Australia advance to semi-finals after rain washes out Afghanistan clash

Australia secured a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals after their crucial match against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

With this result, Australia finished with four points, having won against England and had their other two matches washed out.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle for qualification. Even if England defeats South Africa on Saturday, Afghanistan's net run rate disadvantage puts them at risk of elimination.

Before the match was abandoned, Australia was 109/1 in 12.5 overs, chasing Afghanistan’s 273-run total. Travis Head's fifty gave Australia early momentum, while Azmatullah Omarzai dismissed Matthew Short (20 off 15 balls) to break the opening stand.

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Earlier, Afghanistan posted 273/10 in 50 overs, thanks to Sediqullah Atal’s 85 and Omarzai’s 67 off 63 balls. Despite a steady start, Australia’s bowlers fought back, with Ben Dwarshuis taking three wickets, while Spencer Johnson and Adam Zampa claimed two each.

This was a crucial match, as a win would have guaranteed a semi-final berth for either side. Afghanistan, however, remains winless against Australia in four ODI encounters.