ICC Champions Trophy: Kangaroos into the semis as Australia vs Afghanistan ends in a washout

If it's not their form against them, then the weather plays against Afghanistan. That is the tale to pick from the Australia vs Afghanistan ICC Champions Trophy clash. The virtual knockout ended in a washout at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Australia, already at three points from their previous washout against England, moved up to four, while Afghanistan had to settle for three. The Kangaroos, having secured a win against England, have now qualified for the penultimate stage after two washouts granted them two additional points. Afghanistan, despite their commendable performance against England in the last match, fell victim to the effects of their opening loss to South Africa, which ultimately cost them in Lahore.

ICC Champions Trophy: Australia vs Afghanistan washout in Lahore propels the Kangaroos to semis

Eager fans keen on watching Afghanistan avenge their 2023 ODI World Cup loss against Australia were robbed off the scene as rain lashed Lahore. While the first innings fared unhindered after Afghanistan opted to bat first, the second half of the game was halted after 12.5 overs of Australia’s chase. The washout confirmed the Kangaroo's place in the semifinals alongside India and New Zealand. Now, Afghanistan's only lifeline rests on an unlikely scenario unfolding in Saturday’s clash between South Africa and England in the last Group B clash at the ICC Champions Trophy.

Before the weather took control, Travis Head had already put Afghanistan under immense pressure with a blazing half-century. He and Matthew Short made an explosive start, taking advantage of Fazalhaq Farooqi’s struggles with swing. Farooqi’s opening over leaked 18 runs, Azmatullah Omarzai’s went for 14, and another 10 came from Farooqi’s second, leaving Australia cruising at 42/0 after four overs in their pursuit of 273. Afghanistan, often witnessed to fold under pressure, succumbed to their vices, dropping both the batters at crucial points in the chase.

A redemption finally arrived as Matthew Short was held by Gulbadin Naib at mid-on. Steve Smith then walked in and immediately announced his authority, driving his first two deliveries for boundaries. Australia raced to 50 inside five overs, and Head continued to capitalize on his luck, hammering Omarzai for three consecutive fours in the ninth over. The Aussies finished the powerplay at 90/1, indicating at a similar result that eventually arrived for Afghanistan with the washout.

As soon as Australia crossed the 100-run mark in the chase, the rain set in, eventually sealing the fate of the game. An hour-long wait saw umpires inspect the field while a lone super-sopper attempted to clear the puddles in the outfield. But with Australia's innings falling short of the 20-over mark, the DLS method couldn't be applied, forcing an abandonment. Indicated by Afghanistan's turn up in the chase, the rain in Lahore seemed to have saved the fans and the team of enduring another blow at the hands of the Aussies.

However, despite the disappointing finish, Afghanistan had once again displayed the tenacity that saw them topple England. Their batting effort against Australia reflected their ability to challenge the top teams, showing resilience in crucial moments. While Ibrahim Zadran, the star of the last England vs Afghanistan show, failed, another star rose to the occassion against the Kangaroos.

Sediqullah Atal led the charge with an impressive 85 off 95 balls, anchoring the first 10 overs alongside Zadran. However, Australia clawed back with spin, unsettling Afghanistan in the middle overs. A three-wicket collapse between the 11th and 20th overs saw them lose momentum, but Atal and skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi stabilized the innings. Atal’s dismissal in the 32nd over triggered another slide, reducing Afghanistan to 199/7 by the 40th over. Just when it seemed they were running out of steam, the ICC ODI Player of the Year stepped up. 

Afghanistan's victory against England had a key role of Azmatullah Omarzai who pitched in the with the bat as well as the ball. The all-rounder scored in the 40s, aiding Afghanistan's cause of crossing the 300-run mark against England. In the chase, it was all Omarzai's doing. The seamer dismantled England with his career-best spell of 5/58 in Rawalpindi in the chase that saw England falling short of 8 runs. Against Australia this time, Omarzai stepped up with a crucial 67 off 63 balls, steering the team to a competitive 273-run total.

Shahidi had banked on a slowing pitch aiding his spinners in the second half, but the weather denied Afghanistan that opportunity, leaving them with a cruel end to their semifinal aspirations. Now, just the South Africa vs England game remains. England is already eliminated but can help Afghanistan. However, even if England manages to beat the Proteas, they need to do it by a huge margin, big enough to push South Africa's NRR lower than Afghanistan's. That's an unlikely scenarios and the scene seems set for South Africa to finish at the top of Group B standings and joining India, New Zealand, and Australia in the semis.