Champions Trophy 2025: Check Group B semifinal qualification scenarios after AUS vs SA washout in Rawalpindi

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match between Australia and South Africa was washed out due to rain (AP Photo)

When the seventh match of the ICC Champions Trophy was abandoned without a ball bowled shortly after 5pm local time at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, it pushed both Australia and South Africa a step closer to the last four. England and Afghanistan, who meet in Lahore on Wednesday, now know that the loser can start packing their bags for the journey home. With Australia’s final game against Afghanistan – who nearly upset them in the 2023 World Cup before Glenn Maxwell’s miraculous double-hundred from 92/7 – on Friday, the chances are that the group winners will be decided when South Africa and England meet in Karachi on Saturday.

Last chance for England and Afghanistan

The pressure is now squarely on England, who were world champions in both white-ball formats as recently as October 2023. Soundly thrashed by Afghanistan in New Delhi during the last World Cup, they will face another trial by spin, led by Rashid Khan. Afghanistan’s batsmen, who scored 284 against England in that World Cup match, might also be quietly confident after seeing how Alex Carey and Josh Inglis took England’s vaunted pace attack to the cleaners.

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Australia, South Africa still the forerunners

The South Africa-Australia encounter was billed as a repeat of the nail-biting World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens. But two power-packed batting line-ups will now have to wait and see if they run into each other later in the competition. As of now, South Africa’s net run-rate (2.14) is significantly better than Australia’s (0.475), giving them the inside rail to finish top of the group.

Who has qualified from Group A?

Group A has already been decided after New Zealand’s victory over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday night, with the only interest now in finding out whether they or India will top the group. Either way, India will stay on in Dubai to play their semi-final on March 4, with New Zealand having to fly to Lahore for their game on March 5.

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With Pakistan’s exit and Group A being such a damp squib, so much of the interest around the tournament has dissipated. It’s now up to England and Afghanistan to ramp up the drama and set the stage for the matches that will decide who tops Group B on Friday and Saturday. For now, both South Africa and Australia have the door ajar to the last four.