After a rain-affected match, both teams shared a point, leaving Afghanistan’s path to the final more challenging.
Australia booked their spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals after their match against Afghanistan was called off due to rain at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
The abandonment of the game saw the Australians progress to the knockout stage, while Afghanistan’s chance of advancing ended, despite posting a competitive total of 273 runs earlier in the day.
Australia started aggressively, benefitting from Afghanistan’s dropped catches off both Travis Head and Matthew Short, who contributed to a 44-run opening partnership. Afghanistan made their first breakthrough in the fifth over when Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Short, caught by Naib.
Head, along with captain Steve Smith, built a solid stand, bringing the total to 109 in 12.5 overs before rain interrupted play. The heavy downpour prevented the match from resuming, and after nearly two hours, the umpires called off the game.
As a result, both teams shared one point. Australia secured their spot in the semi-finals, while Afghanistan’s path to the final became more challenging, depending on the outcome of the South Africa-England clash.
Earlier, Afghanistan set a competitive target of 273, building their innings around a solid 85 from Sediqullah Atal and a quickfire 67 from Azmatullah Omarzai.
Australia’s bowlers kept the scoring in check, with Ben Dwarshuis leading the attack, claiming 3-47 in his nine overs. Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa picked up two wickets each, while Glenn Maxwell and Nathan Ellis chipped in with one apiece.
Afghanistan’s innings had early setbacks, losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck. Ibrahim Zadran (22) and Rahmat Shah (12) struggled to convert their starts before Atal and Omarzai steadied the innings.
Australia will now chase 274 under lights. Afghanistan’s bowlers will need early breakthroughs to challenge the Australian batting lineup.
Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi played a cautious 49-ball 20 before getting caught off Zampa’s bowling.
Sediqullah Atal played a crucial knock of 85 off 95 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes before being dismissed by Spencer Johnson.
Australia struck early when Spencer Johnson dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over. Ibrahim Zadran made a steady 22 off 28 before falling to Adam Zampa, caught by Marnus Labuschagne.
Rahmat Shah (12 off 21) was the third batter dismissed, edging one behind off Glenn Maxwell to Josh Inglis at 91/3 in the 19th over.
Afghanistan won the toss against Australia and has opted to bat first. The match between Australia and Afghanistan in Group B, being played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, is critical for both teams’ bid for a semi-final spot.
Playing XI:
Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis †, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz †, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
