Australia vs Afghanistan Highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Australia qualify for semis after AFG game abandoned

Australia 109/1 in 12.5 overs in chase of 274 versus Afghanistan.

Australia vs Afghanistan Highlights, ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Without breaking a sweat, Australia are through to the semi-finals of yet another ICC event. The Group B encounter between Australia and Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain and hence Australia qualified for the semi-finals. Afghanistan are all but out of the tournament as they need South Africa to lose by 207 runs or more against England to go through on a better net run-rate.

Earlier, Australia got off to a flying start in the chase of 274, courtesy a 34-ball fifty. However, rain played spoilsport and the game turned out to be a damp squib.

Previously, two catches were dropped in two consecutive overs. However, the third time proved to be the charm for Afghanistan as Gulbadin Naib pocketed an easy catch off the bowling of Azmatullah Omarzai to send Matthew Short back to the hut.

Earlier, Azmatullah Omarzaui's fighting 67-run knock off 63 balls helped Afghanistan post 273 runs on the board. Noor Ahmad was dismissed on the final ball of the innings as Australia bowled out Afghanistan. Australia dominated the bulk of the innings as they kept on taking wickets at regular intervals. However, Omarzai ensured that Afghanistan posted a fighting total on the board.

Earlier, Australia were firmly in control after quick wickets of Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib. Left-handed Sediqullah Atal missed out on a century as he walked back to the hut after scoring 85. Spencer Johnson got the much-needed wicket for Australia.

Earlier, Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal were putting Afghanistan in control; however, the introduction of Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell resulted in a quick couple of wickets as Zadran and Rahmat Shah lost their wickets.

Earlier, Spencer Johnson removed Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the very first over of the match to peg Afghanistan back in a do-or-die Group B encounter at the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore. Afghanistan won the toss earlier and opted to bat first under overcast conditions.

Highlights of Australia vs Afghanistan Champions Trophy match:

• Match abandoned due to rain. Australia qualify for semis while Afghanistan are all but out of the tournament.
• Rain halts play with Australia in full control of the 274 run chase. Australia 109/1 in 12.5 overs.
• Travis Head hits 34-ball fifty. Australia 96/1 after 11 overs. Smith and co in full control of chase.
• Australia lose Matthew Short in the fifth over as Gulbadin Naib pockets an easy catch. Australia 44/1.
• Australia's chase begins. Afghanistan eye early wickets to defend 273 to progress to the semis.
• Omarzai's 67-run knock off 63 balls propels Afghanistan to 273. Noor Ahmad was dismissed on the final ball as Afghanistan were bowled out.
• Rashid Khan loses his wicket to Ben Dwarshius in the 46th over. Afghanistan 235/8.
• Gulbadin Naib losses his wicket in the 40th over. Afghanistan 7 wickets down vs Australia in the do-or-die clash.
• Shahidi and Mohammad Nabi depart in quick succession, Afghanistan 182/6 in the 37th over.
• Spencer Johnson dismisses Sediqullah Atal for 85 in the 32nd over. Afghanistan 159/4.
• Sediqullah Atal brings up his 50 in the 23rd over of the innings.
• Glenn Maxwell dismisses Rahmat Shah in the 19th over! Afghanistan 94/3 after 20 overs.
• Adam Zampa removes Ibrahim Zadran for 22. Australia get a second wicket in the 14th over.
• Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal bring Afghanistan's innings back on track. After 10 overs, Afghanistan 54/1.
• Spencer Johnson removes Rahmanullah Gurbuz in the first over of the match. A scorching yorker gets the better of the right-hander's defence.