Afghanistan’s qualification for the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals relies on England’s performance against South Africa, needing a win by at least 207 runs or a rapid chase of the target. After their match with Australia was washed out, Afghanistan has three points and awaits the outcome of other matches to determine their fate.
For Afghanistan to advance to the semifinal of the 2025 Champions Trophy, England must achieve a significant victory over South Africa. Specifically, they need to win by 207 runs or more if batting first, or successfully chase down a score in less than 11.1 overs. This scenario arises after their match with Australia, held on February 28, was washed out due to rain, leaving both teams with one point each.
Following the washout, Australia secured a spot in the semifinals with a total of four points from three matches in Group B, while Afghanistan concluded the group stage with three points. Despite recording one win, one loss, and one draw, Afghanistan’s semi-final hopes depend on the outcome of the South Africa versus England match.
If South Africa loses to England by 207 runs or more, or if England reaches the target in under 11.1 overs, both teams will finish with three points. In that case, Afghanistan would qualify for the semifinals due to a superior net run rate. If the match becomes a no-result, South Africa and Australia will both move ahead, eliminating Afghanistan from the competition.
However, should South Africa defeat England, they would emerge as the group leaders, advancing to face the loser of the India against New Zealand semifinal match scheduled for the following Sunday. The dynamics of these matchups highlight the intricate calculations involved in tournament qualification, particularly for Afghanistan.
In conclusion, Afghanistan’s chances of qualifying for the Champions Trophy semifinals hinge on England defeating South Africa by a significant margin or in record time. With the rain-affected match against Australia leaving them with just three points, their fate now depends entirely on the performance of other teams in the upcoming matches.
Original Source: www.news18.com
