How the washout of Australia-South Africa impacts the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals race
With India and New Zealand having booked their place into the semi-finals from Group A, all eyes are now on Group B, with all four teams still in the fray.
The Australia vs South Africa game at the Champions Trophy was abandoned without a ball being bowled, as a result of which the two teams split points in Group B.
The Proteas and the Aussies both have three points in their bank, with the former still on top of the points table owing to stronger NRR.
Here's what the aforementioned scenario means for the qualification chances of each of the four teams in the group:
Further intrigue in the #ChampionsTrophy Group B permutations after the Australia-South Africa washout 👀
— ICC (@ICC) February 25, 2025
Here's where each side stands 📝 pic.twitter.com/2AGTfSHVRn
South Africa
The Proteas will be the best suited to progress with one game in hand. A 107-run thumping win over Afghanistan boosted their NRR to +2.140. If South Africa seize a win against England in their final game, they will be through to the semis.
Even if they lose the game against England, South Africa can still progress if England don't finish with two wins from their remaining two games.
sa vs AFG Highlights.mp4 (2025-02-21 18:14:40Z)
Australia
The two-time Champions Trophy winners will also have their fate in their own hands. A win against Afghanistan in their final fixture will be enough for Australia to progress through to the semi-finals.
A defeat in their third game to Afghanistan will mean that Australia will have to rely on South Africa to beat England for progressing.
England
The road ahead for Jos Buttler and Co is that of a knockout tournament. Having lost their opening game against Australia, England will need to win both of their remaining games to have a shot at qualification.
The fate of all four teams in the group will hinge upon England's game against Afghanistan on Wednesday. If both Australia and South Africa lose their final group stage fixtures, the winner between England and Afghanistan will progress through to the semis.
Australia topple records in thrilling win | Match Highlights | Champions Trophy 2025
Afghanistan
A big loss at the hands of the Proteas put Afghanistan at the bottom of Group B. Facing England and Australia in their final two fixtures, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side will have to get the better of the two heavyweights to stand a chance at qualification
What this means is that each upcoming game in Group B of the Champions Trophy is potentially a knockout contest.
Champions Trophy 2025 Standings Predictor
Every qualification scenario from Group B
| AFG v ENG | AFG v AUS | ENG v SA | Qualifying Teams |
| AFG | AFG | ENG | AFG, SA/AUS* |
| AFG | AFG | SA | AFG, SA |
| AFG | AUS | ENG | AUS, SA |
| AFG | AUS | SA | AUS, SA |
| ENG | AFG | ENG | ENG, AUS/SA* |
| ENG | AFG | SA | AUS, SA |
| ENG | AUS | ENG | ENG, AUS |
| ENG | AUS | SA | AUS, SA |
*Depending on which team has the better Net Run Rate (NRR).