Australia secured their place in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals after their final group-stage match against Afghanistan was abandoned due to persistent rain and a soggy outfield.

World Cup champions Australia, who had set a record chase of 352 runs against England in their opening match, finished the group stage with four points, despite their last two fixtures in Rawalpindi and Lahore being washed out.

Afghanistan, with three points, now faces an almost impossible task to advance. To make it to the semifinals, they need South Africa to lose by a margin of over 200 runs against the already eliminated England in Saturday’s Group B clash.

On Friday, Afghanistan was bowled out for 273 on the final delivery of their innings. Australia was comfortably placed at 109-1 in 12.5 overs when rain forced the match to be called off.

Travis Head, with a quick-fire half-century off 34 balls, had set Australia off to a flying start, taking advantage of some sloppy fielding and errant fast bowling by Afghanistan. Rashid Khan missed a regulation catch when Head was on six, and the Australian opener capitalized on the opportunity, powering Australia to 90-1 in the batting powerplay.

Afghanistan’s fielding woes continued as substitute fielder Nangeyalia Kharote dropped Matthew Short off Azmatullah Omarzai, only for Kharote to be dismissed shortly after. Omarzai, who had starred with a five-wicket haul against England, was hit for 43 runs off five overs, while Fazalhaq Farooqi went for 32 off three overs.

Sediqullah Atal top-scored for Afghanistan with 85, while Omarzai contributed 63, including five sixes. However, Afghanistan's innings faltered as Spencer Johnson (2-49) and Ben Dwarshuis (3-47) regained control with the old ball, and Afghanistan’s middle order struggled to accelerate.

With the game abandoned, Afghanistan's hopes of progressing now rest on an unlikely turn of events.

Source: Al Jazeera 

BDST: 1323 HRS, FEB 01, 2025
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