Australia advances to ICC Champions Trophy semifinals

KATHMANDU: Australia has secured a spot in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy despite their match against Afghanistan in Group B being abandoned due to rain on Friday.

With 4 points, Australia progressed to the final four.

This marks Australia’s first semifinal appearance in 16 years. Having won the title in 2009, Australia failed to win any matches in the 2013 and 2017 editions of the Champions Trophy.

In Lahore, Pakistan, Australia chased down a target of 274 runs, making a strong start. They scored 109 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in 12.5 overs before rain interrupted the game. Travis Head was unbeaten on 59, while Steve Smith was not out on 19. Matt Short was dismissed for 20.

Earlier, Afghanistan, after winning the toss, chose to bat first and posted a total of 273 runs, losing all wickets in 50 overs. Sadiqullah Atal and Asmatullah Omarzai played significant knocks. Atal scored 85 runs off 95 balls, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes, while Omarzai made 67 runs off 63 balls, including 1 four and 5 sixes.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed 20, opener Ibrahim Zadran scored 22, Rashid Khan made 19, and Rahmat Shah added 12. The rest of the players failed to reach double figures.

Australia’s Ben Dwarshuis was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets. Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa both took 2 wickets, while Nathan Ellis and Glenn Maxwell took 1 wicket each.

With Afghanistan’s slim chances of advancing now over, the final semifinal qualification scenarios will be decided after the match between England and South Africa. If South Africa wins on Saturday, they will finish as group winners. Even if England wins by a narrow margin, South Africa will still make the semifinals. Only if England wins by a large margin will Afghanistan’s hopes remain alive.

In Group A, New Zealand and India have already secured their spots in the semifinals, while Pakistan and Bangladesh have been eliminated from the competition.