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ICC Champions Trophy: Group B qualification scenarios after Australia vs New Zealand washout
A washout is always a sore sight for eager cricket fans, especially when it occurs at an ICC championship. The audience, however, had to endure the disappointment as incessant drizzle in Rawalpindi led to the Australia vs South Africa clash being abandoned. With even the toss being washed out, Australia and South Africa, both of whom had won their campaign openers, shared a point each. While the teams had to settle for one point apiece, the washout has intensified the tussle in Group B.
Group A has already been decided, with India and New Zealand securing their spots in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals. Meanwhile, the hosts and defending champions, Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, stand eliminated from the race after suffering defeats against the Kiwis and their arch-rivals in blue.
ICC Champions Trophy: How does the Group B qualification shapes up?
With the washout in Rawalpindi leading to both Australia and South Africa earning a point each, they now sit at three points apiece after two matches. However, South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, holds the top spot in Group B due to a superior net run rate. South Africa won their ICC Champions Trophy campaign opener against Afghanistan by a huge margin of 107 runs. While Australia stunned England by chasing down 351 in their first group stage match. With Africa extracting a victory bigger than Australia's win over England, the Proteas sit superior in the Group B table currently. Moreover, this abandoned fixture has now brought England and Afghanistan back into contention, despite both teams losing their tournament openers.
With the race for the knockout stages intensifying, all four teams in Group B still have a chance to secure a semifinal berth. Meanwhile, India and New Zealand have already booked their spots from Group A. India is set to play its semifinal on March 4 at the Dubai International Stadium, while New Zealand will feature in the second semifinal at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on March 5. The Australia vs South Africa washout has raised the stakes for the remaining Group B fixtures, turning them into virtual knockout encounters.
South Africa emerge as the favorites for ICC Champions Trophy semi-final qualification from Group B
Among the teams vying for a semifinal spot, South Africa appears to be in the strongest position. Their tournament began with a commanding 107-run victory over Afghanistan, significantly boosting their net run rate. A win against England in their final group-stage match would be enough to see them through to the last four. However, even if South Africa were to lose against England, they could still progress, provided England fails to defeat Afghanistan in their upcoming fixture.
Qualification scenario for Australia
Australia, a two-time Champions Trophy winner, has its fate in its own hands as well. A victory over Afghanistan in their last group-stage encounter will confirm their place in the semifinals. If Australia suffers a defeat at the hands of Afghanistan, the side led by Steve Smith side will be left relying on South Africa to beat England to keep their hopes alive.
Can England and Afghanistan progress?
For England, who lost their opening game to Australia, the equation is a straight equation. Both of their remaining matches against Afghanistan and South Africa are must-win encounters to stay in the competition. The England vs Afghanistan fixture could be the deciding factor in Group B. If both Australia and South Africa fail to win their last matches, the winner of this contest will advance to the semifinals. Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, must secure victories over both England and Australia to keep their semifinal hopes alive after their opening loss to South Africa.
