After their match against Afghanistan concluded without a result on Friday, February 28, Australia advanced to the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals.
Both teams competed virtually in the quarterfinals, with the winner earning a trip to the semifinals. Afghanistan will need to pray for a huge favour from the Englishmen in their match against South Africa, while the Australians go to the next round due to the draw.
Afghanistan chose to bat first on Friday after winning the toss. Rahmanullah Gurbaz again struggled with the bat and Spencer Johnson hit in the opening over. Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal established a strong foundation for the Blue Tigers with a brilliant partnership of 67 runs off 76 balls. The former left for 22, failing to build on his start. Soon after, Rahmat Shah also lost his life and Afghanistan fell to 91/3.
Atal was well-supported by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi as they put together a 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket. But both hitters were removed quickly after each other. Atal smashed three sixes and six fours in a calm knock of 85 from 95 balls.
Afghanistan was having trouble at 199/7 as Australia continued to take wickets in the middle overs. However, Afghanistan posted 273 in their 50 overs because to a brilliant knock from Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored 67 off 63 balls. The best bowler for the Australians was Ben Dwarshuis, who finished with statistics of 3/47 in nine overs.
When Matthew Short and Travis Head attacked the Afghans in retaliation, Australia got off to a great start. Omarzai got rid of the former for a 20 off 15 balls. Head hammered a half-century off of 34 balls as he proceeded to crush the Afghan bowling. Australia had sped to 109/1 in 12.5 overs before play was halted due to rain.
There were many puddles on the outfield following a strong downpour. After assessing the situation, the umpires made the decision to end the game. If England bats first or chases the mark within 11.1 overs (assuming a first-innings total of 300 in all scenarios), Afghanistan will now need to defeat South Africa by at least 207 runs in order to qualify.
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