Afghanistan and Australia will lock horns in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday.
However, there is a high chance of rain in the city, which could significantly impact both the teams. In case the match is abandoned, Afghanistan and Australia will share a point each. In such a senario, Australia, which also saw its match against South Africa in Rawalpindi being washed out, will qualify for the semifinals with a tally of four points, while Afghanistan’s chances of progressing to the last-four stage will be significantly dented.
The Afghans will have three points in case of a washout on Friday, and will need England to beat South Africa, which already has three points in the bag, by a huge margin on Saturday.
However, South Africa, which currently tops the Group B standings, boasts of the best Net Run Rate (+2.140) in the group, and it is highly unlikely that its NRR will dip below that of Afghanistan (-0.990) even if it loses against England.
If the Proteas beat England, they will advance to the semifinals as table-topper, with five points, while Australia will enter the last-four stage as the second team from Group B. In case South Africa loses to England, but its Net Run Rate remains higher than Afghanistan’s despite the defeat, Australia will top the table and the Proteas will progress to the semifinals as the second-placed team.
England, which lost its first two matches of the tournament, has already been knocked out of the tournament and can only play a limited role as party pooper.
India and New Zealand have already qualified for the semifinals from Group A.
The two semifinals will be held on March 4 and 5, while the final is scheduled for March 9.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table
Group B
Team Mat. Won Lost Points NRR South Africa 2 1 0 3 +2.140 Australia 2 1 0 3 +0.475 Afghanistan 2 1 1 2 -0.990 England 2 0 2 0 -0.305
(Updated before AFG vs AUS match on February 28)
