Australia are through to the semifinals of the 2025 Champions Trophy after their Group B clash against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain. The rain stopped play when Australia were at 109/1 in 12.5 overs in their run chase of 274. Travis Head was leading the chase through a quickfire 59 not out off 40 deliveries, with Steve Smith alongside him unbeaten on 19. It’s also the sixth game a game featuring Australia has been abandoned in the Champions Trophy. Afghanistan are on the brink of elimination from the competition. England need to win by a margin of over 207 runs and for South Africa’s net run rate to slip below theirs to enter the semifinals. The match was played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the home of the Pakistan Cricket Association (PCA) Australia are the defending champions of the competition, having won the tournament in 2012 and 2013. Afghanistan were the runners-up in the 2013 edition, with England winning the previous two matches in the group stage. The final will be played on February 28.
