Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa are contending for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after England’s elimination. Afghanistan must defeat Australia to qualify, while Australia aims for a win to secure progression. South Africa requires a victory over England to ensure their advancement, or else must avoid significant losses or face potential washouts.
Afghanistan remains in contention for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, following their narrow eight-run victory over England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 26. This victory, however, resulted in England’s elimination from the tournament. Consequently, Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa are now vying for the two remaining semi-final slots from Group B.
To qualify, Afghanistan must secure a victory against Australia on February 28. A loss in this match would eliminate them from the competition, allowing Australia and South Africa to advance. Moreover, if Afghanistan’s encounter with Australia is abandoned due to weather, both Australia and South Africa will proceed.
Australia’s road to qualification is nearly identical to Afghanistan’s. They too must achieve a victory over Afghanistan to guarantee their advancement to the knockout stage. However, a narrow loss could still see them qualify if England manages to win against South Africa by a significant margin, thereby adversely affecting South Africa’s net run rate.
On the other hand, South Africa currently holds the strongest position in Group B. Their qualification will depend on their performance against England on March 1. Should South Africa win, they will confirm their place in the semi-finals. In the event of a loss, it is crucial for them to minimize the loss margin. A washout would also guarantee their progression to the next round.
In summary, if both the Afghanistan-Australia and South Africa-England matches are abandoned, it will result in the qualification of Australia and South Africa for the semi-finals from Group B. The outcomes of these upcoming matches are pivotal for each team’s chances in the tournament.
The race for the semi-finals in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is fierce, with Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa all vying for qualification from Group B. Afghanistan must defeat Australia or face elimination, while Australia similarly needs a victory to secure their spot. South Africa’s qualification is contingent upon their match against England. The complexities of net run rates and potential washouts add further intrigue to the tournament landscape.
Original Source: www.cricket.com
