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Australia certified for the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals after their Group B match towards Afghanistan was washed out in Lahore on Friday. Due to the consequence, Australia have 4 factors from 3 matches whereas Afghanistan and South Africa each have 3 factors every. Nonetheless, South Africa have performed one recreation much less and they’re going to tackle England of their last Group B encounter on Saturday. If South Africa win the sport, they are going to be a part of Australia within the semifinals because the group-topper with 5 factors.
Nonetheless, a loss for South Africa towards England may open the door for Afghanistan because the second semi-final spot from Group B will then be determined by Internet Run Fee (NRR). At current, South Africa maintain the benefit as they’ve a far superior NRR as of now.
The match was halted by a downpour when Australia have been 109 for 1 in 12.5 overs, chasing a goal of 274. Regardless of the bottom staffs’ efforts to clear the sector, a number of swimming pools of water remained on the pitch and the umpires in the end declared the match deserted after an inspection.
The interruption got here simply an hour earlier than the cut-off time for finishing the match.
With the sport referred to as off, Australia superior to the semifinals with 4 factors. Their final match towards South Africa in Rawalpindi was additionally deserted.
On the time of interruption, Travis Head was in excellent kind, having scored 59 runs off 40 balls, together with 9 fours and one six.
His knock got here after a fortunate reprieve when Rashid Khan dropped him on six, diving at mid-on off Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Head capitalised on this chance and dominated the Afghanistan bowlers, notably taking 28 runs off Farooqi’s 17 balls.
Skipper Steve Smith was on the different finish, enjoying a extra measured knock with 19 not out from 22 balls, together with two boundaries.
With no consequence from this match, Afghanistan’s likelihood is slim and would depend upon the results of Saturday’s match between South Africa and England.
If South Africa win, they are going to prime the group with 5 factors.
If England emerges victorious, South Africa and Afghanistan will each end on three factors, resulting in a web run-rate (NRR) calculation.
Afghanistan’s present NRR of -0.99 would nearly definitely remove them except South Africa loses by a margin of over 200 runs.
Earlier within the day, Afghanistan posted a aggressive complete of 273, largely on account of Sediqullah Atal’s gritty 85 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive 67.
Atal anchored the innings after a shaky begin, nevertheless it was Omarzai’s late fireworks which propelled Afghanistan previous 270 after they have been 235 for 8 following Rashid Khan’s dismissal.
Omarzai’s 63-ball knock beneath strain had 5 sixes and one 4. He launched two large sixes off Nathan Ellis within the penultimate over, together with a wide ranging 102m hit over midwicket, sending the ball over Glenn Maxwell on the boundary.
He then struck a towering six large of long-off as Afghanistan produced a late flourish for a complete that may give their spin-heavy bowling lineup an enormous enhance.
However he received out within the last over off Ben Dwarshuis who additionally dismissed Noor Ahmed within the last supply of the day to complete with figures of three/47 from 9 overs.
World champions Australia additionally leaked 37 runs in extras that included 17 wides.
(With PTI inputs)
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