Australia secures a spot in the Champions Trophy semi-finals as rain halts play against Afghanistan
Australia Advances to Champions Trophy Semi-Finals as Rain Abandons Match Against Afghanistan
Australia has booked a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 after their final group-stage encounter against Afghanistan was called off due to persistent rain at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
The Australians, who kicked off their campaign with a commanding victory over arch-rivals England, concluded the group stage with four points. Despite two of their matches ending without a result, their performances were sufficient to secure their position as the first team from Group B to qualify for the semi-finals.
Afghanistan, currently placed third on the points table with three points, still hold a slim hope of progressing. Their qualification now hinges on other outcomes, particularly requiring England to register a massive win over South Africa on Saturday to overturn the significant net run rate deficit against the Proteas.
Before rain interrupted play, Australia had reached 109/1 in 12.5 overs, with Travis Head unbeaten on 59 and skipper Steve Smith on 19*. The opening pair of Matthew Short and Travis Head provided a brisk start, putting together a quick 44-run stand before Short fell to Azmatullah Omarzai after scoring 20 off 15 balls, including three fours and a six.
Following Short’s dismissal, Head and Smith consolidated with an unbroken 65-run stand, guiding Australia further ahead before the weather forced an early conclusion.
Earlier, Afghanistan batted first and managed to post 273 runs in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to key contributions from Omarzai and Sediqullah Atal. Their innings got off to a rocky start, as Spencer Johnson removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in just the first over.
However, Atal and Ibrahim Zadran steadied the innings with a crucial 67-run partnership before Zadran fell for 22 to Adam Zampa. Afghanistan then lost Rahmat Shah for 12, leaving them at 91/3.
Atal played a pivotal role, anchoring the innings with a well-compiled 85 off 95 balls, striking six fours and three sixes. His departure in the 32nd over triggered a middle-order slump, reducing Afghanistan to 199/7 in 40 overs.
Omarzai, however, fought back with a crucial 67-run knock off 63 balls, featuring one four and five sixes. He stitched together a handy 36-run partnership with Rashid Khan, who chipped in with 19 off 17 deliveries.
In the bowling department, Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa took two wickets apiece, while Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis claimed one each. Ben Dwarshuis was Australia’s standout bowler, bagging three wickets.
With this outcome, Australia cemented their place in the semi-finals, while Afghanistan must now rely on favorable results to keep their campaign alive. The last Group B fixture, featuring England and South Africa, is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, at National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
