Australia advanced to the Champions Trophy semi-finals after their match against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain. With a score of 109-1 in response to Afghanistan’s 273, they secured four points overall. Captain Steve Smith expressed satisfaction with their progression, while Afghanistan remains hopeful despite challenging circumstances.
In a rain-affected match against Afghanistan, Australia advanced to the Champions Trophy semi-finals after the game was abandoned. Chasing a target of 274, Australia was at 109-1 in the 13th over when heavy rain forced play to halt. With four points, including two from abandoned matches, they secured their place in the knockout stage, marking a successful progression from the group phase.
Australian captain Steve Smith expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It’s a good result. That’s what we were after at the start of the tournament. To finish in the top two and heading to the semis, satisfying so far.” He also commended his team for restricting Afghanistan to 273 runs and noted their strong position when the rain intervened.
Despite missing key players such as regular captain Pat Cummins, Australia found encouragement in Travis Head’s return to form as they prepared for the tournament’s critical stages. Meanwhile, South Africa stands with three points and is expected to join Australia in the semi-finals after facing an already-eliminated England on Saturday.
Afghanistan remains mathematically in contention with three points, but their poor net run rate limits their chances. Their captain, Hasmatullah Shahidi, stated, “About the tournament, you never know. We still have hopes. We are waiting for the next game, hopefully England win big.” Earlier, Sediqullah Atal scored 85, supported by Azmatullah Omarzai’s quick 67, guiding Afghanistan to 273 all out in their allotted overs.
During the chase, Australia started strongly, benefiting from some notable dropped catches by Afghanistan. Travis Head, who was dropped early in his innings, went on to make a significant contribution with a score of 59 when the rain interrupted, culminating in a rapid fifty in just 34 balls before play was halted.
In summary, Australia’s effective handling of the match against Afghanistan, despite the rain interruption, allowed them to secure a place in the Champions Trophy semi-finals. With commendable performances from players like Travis Head and sound leadership from Steve Smith, Australia exhibited resilience. Afghanistan, while facing elimination, retained hope for future opportunities in the tournament, underscoring the unpredictability of cricket contests.
Original Source: www.flashscore.com
