Rain Washout in AUS vs AFG clash in Champions Trophy 2025
The all-important Group B encounter between Australia and Afghanistan is set to be played on Friday, February 28 and weather is due to play a key role in deciding fate of the teams in qualifying for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025. A couple of games have already been washed out due to rain and the upcoming match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium must produce a result for either sides to qualify without depending on others.
Current Standings in Group B
- South Africa top the Group B table with three points from a couple of games. Australia also have three points.
- Afghanistan won the last game against England, which ruled the latter out of the competition.
Major Scenarios in case of Washout
1. Australia to qualify, Afghanistan to get knocked out
- If the match is washed out due to weather reasons, both teams will gain a point each, which will take Australia to the top of the table with four points and confirm their qualification for the semi-finals. Afghanistan, on the other hand, will have to book their return ticket in such case as they won’t be able to surpass South Africa’s net run-rate (NRR) despite both teams having three points.
2. Winner goes through
- If the rain interruption does not affect the match result, the winner of the match will go through to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Conclusion
A rain delay would confirm Australia and South Africa as the semi-finalists from the Group B, who will face India and New Zealand in the later stages of the tournament. Only a win can help Afghanistan qualify, and thus, they would be hoping for the rain gods to be kind. Even if South Africa lose their upcoming match against England, it won’t matter to them in case the Aussies win over the Afghans. Thus, the Proteas would be hoping for Australia’s win to qualify without caring much about the result of their own match.
India
