ICC Champions Trophy: Rain May End Afghanistan’s Semi-Final Hopes

The ongoing ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan has been heavily impacted by rain, disrupting multiple matches. Two games—Australia vs South Africa and Bangladesh vs Pakistan—scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi have already been abandoned due to rain. Now, the crucial match between Australia and Afghanistan, set to take place in Lahore, is also under threat from adverse weather conditions.

The stakes are high for both teams, as the winner of this match will secure a direct spot in the semi-finals, irrespective of other results. However, the weather forecast suggests a 71% chance of rain in Lahore on Friday, increasing the likelihood of the match being abandoned.

What Happens if the Match is Canceled?

Afghanistan, coming off an impressive victory against England, is eager to continue its momentum and secure a semi-final berth. However, if rain forces the match to be called off, both teams will receive one point each. In that scenario, Australia, with four points, will qualify for the semi-finals directly, while Afghanistan, with just three points, will be eliminated from the tournament.

Additionally, South Africa, which also has three points, will qualify for the semi-finals regardless of the outcome of its upcoming match against England. This is because South Africa's net run rate ( 2.140) is significantly higher than Afghanistan’s (-0.999).

Afghanistan fans are hoping the rain stays away, allowing their team to fight for a spot in the semi-finals. They are also optimistic about a repeat of the upset they pulled off against Australia in the 2024 T20 World Cup.