LAHORE: Australia has sealed its place in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals after the rain on Friday washed out their last group-stage fixture against Afghanistan.
Australia were in total control of the chase when rain arrived, having scored 109-1 in 12.5 overs. This strong performance was driven by Travis Head’s brilliant batting, who smashed 59 runs off 40 balls. His innings included nine fours and one six.
The opening pair of Matthew Short and Head, gave a flying start to Australia’s pursuit of a target of 274.
The duo put together a brisk 44-run stand in 4.3 overs, until all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai claimed the wicket of Short, giving Afghanistan a much needed breakthrough.
Short scored 20 off 15 deliveries, laced with three fours and one six.
After the wicket, the skipper Steve Smith joined Head at the crease and the pair added 65 runs together, placing Australia in a commanding position. Both Smith, who scored 19 runs, and Head remained unbeaten, play was halted due to rain.
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Australia has successfully secured a semi-final spot in the tournament. After their last two matches ended without results, they finished with four points. This achievement makes them the first team from Group B to advance to the Final Four.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan still has a chance to progress in the tournament. However, even if England wins their upcoming match against South Africa on Saturday, Afghanistan will face difficulties, as they are significantly trailing the Proteas in terms of net run rate.
Earlier, Sediqullah Atal’s half-century and Azmatullah Omarzai’s blitz powered Afghanistan to 273 against Australia in the crucial encounter of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which was played here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
After opting to bat in overcast conditions, Afghanistan were bowled out on 273 in their allotted 50 overs.
Sediqullah Atal remained the top scorer with 85 off 95 balls, laced with half a dozen fours and three sixes.
Although Mitchell Starc is not part of Australia’s squad for the multi-nation tournament, Spencer Johnson delivered a Starc-like identical yorker on the fifth ball of the opening over to end Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s innings on a duck.
Ibrahim Zadran, the centurion from the previous match, joined Sediqullah Atal to steady Afghanistan with a 67-run stand for the second wicket. The duo lifted their team to 70-2 in 13.3 overs in pace-friendly conditions.
Adam Zampa broke the crucial partnership with the wicket of Zadran (22). It was not too long for Australia to strike again as Rahmat Shah (12) was caught behind off Glenn Maxwell’s bowling, leaving Afghanistan in deep trouble on a score of 91-3.
But Sediqullah remained firm at one end and scored a vital half-century. He added a 68-run partnership with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, before being dismissed in the 31st over.
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Wickets fell regularly for Afghanistan; they were 199-7 in 39 overs at one stage. But Azmatullah Omarzai’s (67) blitz lower down the order took his team to a competitive total of 273.
For Australia, Ben Dwarshuis remained the stand-out bowler with his figures of 3-47 in his ten overs. Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa bagged two wickets apiece.
Playing XIs
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi
Australia: Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey(w), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
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