Champions trophy 2025: Washout seals semi-final spot
Australia entered the semifinals of the Champions Trophy after their crucial Group B clash against Afghanistan was called off due to rain here on Friday.
The match was halted by a downpour when Australia were 109 for 1 in 12.5 overs, chasing a target of 274.
Despite the ground staffs’ efforts to clear the field, several pools of water remained on the pitch and the umpires ultimately declared the match abandoned after an inspection.
Buttler quits as England skipper
Karachi: Jos Buttler on Friday said he will step down as England white-ball captain after their last Champions Trophy group match against South Africa on Saturday, taking responsibility for his team’s exit from the eight-team tournament. England crashed out of the Champions Trophy after losing to Afghanistan. Buttler led England to glory in 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. However, his tenure also saw two disappointing title defences -- the 2023 50-over World Cup in India where England failed to make the semifinals after losing to Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
It’s the right decision for me, for the team. Hopefully, somebody else can come in and work closely alongside Baz (coach Brendon McCullum) to take the team back to where it needs to be. — Jos Buttler
The interruption came just an hour before the cut-off time for completing the match.
With the game called off, Australia advanced to the semifinals with four points. Their last match against South Africa in Rawalpindi was also abandoned.
At the time of interruption, Travis Head was in superb form, having scored 59 runs off 40 balls, including nine fours and one six.
His knock came after a lucky reprieve when Rashid Khan dropped him on six, diving at mid-on off Fazalhaq Farooqi.
Head capitalised on this opportunity and dominated the Afghanistan bowlers, particularly taking 28 runs off Farooqi’s 17 balls.
Skipper Steve Smith was at the other end, playing a more measured knock with 19 not out from 22 balls, including two boundaries.
With no result from this match, Afghanistan’s chances are slim and would depend on the result of Saturday’s match between South Africa and England.
If South Africa win, they will top the group with five points.
If England emerges victorious, South Africa and Afghanistan will both finish on three points, leading to a net run-rate (NRR) calculation.
Earlier in the day, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 273, largely due to Sediqullah Atal’s gritty 85 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s explosive 67.
Atal then took charge, initially struggling against Johnson’s movement, but settling in with crisp cover drives and flicks.
He found a steady partner in Hashmatullah Shahidi, and together they stitched a 68-run stand, navigating Australia’s spinners on a sluggish pitch. Atal brought up his second ODI fifty in style, launching Maxwell over mid-on for a six.
He later dismantled Zampa with two more sixes but fell 15 short of a maiden hundred, chipping a Johnson delivery to Steve Smith at short cover in the 32nd over.
His dismissal at 159/4 triggered a collapse, with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi (20 off 49) falling soon after, and Mohammad Nabi getting run out in a bizarre fashion.
From 182/6, Afghanistan struggled to keep the momentum, and at 235/8 after Rashid’s departure, they were staring at a modest total. All-rounder Omarzai, fresh from a match-winning 5/58 haul and 41-run contribution against England, then took charge.
Unfazed by the situation, the No. 6 batter played with calm assurance, reaching his eighth ODI fifty off 54 balls with a single off Dwarshuis in the 48th over.
