After their Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, February 25, was postponed owing to persistent rain, South Africa and Australia were obliged to split points. The two captains had to settle for one point each, so they couldn’t even come out for the toss.
With three points from their first two games and a net run rate (NRR) of +2.140, South Africa is still leading the points table. Australia, meanwhile, has three points from two games as well, but their net run rate is +0.475.
It’s interesting to note that in their last eight Champions Trophy outings, Australia has lost or been abandoned four times.
The washout in Rawalpindi makes things more difficult in Group B, even if Group A has already been settled, with tickets to the semi-finals already booked for India and New Zealand. Afghanistan and England, both of whom are in Group B, will now be hoping for improved weather in Lahore, where rain has been falling steadily on Tuesday.
Afghanistan vs. England will be an elimination match.
With the loser becoming the third team to be ousted from the ninth edition of the event, following Pakistan and Bangladesh, the England vs. Afghanistan match has become a virtual knockout match.
South Africa’s match against England at the National Stadium in Karachi on March 1 will mark the conclusion of Group B play. On March 4, the Dubai International Stadium will host the first semi-final. On March 5, the second semifinal will take place in Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. On March 9, the summit match will take place.
The only two teams that have won every game thus far are India and New Zealand. Pakistan and Bangladesh, however, have lost both of their games. Afghanistan and England, who are likewise without a victory, would like to start well on Tuesday.
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