Fri Feb 28 07:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Rain Threatens to Decide Australia’s Champions Trophy Fate
**Lahore, Pakistan** – The ICC Champions Trophy Group B is on a knife’s edge, with Australia’s semi-final hopes hanging precariously in the balance ahead of their crucial clash against Afghanistan on Friday. Both teams currently sit on three points each, behind group leaders South Africa (also on three points).
Australia, having won their opener against England before a rain-affected no-result against South Africa, need a victory to secure their place in the semi-finals. However, a significant weather impediment looms large, with Accuweather forecasting a 71% chance of rain in Lahore.
A washout would award both teams a point each, enough for Australia to progress on four points. However, Afghanistan’s chances would remain mathematically alive but highly improbable, given their inferior net run rate (-0.990) compared to South Africa (+2.140). Even with a point from a washed-out game, Afghanistan would need a highly unlikely significant South African defeat against England on Saturday to snatch a semi-final spot.
Afghanistan enter the match buoyed by their upset win over England on Wednesday, following a heavy defeat to South Africa. The match promises to be a tense encounter, with the unpredictable Lahore weather potentially playing a more decisive role than the bat and ball.
First Piper 