Covers on during Champions Trophy match (Source: AP Photos)
The Champions Trophy 2025 is turning out to be one exciting event with plenty of twists and turns along the way. The Group A is sorted with India and New Zealand qualifying for the semis, while Group B qualification scenarios are turning out to be more exciting with Afghanistan knocking out England in a thrilling encounter.
Rain Threat Looms Large Over Crucial Australia vs Afghanistan Match
Now, Australia will take on Afghanistan in a crucial game at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the result of that game will play a big factor in the determining the line-up of semis. However, rain threat is looming large over the game with 71 percent chances of showers in Lahore on Friday.
The two games have already been completely washed out so far, and let's now see how would another abandoned game affect the qualification scenarios of Group B.
Champions Trophy Points Table Group B
| Teams | Played | Won | Loss | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Afghanistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| England | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Note: The South Africa vs Australia game produced no result
Scenario 1: Australia Will Qualify If Match Gets Washed Out
Firstly, if the game between Australia and Afghanistan gets called off due to rain in Lahore, both teams will get one point each. It will take Steve Smith's Kangaroos to four points and they will qualify for the semifinal. South Africa, on the other hand, have three points in their kitty currently and Afghanistan with one point from the abandoned game will equal game.
Scenario 2: If South Africa Win Against England, They Will Qualify With Australia
It would all come down to the game between South Africa and England then. If South Africa win that game, they will move to five points and qualify with Australia.
Scenario 3: If South Africa Lose; Team With Better NRR Between Proteas And Afghanistan Will Qualify
However, if they lose, they will be restricted to three points which would be equal to Afghanistan's tally and the team with better net run-rate will then make it to the semifinal.
At this point in time, South Africa have an advantage of a superior net run-rate of 2.140 compared to Afghanistan's - 0.990. Thus, if the game between Afghanistan and Australia gets washed out, the Afghans would need South Africa too lose pretty badly to overcome their net-run-rate.
Therefore, Afghanistan need the game against Australia to be not hampered by rain and have to win it to make it to the semifinal in their Champions Trophy 2025 debut.
 "Aashay Chopade")
