Afghanistan’s chances of reaching the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals depend on an unlikely scenario—England must hand South Africa a massive defeat to overturn the net run rate deficit.
March 1, 2025: Afghanistan’s Semi-Final Hopes Dwindle After Rain-Hit Clash Against Australia
As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches the knockout stage, the tournament’s latter half has been plagued by rain, leading to several match washouts. The latest casualty was the crucial Afghanistan vs Australia match in Lahore on Friday, leaving Afghanistan’s semi-final qualification hopes in jeopardy.
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Afghanistan had a golden opportunity to seal a semi-final spot had they defeated Australia. They posted a competitive total of 273 runs, and Australia was 109/1 in 12.5 overs when rain interrupted play. Ultimately, both teams shared a point, allowing Australia to qualify for the semi-finals with four points. Afghanistan, however, was left in a precarious situation, needing a near-impossible outcome in the final Group B match to progress.
Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Australia Secure Semi-Finals Spot as Rain Ends Afghanistan’s Hopes
Updated Points Table After AFG vs AUS Washout
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Points | Net Run Rate (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)
Can Afghanistan Still Make It to the Semi-Finals?
Technically, Afghanistan still has a mathematical chance of qualifying for the semi-finals, but it would require an extraordinary sequence of events.
- For Afghanistan to qualify:
- England must beat South Africa by at least 207 runs (if they bat first).
- If chasing, England must complete the run chase in 11.1 overs or fewer (if the target is 300+ runs).
Such a margin of victory is nearly unprecedented in international cricket, making Afghanistan’s qualification hopes extremely slim.
Meanwhile, if South Africa wins against England or even loses by a narrow margin, they will advance to the semi-finals alongside Australia.
What’s Next in the Champions Trophy 2025?
- England vs South Africa (March 1, Karachi) – Will South Africa officially seal the semi-final berth, or will England pull off a miracle to help Afghanistan?
- India vs New Zealand (March 2, Dubai) – Both teams have already qualified; this match will determine the group winner.
- Semi-Finals (March 4 & 5) – Two teams from each group will battle for a spot in the final.
- Final (March 9) – The two best teams will clash for the coveted Champions Trophy.
Afghanistan’s journey in the tournament now depends on an improbable twist in Karachi. With their fate out of their hands, all they can do is hope for a historic upset.
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