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Why Was The Australia vs South Africa Champions Trophy Match Called Off Early In Rawalpindi?

Aashay Chopade

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Source: AP Photos)Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Source: AP Photos)

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Things are heating up in Champions Trophy 2025, and rain gods have added more spice to the proceedings by playing spoilsport in the 7th game of the tournament between Australia and South Africa. The match was called off at 5:43 PM IST, more than two hours earlier than the cut-off time for the 20-over game and it has raised some questions over the quality of the drainage system.

The Rawalpindi Drainage system has faced criticism in the past and now even after the renovation, the quality of the drainage system has surely not improved a lot. Combined with the drainage factor, the rain was constant throughout the afternoon, and it was supposed to get heavier in the evening which prompted match officials to call off the game early.

PCB Faces Criticism After Washout In Rawalpindi

Both the teams have got one point each, and it has made qualification race for the semis quite intense with all four countries in contention. There are some chances of rain in the next few encounters and it could all come down to Net run-rate in the end. Various cricket pundits have raised their concern though over the drainage system in Pakistan despite the recent renovation and if more games get washed out, PCB is likely to face heavy criticism.

India and New Zealand have already qualified for the semis while from Group B, South Africa and Australia are the best placed team with three points in their kitty from two matches. The next game at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is between Pakistan and Bangladesh which is a dead-rubber while Afghanistan will take on England in Lahore on Wednesday, 26th of February.