Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on Thursday targeted another big scalp in the form of Australia after knocking England out of the Champions Trophy, with a semi-final spot the prize.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Champions Trophy debutants sent England crashing out of the 50-over tournament with a thrilling eight-run victory in Lahore on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Afghanistan similarly stunned then holders England at the 2023 World Cup in India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Next they play world champions Australia at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Friday in their final group match and must win to reach the last four of the eight-nation tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Obviously a win like this boosts every team's confidence and strengthens them," Shahidi said after Afghanistan sent England packing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Our morale has increased even more."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The skipper added: "The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams in the race for the semi-finals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Australia is a tough and good team. I have said this in previous conferences as well -- that we came here to play good cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We will try to play a positive game. Just like we defeated England today, we hope to beat Australia as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We won't put that pressure on ourselves by thinking too much about the semi-final qualification."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rain is forecast in Lahore but even a washout will keep Afghanistan in contention of reaching the semi-finals, but they will then have to depend on other results or net run-rate.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
- Zadran sparkles -<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n Afghanistan, a growing force in white-ball cricket, and Australia have played four ODIs previously with the Australians winning all of them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n At the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had Australia on the ropes at 91-7 when a cramping Glenn Maxwell hammered an unbeaten 201 to pull off victory in hot and humid Mumbai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Afghanistan roared back to beat Australia at last year's T20 World Cup and they reached the semi-finals in a landmark achievement.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Asked about the threat that the big-hitting all-rounder Maxwell poses, Shahidi said: "I know that he played really well in the 2023 World Cup, but that's part of history."<\/p>\r\n\r\n Afghanistan suffered a 107-run hammering to South Africa in their Champions Trophy opener last week but bounced back to post 325-7 against England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177, the highest individual innings in Champions Trophy history, after Afghanistan chose to bat and were struggling on a precarious 37-3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n In reply, England were all out for 317 to suffer their second straight defeat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n The 23-year-old Zadran, who scored 17 against South Africa, is back in action after a long lay-off following ankle surgery.<\/p>\r\n\r\n "Even though he was away from cricket for six months, it's never easy for a player to return from injury and make such a strong comeback in a high-stakes match," said Shahidi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n