Afghanistan’s victory over England has kept them in the race for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals, alongside Australia and South Africa. Each team’s qualification scenario hinges on their upcoming performances, particularly the crucial match between Afghanistan and Australia on February 28, which will determine their paths. South Africa holds a strong position, needing only a win over England to secure their place.
Afghanistan remains in contention for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following their narrow victory over England by eight runs at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on February 26. With England eliminated from the tournament, Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa are set to compete for two semi-final positions available from Group B. This analysis outlines the qualification scenarios for these three teams.
For Afghanistan, the path is clear: they must secure a win against Australia on February 28 to guarantee their advancement to the semi-finals. Should they lose, they will be knocked out of contention, allowing both Australia and South Africa to progress. If the match is abandoned due to adverse weather, Australia’s advancement will also be assured.
Australia’s qualification conditions are nearly identical to those of Afghanistan. They must triumph over Afghanistan to cement their place in the knockout stage. However, if Australia loses by a narrow margin, they will require a significant victory from England over South Africa to remain in the competition, as South Africa’s net run rate (NRR) is significantly higher.
As the highest-ranked team in Group B, South Africa understands its qualifications well. Their match against England on March 1 will determine their fate. A win will secure their passage to the semi-finals, while a loss must be by a limited margin to ensure qualification. South Africa will also progress if their match ends in a washout.
In the event of match cancellations for both Afghanistan-Australia and South Africa-England, both Australia and South Africa will qualify from Group B, ensuring their advancement without needing to play the matches.
In summary, Afghanistan needs to beat Australia to secure a semi-final spot, while Australia has similar stakes depending on the outcome of their match. South Africa, as the top team, can advance by beating England or ensuring a careful loss. Possible rainouts would favor Australia and South Africa. The competition remains tense as all three teams fight for advancement in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Original Source: www.cricket.com
