The crucial Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan vs Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore ended with no result. While both teams have shared one point each, Australia have advanced to the Semi-finals, and Afghanistan are almost out of the tournament. 

It was the must-win game for both teams to reach the Semis of the tournament, while Australia just needed to avoid a defeat. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chose to bat first after winning the toss. While Afghanistan scored 273 all out in 50 overs, Australia scored 109/1 in 12.5 overs before the rain interruption that forced the game to end with no result.

Azmatullah Omarzai fought bravely after Sediqullah Atal's 85

Afghan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (0) was dismissed in the first over as Spencer Johnson's yorker had no answer for the batter. There was a great swing for the Aussie pacers, but they failed to handle it properly at the early period of the match. However, after the first powerplay, opener Ibrahim Zadran (22) and Rahmat Shah (12) lost their wickets cheaply. 

For the fourth wicket, Sediqullah Atal and captain Shahidi had a 68-run partnership. While Shahidi scored 20 runs, Atal lost the wicket earlier after scoring 85 off 95 balls with six fours and three sixes. From 159/3, Afghans were once struggling at 199/7.

At late, Azmatullah Omarzai fought bravely to guide his team to a somehow challenging total. He scored 67 off 63 balls with the help of one four and five sixes before losing his wicket in the 50th over. 

Among the Aussie bowlers, Ben Dwarshuis (3/47) took three wickets, while Spencer Johnson (2/49) and Adam Zampa (2/48) bagged two wickets each. However, Aussie bowlers conceded 37 extras, including 17 wides. 

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Aussie batters slammed in first powerplay

In reply, Aussie openers fired up Afghan bowlers in the first powerplay. Australia scored 44 runs in 4.3 overs, when the opener Matthew Short was dismissed for 20 runs. Travis Head and captain Steven Smith had a 65-run partnership for the unbroken second wicket before rain ultimately interrupted the game. Australia scored 90/1 at the end of the first powerplay, while Head scored 59 not out off 40 balls with nine fours and one six. Skipper Smith scored 19 not out. Azmatullah Omarzai took the only wicket in the second innings. 

With this victory, Australia ended the group stage with four points and confirmed their place for the semi-finals. Despite having three points as South Africa, Afghanistan are unlikely to qualify for the knockout stages due to a massive difference in the net run rate. Even if South Africa lose against England on Saturday (March 1), the Proteas will qualify, except for suffering almost a 200+ runs defeat against England, which could open the chance for Afghanistan to magically reach to the Semi-finals.