Afghanistan and Australia will lock horns in a crucial ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Friday.
However, there is a high chance of rain in the city, which could significantly impact both the teams. In case the match is abandoned, Afghanistan and Australia will share a point each. In such a senario, Australia, which also saw its match against South Africa in Rawalpindi being washed out, will qualify for the semifinals with a tally of four points, while Afghanistan’s chances of progressing to the last-four stage will be significantly dented.
The Afghans will have three points in case of a washout on Friday, and will need England to beat South Africa, which already has three points in the bag, by a huge margin on Saturday.
However, South Africa, which currently tops the Group B standings, boasts of the best Net Run Rate (+2.140) in the group, and it is highly unlikely that its NRR will dip below that of Afghanistan (-0.990).
England, which lost its first two matches of the tournament, has already being knocked out of the tournament and can only play a limited role as party pooper.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Points Table
Group B
| Team | Mat. | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
| South Africa | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | +2.140 |
| Australia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | +0.475 |
| Afghanistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.990 |
| England | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -0.305 |
(Updated before AFG vs AUS match on February 28)