Follow UsAfghanistan are very much alive in the race for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, thanks to their eight-run win over England at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 26 (Wednesday). As a result, Jos Buttler and his men are knocked out of the Champions Trophy.
England are done and dusted, leaving Afghanistan, Australia and South Africa to fight for two semi-final spots from Group B.
Here, we look at qualification scenarios for each of these three teams.
(Matches 2, Points 2, NRR -0.990)
The equation is straightforward for Afghanistan: beat Australia in Lahore on February 28 and qualify for the semis. If they lose, they are out, and Australia and South Africa will qualify.
If Afghanistan’s match against Australia is washed out, Australia and South Africa will qualify.
(Matches 2, Points 3, NRR +0.475)
Australia’s qualification scenario is ALMOST identical to Afghanistan’s. They have to beat Afghanistan to confirm their spot in the knockouts.
Let’s talk about the ‘almost’ part. If Australia lose to Afghanistan by a small margin, they will need England to beat South Africa by a MASSIVE margin. The Proteas’ NRR is +2.140, and it will take some beating to get it down below Australia’s.
If Afghanistan’s match against Australia is washed out, Australia will qualify for the semis.
(Matches 2, Points 3, NRR +2.140)
South Africa are the best-placed team in Group B. They will know exactly what to do, considering Afghanistan-Australia is happening a day before their game against England.
If Temba Bavuma and Co. get the better of England on March 1, they will confirm their place in the semis. Even if they lose, South Africa will have to make sure they don’t lose by an insane margin.
Even if it’s a washout, the Proteas will progress further.
If both the Afghanistan-Australia and South Africa-England matches are washed out, Australia and South Africa will qualify from Group B.