Can Afghanistan Qualify for Semifinals?

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Afghanistan’s win against England has spiced up the semifinal race.
England’s loss leaves Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa in contention for Group B’s semifinal spots.
Afghanistan needs to beat Australia to qualify for the semifinals.
South Africa and Australia can also qualify despite losing, but net run rate will be crucial.
The semifinal race in Group B has become incredibly exciting.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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Afghanistan stunned England with their eight-run victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the semi-finals. This win has injected excitement into the tournament, making Afghanistan a strong contender. Let’s delve into the qualification scenarios.

On February 26 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Afghanistan opted to bat first and posted a competitive score of 325/7 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to a sensational century by Ibrahim Zadran (177 off 146). In response, England were bundled out for 317 in 49.5 overs, with Azmatullah Omarzai picking up a five-wicket haul (5/58). As a result, England were knocked out of the tournament, leaving Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan in contention for the two semi-final spots in Group B.

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Following their victory, Afghanistan now sits in third place in their group, with one win from two matches and a net run rate of 0.160. On the other hand, South Africa and Australia hold the top two spots, each with three points. Afghanistan will next face Australia on Friday, February 28, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Their win against England has set the stage for a thrilling knockout match between all three teams in Group B.

Qualification Scenarios for South Africa and Australia

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Afghanistan needs to beat Australia in their upcoming game to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy for the second consecutive time. Similarly, Australia can also qualify directly with a win over Afghanistan, taking South Africa with them to the semi-finals.

However, if Australia ends up losing their last game, they will have to depend on the outcome of South Africa’s final match against England on March 1. If South Africa also loses to England, they will need to ensure that they have a better net run rate than Australia to progress to the semi-finals. Thus, cricket fans can anticipate a series of captivating clashes in Group B. This is a golden opportunity for Afghanistan.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

Afghanistan defeated England by 8 runs in the Champions Trophy.
England has been eliminated from the tournament.
Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa are in contention for the semi-final spots in Group B.
Afghanistan needs to win against Australia to qualify for the semi-finals.
Net run rate will play a crucial role in determining which teams advance to the semi-finals.