Australia advance to ICC Champions Trophy semis after washout against Afghanistan

Australia blasted their way into the semi-finals with four points when their last Group B game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Afghanistan was called off due to wet outfield. Both teams shared one point each.

Chasing 274, Australia had reached 109-1 in 12.5 overs when the game was stopped due to rain at 7pm. As per rules, Australia needed to play a minimum of 20 overs, but this could not be made possible.

The outfield and bowling zones were not properly dried up despite efforts. The main impediment was that there was only one super sopper for drying up the pitch, and it took a lot of time.

Spectators leave the stands after the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Australia and Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 28, 2025.AFP

Australia had the approaching rain in mind while chasing and tried to go after the bowlers right from the start. Matthew Short and Travis Head, both dropped early, gave a flying 44-run start to Australia in 4.3 overs.

Azmatullah Omarzai broke the stand by removing Short, who was caught in the deep by Gulbadin Naib, for a 15-ball 20 which included three fours and a six.

Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai (C) celebrates with teammate Rahmanullah Gurbaz after taking the wicket of Australia's Matthew Short at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 28, 2025. AFP

Travis Head continued with his aggressive approach, reaching his 17th ODI fifty in 34 balls. Head was on 59 not out off 40 balls and skipper Steve Smith was on 19 not out when rain interrupted the match. Head had hit one six and nine fours from 40 balls, while Smith had hammered two fours from 22 deliveries.

Omarzai finished with 1-43 in five overs, while left-armer Fazalhaq Farooqi conceded 32 runs in three overs.

Earlier, after opting to bat first following a wet few hours due to overnight heavy rain, Afghanistan faced trouble in the initial overs with pacers Ben Dwarshuis and Spencer Johnson producing bounce and swing which troubled the batsmen.

Sediqullah Atal (85) and Azmatullah Omarzai (67) were key to Afghanistan's batting effort, which at times was dented due to wickets falling at regular intervals. Atal performed well in the middle overs, and Omarzai took charge in the final overs after settling down. Sediqullah's 95-ball 85 featured three sixes and six fours.

Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai plays a shot at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 28, 2025. AFP

After Afghanistan lost their opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) cheaply once again, Sediqullah added 67 runs for the second wicket with Ibrahim Zadran, who was removed by leggie Adam Zampa in his first over. Zadran, who had hit a record 177 against England in the previous game, struck two fours in his 28-ball 22. Spinner Glenn Maxwell soon had the wicket of Rahmat Shah (12) to leave Afghanistan at 81-3 in the 19th over.

However, at this stage, the well-set Sediqullah dominated a 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi before Sediqullah was removed by pacer Spencer Johnson, denting Afghanistan's hopes of posting a big total.

Following his departure, Afghanistan lost Hashmatullah Shahidi (20) before Mohammad Nabi was run out for just one, leaving the Afghans reeling at 182-6 in the 37th over. Pacer Nathan Ellis then removed Gulbadin Naib (4), who skied the ball with keeper Josh Inglis taking an easy catch.

Australia's Nathan Ellis (C) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib (L) at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore on February 28, 2025.AFP

Rashid Khan used the long handle, scoring a 17-ball 19 with two fours to give Afghanistan hope of posting a fighting total. He was removed by pacer Ben Dwarshuis, caught by Glenn Maxwell in the deep.

Azmatullah Omarzai, who brought up his eighth fifty off 54 balls, went after the bowlers in the final overs and hammered five sixes and one four in his 63-ball 67, which enabled the Afghans to reach a good total. Pacer Ben Dwarshuis (3-47) was highly impressive with the ball, while his new-ball partner Spencer Johnson (2-59 in 10) and leggie Adam Zampa (2-48 in 8) were the others who bowled well.

On Saturday, South Africa face England at the National Stadium in Karachi in their last Group B match. The Proteas also have three points but they have a very good net run-rate. Afghanistan (3 points) is now on the brink of elimination.