Rain yet again played spoilsport during the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as the Group B match between Afghanistan and Australia in Lahore was abandoned on Friday.
Both teams shared a point each, allowing Australia to seal its semifinal berth with four points from three games. Meanwhile, though Afghanistan remained mathematically alive in the tournament, its chances of advancing to the last-four stage dimmed significantly following the washout against Australia.
Though Afghanistan is currently level with South Africa on three points, the Proteas will have an opportunity to take their tally to five points when they face England in Karachi on Saturday.
If South Africa beats England, it will qualify for the semifinals as the top-ranked team from Group B. Meanwhile, even if it loses that game, it is likely to finish ahead of Afghanistan owing to a significantly higher Net Run Rate. Thus, England will have to beat South Africa by at least 207 runs in order for Afghanistan to qualify.
England was knocked out of the tournament after it lost its first two matches of the ongoing competition.
India and New Zealand have qualified for the semifinals from Group A and will face off on Sunday in Dubai to determine which team takes the top spot in the group.
The semifinals will take place 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 Australia (Q) 3 1 0 4 +0.475 South Africa 2 1 0 3 +2.140 Afghanistan 3 1 1 3 -0.990 England 2 0 2 0 -0.305
(Updated after AFG vs AUS match on February 28)
