Australia has reached the semifinals of the Champions Trophy after their match against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain. At the time of the disruption, Australia was 109 for 1, chasing Afghanistan’s total of 273. Afghanistan’s chances of advancing now hinge on the results of South Africa’s match against England.
Australia progressed to the semifinals of the Champions Trophy after their pivotal Group B encounter with Afghanistan was called off due to rain in Lahore on Friday. The match was interrupted with Australia at 109 for 1 in 12.5 overs, while chasing a target of 274 runs. Despite efforts from the ground staff, the pitch was deemed unplayable, leading the umpires to abandon the match just before the completion cut-off time.
With the abandonment, Australia secured four points, having also had their previous match against South Africa similarly cancelled. At the time of the rain disruption, Travis Head was leading the charge with an aggressive 59 runs off 40 deliveries, showcasing his scoring prowess against Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Head capitalized on his fortune after being dropped on six by Rashid Khan. His solid performance included nine boundaries and a six, while Steve Smith contributed 19 not out from 22 balls. Afghanistan’s hopes of advancing now hinge on the outcome of South Africa’s next game against England, with various outcomes affecting their chances.
Earlier, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 273 runs, largely thanks to Sediqullah Atal and Azmatullah Omarzai’s efforts. After a shaky start, Atal scored an impressive 85, while Omarzai added a robust 67, including two massive sixes that significantly boosted the total. Their partnership helped Afghanistan recover after they found themselves struggling at 235 for 8.
Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa led the Australian bowlers, with Johnson taking key early wickets, while Omarzai’s late surge helped establish a respectable total. The match highlighted Afghanistan’s resilience, but their elimination appears likely unless they receive considerable assistance from the results of other matches, particularly involving South Africa and England.
In summary, Australia has advanced to the Champions Trophy semifinals following a rain-abandoned match against Afghanistan. Despite being in a strong position, the match’s premature conclusion left Afghanistan’s chances of qualifying precarious, depending on subsequent matches in Group B. Ultimately, Australia remains positioned well for the semifinals with valuable points from their matches.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
