Afghanistan vs Australia – ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Rain Plays Spoilsport
Match Overview
- Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Match: 10th Match, Group B
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Date: February 28, 2025
- Result: No result (Match abandoned due to rain)
The highly anticipated Afghanistan vs Australia clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 ended without a result due to persistent rain. Despite an exciting start, the weather had the final say, leading to both teams sharing points. This result secured Australia’s place in the semi-finals, while Afghanistan’s qualification chances now depend on England defeating South Africa by a huge margin.
Match Scorecard
Afghanistan Innings
Total: 273 all out (49.5 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sediqullah Atal | 85 | 108 | 8 | 2 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | 67 | 49 | 6 | 3 |
| Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) | 30 | 44 | 2 | 0 |
| Rashid Khan | 15 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| Others | DNB | – | – | – |
Top Australian Bowlers:
- Ben Dwarshuis: 3/47 (10 overs)
- Adam Zampa: 2/48 (9.5 overs)
- Spencer Johnson: 2/49 (10 overs)
Australia Innings
Total: 109/1 (12.5 overs) – Match abandoned due to rain
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Head | 59* | 40 | 8 | 2 |
| Steve Smith | 19* | 20 | 2 | 0 |
| Josh Inglis | 22 | 17 | 3 | 1 |
With Travis Head leading the charge, Australia was in a strong position before rain stopped play.
Post-Match Reactions
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan Captain):
“Unfortunate that the game was abandoned. We could have aimed for 300+, but their bowlers controlled the middle overs well. Omarzai and Atal played exceptionally under pressure. Our bowling wasn’t at its best, but we will learn from this.”
Steve Smith (Australia Captain):
“Our goal was to finish in the top two, and we achieved it. We bowled well to restrict them to 270, and Travis Head gave us a great start. It’s unfortunate the rain ended the match, but we are excited for the semi-finals.”
What’s Next for Afghanistan?
For Afghanistan to qualify, they need:
- England to beat South Africa by at least 207 runs if they bat first.
- If England bats second, they need to chase down 300 within 11.1 overs.
While mathematically possible, Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes now rest on an unlikely scenario.
Conclusion
Despite the weather interruption, the match showcased Afghanistan’s resilience and Australia’s dominance. With Australia securing their semi-final spot, the focus now shifts to the upcoming matches that will determine the final four teams.
Stay tuned for more updates on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025! 🌍🏏
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