Australia has qualified for the champions Trophy 2025 semifinals due to a washout against Afghanistan. With 4 points from 3 matches, they await the outcome of South Africa’s final match against England, which will affect Group B standings. Afghanistan’s chances of qualification rely heavily on South Africa’s performance and Net Run Rate calculations.
Australia has advanced to the semifinals of the Champions Trophy 2025 following a washed-out match against Afghanistan in Lahore. With the result, Australia secured 4 points from 3 matches, while both Afghanistan and South Africa stand at 3 points each. South Africa, however, has played one fewer game and will compete against England in their final Group B match, which will significantly impact the semifinals standings.
Should South Africa win their encounter against England, they will secure top position in Group B with 5 points, joining Australia in the semifinals. Conversely, a loss for South Africa could bolster Afghanistan’s chances, as the second semifinal spot would then hinge on Net Run Rate (NRR). Presently, South Africa leads with a more favorable NRR.
The match was interrupted by rain with Australia at 109 for 1 in 12.5 overs, aimed at a target of 274. Despite the ground staff’s attempts to clear the field, accumulated water on the pitch led umpires to abandon the match after an inspection, just an hour before the cut-off time to complete it.
Australian opener Travis Head was performing well with a score of 59 runs off 40 balls, including nine fours and one six. His performance was bolstered by a key reprieve when Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan dropped him early in his innings. However, due to the match’s cancellation, Australia’s semifinal chances improved as they accumulated four points.
Afghanistan initially posted a strong total of 273, spearheaded by Sediqullah Atal’s 85 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive 67. Atal played a vital role in stabilizing the innings after a rocky start, while Omarzai’s power hitting in the late overs helped propel Afghanistan past the 270-run mark, which would likely aid their spin-heavy bowling attack.
As it stands, Afghanistan’s chances of progressing depend significantly on the outcome of South Africa’s match against England. If South Africa triumphs, they will finish with five points, leaving Afghanistan with slim prospects. The current NRR for Afghanistan is -0.99, which may lead to their elimination unless South Africa loses by a significant margin.
In summary, the washout of the Afghanistan-Australia match has secured Australia’s advancement to the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals. Afghanistan’s hopes now rely on the South Africa-England match outcome, with potential NRR calculations to determine the second semifinal qualifier. The scenario remains tense as each team vies for the crucial semifinal spots amidst changing dynamics in Group B.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
