The battle for a semi-final spot in Group B of the Champions Trophy 2025 is intense. Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan are all in contention, while England is eliminated. With only one match left for each team, the net run rate (NRR) and match results will decide the fate of the teams. Fans are eagerly awaiting the final group-stage matches to see who will make it through.
- Australia and South Africa have 3 points each, with SA leading on NRR.
- Afghanistan has 2 points but can qualify with a win over Australia.
- England is out of the tournament.
- Rain could impact the qualification scenario.
Scenario 1: Australia Wins Against Afghanistan
If Australia defeats Afghanistan in their final match on February 28, they will finish with 5 points, securing their semi-final spot. South Africa, already at 3 points, would qualify as long as they don’t suffer a huge defeat against England.
If South Africa loses by a small margin, their strong NRR (+2.140) should still push them through. Afghanistan, in this case, will be eliminated regardless of their performance.
Scenario 2: Afghanistan Upsets Australia
If Afghanistan stuns Australia, they will move to 4 points, overtaking Australia (stuck at 3 points). Their qualification then depends on South Africa’s match against England:
- If South Africa loses, Australia can still qualify only if their NRR remains better than SA’s.
- South Africa has a huge NRR advantage (+2.140), meaning they would need a massive defeat for Australia to surpass them.
Scenario 3: Rain Washes Out Matches
If both matches (Australia vs. Afghanistan & South Africa vs. England) are abandoned due to rain, teams will get 1 point each. The standings will then be:
| Team | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 4 | +2.140 |
| Australia | 4 | +0.475 |
| Afghanistan | 3 | -0.990 |
With South Africa and Australia finishing in the top two, Afghanistan’s dream will end. Rain could help SA and AUS avoid a pressure-filled final game.
The Net Run Rate (NRR) Factor
NRR plays a crucial role in determining which teams qualify:
- South Africa (+2.140) is in a strong position unless they face a historic defeat to England.
- Australia (+0.475) is safe unless they lose to Afghanistan and South Africa narrowly loses to England.
- Afghanistan (-0.990) must not only win but win big against Australia to improve their NRR enough to qualify.
The semi-final race is heating up with Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan battling for two spots. AUS vs. AFG is a must-watch game, as it will decide Afghanistan’s fate. Weather, net run rate, and match results will determine the top two teams from Group B.
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