How Can Afghanistan Qualify For Champions Trophy Semifinal After Washout vs Australia?

Afghanistan team after rain hampered game vs Australia (Source: AP Photos)

The stage is set for the final Group B encounter of Champions Trophy 2025 and it is South Africa going up against England. Three teams are already into the semis as Australia made it to the knockout courtesy a washout against Afghanistan. It has put the Afghans in an interesting position where they need South Africa to lose by a huge margin against Jos Buttler's England.

How Can Afghanistan Qualify For Champions Trophy 2025 Semifinal?

Currently, Australia are at four points and have qualified while South Africa and Afghanistan are at three points and England are already out with no win in their two matches. South Africa's net run-rate is best in the group with +2.140 while Afghanistan who also have three points have the net run-rate of -0.990.

Now, for Afghanistan to qualify, they need England to beat South Africa by at least 207 runs if they bat first, assuming that they score over 300 runs in the first innings. If they chase, they would have to do so in just 11.1 overs (considering that the first innings total is over 300). 

The equation shows that Afghanistan need a miracle to make it to the semis and their best possible chance was to win the game against Australia and qualify directly. However, rain did not allow the result of the game as it started pelting down in the 13th over, forcing players to go off. The rain stopped, but the drainage system at the Gaddafi stadium did not help matters and huge water puddles forced the officials to call off the game.

The South Africa and England game will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi and if the Proteas win the game, they will top the group with five points in their kitty.

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