Champions Trophy 2025: How Afghanistan Can Still Qualify For Semifinals After Rain Plays Spoilsport Against Australia

Afghanistan's Champions Trophy future is hanging over a thread. Rain played a spoilsport again as one point has been shared between Australia and Afghanistan in Lahore on Friday.

This is the third match in this edition which had to be called off due to persistent rain. Following the result, Australia have now qualified for the semifinals with four points in their kitty. Afghanistan are yet to face an elimination but they would need a massive favour from England who will face South Africa in the final Group B fixture.

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How Can Afghanistan Qualify For Champions Trophy Semifinal

South Africa are comfortably positioned in the second place with three points and they boast of a brilliant 2.140 Net Run rate. If Afghanistan are to advance to the semifinal, the Three Lions need to inflict a huge 207 run defeat on the Proteas. If England bat second, they need to chase the runs within 11.1 overs, provided the score is 300.

In all practicality, South Africa are likely to join Australia in the semifinals as the current situation favours them heavily.

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Australia Will Seek To Add Another ICC Title

Coming to the match, Afghanistan could have piled on more runs on the board. But except for Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai no other Afghan batters could manage to put up big scores. The Aussies bowlers bowled a very controlled line and length limiting the Afghan batters much to their delight. The outcome of the match could have been different but some very poor fuelding has now left Afghanistan on thd brink of elimination. Travis Head was dropped by Rashid Khan on 6 and the southpaw went on to score a quickfire 59 of 40 balls.

Australia will be very happy with the way things have panned oit so far and captain Steve Smith will fancy another shot at an ICC title.