- Afghanistan has completely changed the equation of the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 by defeating England by 8 runs. After this victory, Afghanistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals have increased significantly.
Champions Trophy 2025: An exciting match was played between Afghanistan and England in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday, 26 February. In this match, Afg first batted brilliantly and then bowled stormy and defeated the English team by 8 runs. Afghani’s victory has completely opened up the equation of the group stage. While the England team is completely out of the race for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025, Afghanistan, Australia, and South Africa still have hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Afghanistan has a chance to reach the semi-finals
After defeating England, Afghani will have a golden opportunity to make it to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025, as they still have one match left, which they have to play against Australia in Lahore on Friday 28 February. If Afghani manages to win this match, then it will directly enter the semi-finals with four points, but with the Kangaroo team losing, their journey will end in the group stage match itself.
Afghanistan has played two matches in this tournament so far, in which they lost against South Africa, while Afghanistan defeated England by 8 runs, after which all the matches of Group A have become even more exciting. At the same time, in terms of net run rate, South Africa’s position is much better than Australia’s, after which if Australia loses then their elimination will be certain.
Africa reaches the semi-finals despite losing!
In Group A of the Champions Trophy 2025, there will be a tough competition between South Africa, Afghanistan, and Australia to make it to the semi-finals. At the same time, South Africa will face England on March 1. Currently, South Africa has 3 points with one win in 2 matches, along with this, their net run rate is also 2.140, which is the best in this tournament (Champions Trophy 2025).
But if England’s team manages to defeat South Africa by a huge margin, then it can have a direct impact on their net run rate, after which their dream of reaching the semi-finals can remain just a dream. If South Africa has to make it to the semi-finals, then they will have to win against England at any cost or the margin of defeat should be so small that their net run rate is not affected much.
It’s or die match for Australia
Afghanistan has now directly benefited from the cancellation of the match between Australia and South Africa, because on March 28, Australia and Afghanistan are going to clash at Lahore ground. If Afghanistan manages to defeat Australia in this match, then their elimination will be confirmed. At the same time, with four points, Afghanistan’s entry into the semi-finals will also be confirmed.
If Afghanistan loses this match, then it will be confirmed that Australia will play in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025. This match will be a do-or-die for both teams because whichever team loses this match, their dream of reaching the semi-finals will be shattered here. Let us tell you that earlier Afghanistan had defeated Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024 and almost defeated Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023.