encounter, but Steve Smith’s leadership and Australia’s deep batting lineup could give them the edge.
Can Australia secure a semi-final spot without their first-choice fast bowlers? Or will Afghanistan pull off another upset? Stay tuned for all the latest updates on Cricadium!
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