CT 2025 Semi-Finals Scenario: How Australia, England, South Africa And Afghanistan Can Qualify — Explained

The Champions Trophy 2025 match between Australia and South Africa has been abandoned due to incessant rain in Rawalpindi. The game was called off without a ball being bowled. This has significant impact on the qualification scenarios of Group B.

Both Australia and South Africa have opened their campaign on a triumphant note. With the head-to-head fixture abandoned, the two teams have been provided with one point each, as per the ICC rules for wash-out matches.

South Africa and Australia now move to three points each. The Proteas remain at the top of Group B, thanks to a superior net run rate (NRR) of +2.140 compared to Australia's +0.475. South Africa will face England in their next game. A victory will make them qualify for the knockout stage as the group topper.

Meanwhile, Australia are slated to clash against Afghanistan in their third match of the Champions Trophy. If South Africa finishes with five points, Australia must win their next game to seal their berth in the semi-finals.

The situation will become more complicated if Australia and South Africa both lose their third matches. 

The other two teams in Group B have yet to open their accounts. Afghanistan can progress to the semi-finals with four points, only if they beat England and Australia in the remaining two matches. England, on the other hand, will need to overcome Afghanistan and South Africa to earn qualification. 

The equation is quite simple in Group A. India and New Zealand have already punched their tickets to the semi-finals with two victories in a row. The Men in Blue thumped Bangladesh in the campaign opener before securing a dominant win over arch-rivals Pakistan. New Zealand, have also defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh to qualify for the next round.

In a battle for the No. 1 spot, the Black Caps will take on India in their last group game. The highly anticipated clash will be hosted at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 2.