The tenth match of the 2025 Champions Trophy between Afghanistan and Australia was unfortunately abandoned due to rain. The match, held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, produced no result, leaving both teams with a 1-1 point share.
Match Report: The tenth match of the 2025 Champions Trophy between Afghanistan and Australia was disrupted by rain. Played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, the exciting match ended without a result, resulting in both teams receiving one point each. This outcome secures Australia's place in the semi-finals with 4 points, while Afghanistan's path becomes considerably more challenging.
Afghanistan's Hopes Rest on England vs. South Africa
Afghanistan still retains a slim chance of reaching the semi-finals, but their qualification entirely depends on the upcoming match between England and South Africa. A substantial victory for England over South Africa would be necessary for Afghanistan to progress. Currently, both Afghanistan and South Africa are tied on 3 points each.
Sedikulla Atal's Stellar Performance for Afghanistan
Batting first, Afghanistan posted a total of 273 runs in their 50 overs. Their start was shaky, with opening batsman Rahmanullah Gurbaz failing to score. Ibrahim Zadran and Sedikulla Atal then steadied the innings, forging a 67-run partnership. However, Zadran's innings ended at 22 runs from 28 balls.
Sedikulla Atal played a magnificent knock, scoring 85 runs from 95 balls, narrowly missing a century. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi contributed 20 runs, while Mohammad Nabi managed 1, Gulbadin Naib 4, and Rashid Khan 19. Ultimately, Azmatullah Omarzai's aggressive 67 runs from 63 balls propelled the team to a respectable total.
Australia's Aggressive Start, but Rain Marred the Match
Australia began their chase aggressively. Matthew Short scored 20 runs from 15 balls before being dismissed in the fifth over. Travis Head then accelerated, scoring a quick 59 runs from 40 balls, while captain Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 19 from 22. Australia reached 98/1 in 10 overs before persistent rain halted play. The subsequent downpour prevented any further play, resulting in the match being abandoned and a 1-1 point allocation for both sides.
Australia Returns to Champions Trophy Semi-Finals After 16 Years
This result sees Australia reach the Champions Trophy semi-finals after a 16-year absence. Their last title win in the tournament was in 2009. Their semi-final berth firmly establishes them as b contenders for the trophy. All eyes now turn to the England vs. South Africa match, which will determine Afghanistan's fate in the tournament.
