Fri Feb 28 10:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Afghanistan Upsets England, Complicates ICC Champions Trophy Semifinal Race
**Rawalpindi, Pakistan** – Afghanistan has thrown the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Group B race into chaos after a stunning eight-run victory over England. This follows an earlier washout between South Africa and Australia, further muddying the waters for the remaining semifinal spots.
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Afghanistan team, fresh off their 2023 ODI World Cup victory against England, repeated the feat, thwarting a valiant effort from Joe Root and the rest of the English batting lineup.
With two matches remaining in Group B, Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa are now battling for the two remaining semifinal berths alongside already-qualified India and New Zealand. The tournament has already been affected by two washouts; the Australia-South Africa match in Rawalpindi and the Pakistan-Bangladesh encounter.
A double washout in the remaining matches would award each of Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa one point each. This scenario would see Australia and South Africa progress to the semifinals with four points, while Afghanistan would be eliminated with three. The tense battle for the top two spots in Group B will continue to unfold in the upcoming fixtures.
First Piper 