Key Points
- Australia qualifies for the semi-finals with 4 points after a rain-affected match.
- Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes hinge on South Africa losing heavily to England.
- Poor drainage at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium sparks criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
New Delhi: The much-anticipated Group B clash between Australia and Afghanistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ended in disappointment as rain forced the match to be abandoned at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The washout secured Australia’s spot in the semi-finals, while Afghanistan’s hopes now rest on an unlikely series of events.
Afghanistan Posts Competitive Total
Batting first, Afghanistan put up a fighting total of 273 runs on a batting-friendly pitch. Sediqullah Atal anchored the innings with a composed 85 off 95 balls, while Azmatullah Omarzai provided late fireworks with a brisk 67 off 63 deliveries. Australia’s bowlers, led by Ben Dwarshuis (3/47), managed to prevent Afghanistan from crossing the 300-run mark despite their strong start.
Australia’s Aggressive Chase Cut Short
In response, Australia began their chase with intent. Travis Head was in scintillating form, smashing an unbeaten 59 off just 40 balls. By the time rain interrupted play in the 13th over, Australia had raced to 109/1 and appeared well on track to secure a comfortable win.
However, persistent rain and poor drainage turned the outfield into a waterlogged mess. Despite efforts from the ground staff, the match was called off, leaving both teams with one point each.
Implications for Group B
The washout propelled Australia to the top of Group B with four points, making them the first team from the group to qualify for the semi-finals. Afghanistan now sits at three points and must rely on England defeating South Africa by a massive margin in Saturday’s game to advance. South Africa, with a superior net run rate (+2.140), is widely expected to secure the second semi-final spot unless England pulls off an extraordinary performance.
Criticism of PCB Over Poor Drainage
The abandonment of yet another match due to rain has drawn sharp criticism of Pakistan’s hosting capabilities. Fans and experts slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for failing to install adequate drainage systems despite spending billions on stadium renovations. This marks the third washout in this year’s tournament, raising questions about whether Pakistan should host future ICC events.
Social media was flooded with images of the rain-soaked Gaddafi Stadium, with fans calling it “third-class” and demanding that future matches be moved to better-equipped venues like Dubai International Stadium.
What’s Next?
With three teams already confirmed for the semi-finals India and New Zealand from Group A, and Australia from Group B all eyes are now on Saturday’s clash between South Africa and England. If South Africa wins or even loses narrowly, they will join Australia in advancing. For Afghanistan, only a miracle can keep their Champions Trophy dreams alive.
